American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-09-21
ENSIS.
From the Mississippian.
Address to the People of Mississippi.

AuUFcSs 10 tue TeVplc vi MtsSiSSlppi.
Felloso- Citizens: AT the solicitation of
a number of gentlemen distinguished for
their social and political position, my
name was placed before you as candi-
date for the Office of Governor. Assured
by these gentlemen and convinced by
numerous private letters received from
every section of our State that our people
demanded change in the Executive De-
partment did not feel at liberty to re-
fuse to my friends the use of my name
solicited in a manner so fiattering to me.
and when / had reason to believe that it
was the wish of large majority of the
voters of the State. But In thus giving
my consent to become candidate, | had
no intention in the existing condition of
public affairs, of entering into canvass
for that office, being well assured that
such course would excite the public
mind, already sufficiently disturbed, and
might embitter one portion of the people
against another, and thus mar that union
and concord of sentiment and action
which now SO happily prevails and which
is necessary to asuccessful defense against
our. common enemy. For the last. FIVE
weeks l have been absent from the State
upon public business. Since my return
home | have become satisfied from cir
cumstances which transpired in my alb
sence that any longer continuance as a
candidate would array my friends and
the friends of the present incum bent in a
warm, perhaps an angry contest, and by
thus introducing discord amongst US. lead
to results which all might have reason to
deplore. l am not willing to participate
in such contest, and therefore beg leave
to announce that do not desire to be any
longer considered as candidate. - -.
But, in thus announcing my conclusion,
| deem it proper occasion and due alike
to my friends and to myself to allude to
some objections which am informed
have been urged against me during my
absence. 1t is said that as a. member of
the Executive Council, am equally re-
sponsible with Gov. Pettus for the acts of
his Administrations. 1t is true that in
January last was elected by the Con-
sention member of the Executive
Council, but by the ordinance creating
the Office of Council. the Office itself
ceased as soon as the Confederacy was
formed. The dissatisfaction with Gov.
Pettus and the acts for which his admin
istration have been deems d mostly obnox-
ious, have principally occurred since the
formation Of the Confederate Govern
ment, and for them am in no wise re-
sponsible. Again, it is said, that. as
Quartermaster General, it must be sup
posed that I approved the encampment
of the four Brigades of twelve. months
volunteers which were called out by order
of the Governor. To this, il is only nee
essary to reply. that. as military SUBJ
ordinate. whatever order the commander
chief legally and constitutionally gave.
it was never consulted by the Governor
in reference to th at movement. and | con-
sequently must decline whatever credit
or discredit that may attach to it. But
as citizen of the State, will take this
occasion to say that in my opinion the
encampment of these Bngades at this
time is most unfortunate. sF
Our people are almost destitute of
money--the absolute necessaries Of life
are at an exorbitant price. and there is no