Gazette and sentinel., 1860-12-29
The Louisiana Senators.
Position Of Messrs. SiidcH and Benilm.
From the y. O. Delta.l

The telegraph has taken $, many l.
bcrtleS with the names of orr two So
majors, and has misrcpreseutcd them 50
eXtravagautly, that people have begun
10 imagine that method of C~onmuuica-
ton, at least So Tar as individuals are
concerned, 70 be nothing more than q
vehicle of talschoUd. The statements
rejecting III the positions OF NcSsrS.
SIidcll and benjamin have been already
contradlctcd; and we are glad ID D.
now able to confirm the contradiction.
on the authority of those gentlemen
themselves, and to have their own words
to prove their devotion TO the great
cause Of Southern Liberty aud State
Sovereignty.
y letter to a prominent gentleman Of
tins city from Mr.. Siidell. abiding f.
his signature to the Congressional Cir
cuIar, published in our mornings edi-
ton, says: 'By specdy separation, !
mean the earliest possible declaration
that our separation will take place on
the 4th of March; this declaration to be
unconditional. The States seeding
will adopt the present constitution, ami
all laws, sc, locally applicable"
From Mr. Benjamin we have the fol.
lowing letter, which was intended t.
be laid before the Legislature at its re-
cent session. 1t ought, being dated
December 9Th, to have arrived in time
for this purpose; but delays of the mails
and the speedy adjournment of the Le-
gislature rendered this iInpracticablc.
In accordance with Mr.. Beniamin's re-
quest, we give his letter to the public 4:
WASHINGTON, Sth December, 1860.
TO the Legislature Of the State of Louisiana.
Having been unexpectedly prevented from
returning to the State until it is now too late
TO join in counsel with my f los citizens in
this momentuous cIiSs, ] feel it due to YOU,
as well as myself, to make pubic declaration
of my opinions as 10 the course Of action de.
manded by a proper regard to the honor Of
Louisiana and the security Of her people
abstain from offering any reasons in support
Of these opinions, hoping soon to be able to
address you IN person, If any indication Of
them be required. Briefly, then, I believe:
1st That the feeling of a very large mum.
Der, Of not a majority Of the people Of the
North, 5 utterly hostile to our interests; that
this feeling has been inst lied into the present
generation from its infancy; that il is founded
on the mistaken belief that the people of the
North are responsi Die for the existence of slav.
cry in the South; that this conviction of a
personal responsibility for what they erron-
eous'y believe to be a sin, springs chiefly from
the consideration that they are, with US. MEM
bers of a common Government, end that the
Union Itself is thus made the principal cause
Of hostile interference by them with our in.
stitntions.
2. That no Just reason exists for hnping
for any change in Northern feeling, and no
prospect remains Of our being permitted to
live in peace and security within the Union.
3D.. That, therefore, the interest of the
South, the very instinct of self-preseryation
demands a prompt severance OF all connection
viii government which has itself become an
obstacle TO what it was designed to effect, viz:
"lnsurmg domestic tranquility, and promot.
ing general welfare.
4th. That to effect this purpose ~Separats
State action is ~rirtHdLly necessary. That all
attempts at concerted action should be re-
served for the work Of reconstructing a gov.
eminent. Concert Of action amongst numerous
independent States is the result Of long and
patient efforts to reconcile divergent interests
aud harmonic conflicting opinions. The
emergency does not admit of this delay, unless
the South is prepared to submit to the degra.
dalton Of seeing Lincoln peacefully i~naugur.
ated as It's President as well as that of the
North.
The opinions thus hurriedly expressed have
been deliberately formed. They have been
gradually forced upon me by intercourse with
the accredited representatives Of Northern
sentiment, and each day adds to my conyic-
ton of their truth. Indeed, if the faithful and
persistent efforts Of the present distinguished
Chief Magistrate, so to administer the Govern
ment as to give Us safety within the Union
have been rendered ~frnitless by the operation
Of the causes above suggested, we must be
blind indeed. if we entertain the remotest
hope that widespread ruin, degradation and
lishonor will not inevitably result IRON tame
to the rule which our enemies pro.
pose TO Inangurate.
| have only 10 say in conclusion that ! am
low engaged in preparations Tor returning
rome, there to aid by any service, and Join
q any sacrifice that can conduce to the honor,
.iappIaess, or prosperity Of our beloved State.
Respectfully, your fellow citizen,
j. p. BENJAMIN.
~" \ large mandatory for making
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