The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1860-10-27
Coz. Moore DOdges the Questions.

We published in our issue Of last week
the interesting correspondence between
Gen. G.. Mason Graham and Gov. Moore,
upon what have been designated the Nor
folk questions. As is well known, these
questions were propoundcd to Mr. Doug
las at Norfolk by Mr. Lamb, a Breckin-
ridge elector, and were promptly, boldly
and fully answcrcd--aye, answered in
way that met the applause and approba-
ton of Union-loviug men everywhere.
Mr. Lamb at the same time pledged him
sell to Mr.. Douglas that he would submit
the questions to his candidate, Mr.. Brock
mridsr. Mr.. Lamb accordingly sent them
to breckenridge, but he, like Gov. Moore
and his other followers, cannot be induced
to touch them with a forty foot pole.
Gen. Graham, ike all good men and
true having a large interest at stake in
the country, and feeling a deep and anx
Gus solicitude in the political aspect of the
times, submitted to Gov. Moore, in a peril
ncnt, respectful but foreible manner, these
neutrality-suspicious. in effect the same as
those answered by Mr.. Douglas-questions
that should be propounded to every stump
speaker who advocates the election Of
Breckenridge.
The questions submitted by Gen. Ora
him are as follows:
LIST. If Mr. Lincoln shall be elected President
of the United States in accordance with either of
the moses prescribed in the Constitution will Won
deem that a sufficient and Unsuitable cause for A
dissolution of this Unonl
I'd, And if so, would You be in favor Of couu-
sci and advise resistance to his Inauguration or
I'd. Would you be- in favor of, counsel and adj
wise withdrawal from this Union, and the forma
ton of Southern confrdoracyi
4th. And in either case would Won in your Fx-
ecui!ve capacity either convene the General As
sembly of the State, or call convention of the
people in order 10 naugura:c measures for resist
ance, or dissolution
In reading the reply of Gov. Moore Il,
Gen. Graham, it is evident that he WAS
sorely perplexcd. There was an irrepressi-
BILE conflict in his mind between the native
honesty of his heart and the inexorabl,.
behests OF his party leaders. The meshes
of John Slidell proved as toilsome to him
as the bright tissue of the spiders web to
the entanglcd fly. He tells Gen. Graham
he is sorry to say that =" l take different
view of the relations that exist between
the Executive and the citizen. do not
think the citizens of the State have any
right, whatever, to require me to reply to
such questions as they may ask. If
your note had been addressed TO me a.
from one old friend to another, or simply
from fellowcitizen, and had asked nv
opinions and purposes, as far as might be
consistent with my sense of public duty to
disclose, then | should have taken great
pleasure in responding fully. Nor have
any desire to conceal the opinions | en-
terrain upon the aspect and probable future
Of public affairs. Indeed have received
letter from number of gentlemen of
New Orleans, requesting to be informed
# my position and opinions, to which
hall take an early opportunity to reply"
sc.
This is the sum ana substance of Gov.
Noore's answer to the above vital ques-
ions-qucstions upon which he as Gov
'rnor Of the State will, in all probability,
re long be called to aci-qucsticrs in
which is involved the veal or woe Of our
'aPpy land. Gov. Moore says he docs
lot think the citizens of the State have-a
light TO REQUIRE him to reply to such qucs-
ions as they may think proper to ask.
" ny not were YOU not elected by tie
itizcns of the State and, we were about
o say, are you not the servant of the pco-
DE, bat we forgot that YOU are the mere
ollower Of a faction, and the head of that
action John Slidcll--hc who corrupts and
cgradcs every thing he touches. Look
t poor buchanan, of whose administration
C was the "powcr behind the throne"-
0 rotten that none are so poor as TO do
i'm reverence Gov. Moore may claim
ne right to dscidcaas to the proper time of
nswering these questions, but we do not
gree hat he has any right to say that
Re citizens of tlS~ State have no right to
'quire him to reply to such Questions as
lcy may think proper 10 ask.
Nor hav" any desire to conceal the opinions
entertain upon lhr pres Mt aspect and probable
Iture ofpub.ic afaiIs
l hen we say, why not answer these
iomcntous questions at once! Let us
now what the aims of your party are
.)orc the election. We have charged it
pom the party to which you are attached,