Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-06
LETTER FROM MISSISSIPPI.
BTHALIA, Republic Of Mississippi I
February 10, 1881.


LETTER FROM MISSISSIPPI.
BTHALIA, Republic Of Mississippi I
February IS, 1881.
To The Editor Of the Horaiag Bulletin;
II was the %presumtuous boast OF the ssces
sionists Of South Carolina, that whenever shi
made the sfbresk' toward a dissolutIet Of tn
Federal Union, allthe other slave States wouis
follow. Is this arrogant prediction likely 4
Be verified? Present indications do not show
It. Though South Carolina has, by a wGll
msiured plan Of treason, been sueeeesfulin pre-
eipitating the gulf States into secession, ys'
The reasonable project fails to operate sue.
~eessfully beyond the limits Of these States
The recent elections in Virginia and Tennes.
see show those States to be decidedly cgnins
seceeron; and I am Of The opinion that h,
other middle and border slave States ar,
equally loyal to the Union, aud 81 eager fol
an adjustment of our national difienlties. A
strong and abiding sentiment Of nationality
and Union controls the minds Of the people Of
the border slave States and however strong
nav have been their natural svmBathy with
the cotton States, that sympathy has been
somewhat diminished in consequences Of the
hasty and preeipitate action Of the latter, and
their obstinate refusal TO cooperate with the
former for a fair and honorable settlement OF
existing political troubles, and, If possible,
prevent Federal dissolution, and, probably, a
long and bloody war. Our brethren OF the
middle and border slave States are ardent and
patriotic in their resolves to maintain the gov
eminent Of our fathers-tbe government under
which we have prospered to a degree that has
no parallel on the face Of the globe, and whose
Gag has protected us in life, liberty and prop
srtv, in every land and on every sea. This
glorious fact induces the belief that policy, as
well as patriotism, will have it's weight In
support Of the Constitution and Union.
OF what avail would It be to the conserVa-
tive border States to break their federal obli-
cations, trust their fortunes with the cotton
States, and build up a CoHfederaey which may
Be broken at the pleasure and will Of one OF
the parties?
If a Southern Confederacy be formed, there
will be a constitutional provision for ssees-
sion, and any member may, 10 a freak Of pas
I sion or displeaBure, dissolve the compact at
| time; so there would be nc assurance Of the
continuance Of a government constructed upon
such a basis, as It would contain within itself
the seeds Of its own destruction. Such a
Union would be infinitely worse than no
Union; indeed, it would be a positive sbsurdi-
ty-a miserable, aimsY pretext-a sham-a
delusion. Nor would there be any permanency
in a republic Of the cotton States alone,
formed upon the basis Of secession. Con-
fictiDg opinions Of public policy wsuld arise
between political sspirants, and every aspi-
rant and d~emagogue having his party or clique,
such "eellisions' Of opinion would be held as
lust cause for the exercise Of the Fright OF
secession;" and, consequently, the cotton re-
public might, at any moment, be shattered into
fragments.
Although Mississippi has "seceded," and
stands to-day as a soi-diSanf "repubiic,"
there is, to say the least a respectable minori-
~ in her midst who are utterly and unquali-
iedly opposed TO the s~o-called 4" national in
dePendenee;'' and they constitute beneath the
apparent surface a smouIdering volcano, which
needs but a light pressure for an Outburst Of
its fiery lava to fall in reyengeful and scorch-
ing fury upon the heads of her oppressors. A
growing dissatisfaction exists among her most
substantial and wealthy citizens; many are
they that desire TO sell out and leave the new
~"republic;e but the depreciation Of property
is such as 10 preclude the possibility Of sale.
I could mention several wealthy planters in
this immediate vicinity who would sell their
plantations to-day, il they could find pur-
cbasers. The bitter fruits Of secession" viii
soen be enjoyed in Mississippi, 10 remarkable
contrast to the heretofore sweet prosperity Of
" Union.o NATIVE MtssIssIPPIAN.
EDIroRs APPEAL / dislike to ask you to
cumber your columns with such a cowardly
and slauderous communication as the above,
which appeared in the Morning BElleiin OF
Sunday, February oath. l regard it as a con-
ascension and almost beneath the standing Of
a respectable community to notice it. But
rather than the letter should be copied from
one abolition paper to another and 90 forth as
expressing the feelings Of the people of Mis-
sissippl, and the eonditioa of sfairs here, I
have consented to notice it, SO far as to say it
is a fimsey tissue of Misrepresentation and
falsehood from beginning to end. think the
native" gentleman possesses, as his letter
evidently indicates, so much OF the abolition
traitor spirit, and constituting with his ere
spectacle minority such a "smoHlderiag
volcanO," is a nice man iBdesi to brand The
proud, noble, and patriotic State Of South Car
olina with treason and bis emulation over
the recent election in Virginia, and the late
disgraceful triumph of a contemplate party,
which has cast an everlasting stain upon the
heretofore spotless honor Of your noble and
gallant State, is conclusive evidence that his
sympathies are with the advocates Of the Chi
cdgo platform, and the worshipers Of negro
equality, and shows that his soul is spotted
with a leprosy which is dangerous to the well
-sTy and pssos-of sf5veholding community.
II The "native MississippiaH" would let bis
lame be known, I am net certain but that
Of the Substantial and WealthyD citi-
zens whom be has so outraged with his volun-
.arY YillainUus Misrepresentation would in
him to abandon the place Of his nativity, 1
and seek refuge in Q colder climate, more con-
70 the urrrrfh IF the nrfnrfulau Of il
and nsurbordination SO plainly set
forth in his article. He says il a Union Of
Southern States be formed, "itwould be a pre-
ext, a shan, a delusion and not permanent
In answer to which / say, whether the pres
Constitution Of the United States gusran-
-ees the Z" right Of secession " or not,
he Confederate States furnish 4 strik-
ng practical example Of the right "
the members Of any compact have to
from such compact, when rognery,
insult and oppression are Practiced and heaped
lpon them to an intoleTable extent, and we
TeatlY prefer being members Of a Southern
Jonfederacy, where honor binds each member
o the confederation, rather than be a perma-
tent part Of any government, held together By
orce Of arms.
Prior TO the passage Of The secession ordi-
iance Of the State, there was a diversity Of
Ipinion respecting secession but since that
ALAk AAA NA1HAN VA A#N 1HANNH NHA a NV NaHA
Is exceptions, have become a unit on the sub
sct; and her gallant and chivalrous sons stand
a moments warning, to pour forth the
ast drop Of their blood in defense Of tie high
I~Osition which she has taken among the ma
ions Of The earth.
/ DENY that there is a single individual In the
.eighbo-hood who expresses himself as being
and uHqualifsdiy' opposed to the ac-
ion Of the State and its present ~siaiHsi and as
o there being a growing Dissatisfaction among
.er most wealthy and substantial citizens, It
5 bGseiy UafTue. Only a few Of cur planters
ave advertised to sell their farms, and they
you'd have sold at the prices they are asking
{ any previous time and as 70 the teprecia-
ion IN the price Of property, every species Of
is higher here than in Tennessee.
II the "Native Mississippian" fails to ac-
the plan OF bursting forth bis
ismouldering yeleaRO,D / would advise him to
DIN John Brown, Jr., and the free negroes Of
be North, and extend to them, and all who
ave the least sympathy Cor aboitionism, a
ordial invitation to pour forth their "iery
ava" in all its "scorhching fury" and we
Welcome them to attempt to satiste their
emonlike ~"reYenge." An intimate sequain-
ance with the people Of this community war
ants me in saying that We are satisfied with
be "Hew Republic" Yes, proud that w live
.mong a people who, "knowing their rights, ,
maintain them" and sorry that such a
nan as the "NatiVe Mississippisn' can hail
'ur beloved State az bis birthplace, and poll |
ute its soil with his unhsllowed feet.
TH0M AS B. WEBER.