The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-04-12


Jackson, April 4th, 1861.
GENTLEMEN compliment convey
ed by your polite note soliciting me to
become a candidate for one of the seats
in the Congress Of the Confederate States,
to be chosen by the electors of the State
at large, requires arespectful acknowledge
ment, Coming from q source so distin-
guished and from gentlemen in every por-
ton Of the State, it assures me that it is
not merely the expression Of your per-
sonal Partially, but that it reflects in some
measure the popular sentiment. am
not unaware Of the honor which it con-
fers, and am deeply impressed with the
responsibilities Of the trust which is pro-
posed to be confded to my hands.
In accepting the call so fatteringly
made, can only pledge myself, in the
event Of my election, to repay the obliga-
tons which may be imposed upon me, by
the tribute of my earnest labors to pro-
mote the best interest of the State and the
PermAnency and glory of the Confederacy
Of which she is q member.
Duties more than ordinarily weighty
will devolve upon the first Congress which
will assemble under the forms of the Con-
stitution that has already been ratified by
Mississippi and FIVE of her sister States
As a coordinate department of the gov
eminent thus organized, it will be for that
body TO provide the necessary legislation
for putting in motion its vast and comph-
Gated machinery. Its successful operation
depends much upon the sagacity and pa
triotism of those who in the commence
ment Of the work may be called to give it
shape and direction. The Constitution Of
the New Confederacy is an improvement
upon the one after which it is modelled.
1t leaves no room for conflicting construc-
tons Of its mesniDg: With singular &C
curacy it preseribes the bounds Of dele
gated authority, and it will be only by
rigid observance Of those bounds in the adj
ministration Of the government that the
angry contentious which have marked the
history Of the Federal Union may be
avoided. That no precedent be establish
ed as q landmark for future generations,
tending in the least degree to subvert the
foundations Of this system, should be the
care Of every one, however humble his
agency may be in the conduct Of the gov
eminent.
Believing that between the representa-
tive and the people there should exist a
perfect understanding upon all questions
affecting their interests, will avail my
self, between the present time and the
election, Of whatever opportunity may be
afforded me, in person or otherwise. 20
explain in detail, the principles and poll
cy by which will be guided should the
preference indicated by you be approved
at the ballot-box. will be justified,
however, by the occasion which elicits this
letter, in saying that those who may be
called into the service Of the State should
conform to the sentiment Of her people
that, without dishonor, there can be no
faltering in the career Of independence
which she has deliberately chosen-thai
the New Confederacy should cultivate
peace with the other powers of America
and Of Europe, by strict observance Of
the rights of all and determination Il
maintain its own at all hazards-and thai
it should share the advantages of naviga
toin and commerce of every other nation
by the freest trade compatible with the
raising of revenue sufficient TO perform
the functions and discharge the obliga
tons Of an economical government.
Thus far the experiment of Southern
Confederacy has been attended with ex
traordinary success. The great event ha
been marked by none of the convulsion
which have invariably attendedimportan
governmental changes. Under the gui
dance Of the patriot-chisftain who ha
been wisely called 50 preside over the des
TIMES Of the infant Republic, and his abl'
auxilaries, we have every reason to cher
ish the confident hope that the Provision
al government in the performance of it
mission, will come fully up to the just ex
pectations Of the people and to the high
est measure Of duty. But to crown tn
experiment with entire success, we mus
feel that we are ONE PEoPLE, menaced b,
dangers and trials and temptations OF
every hand-that we ''have called by dill
ferent names, brethren of the same prin
I ciple-thAt we are all Democrats, and tina
we are all Americans"-an that If Their
be any among US who would retrace tn
step which we have taken, 'let them STAN
undisturbed as monuments Of the safet
: with which error Of opinion may be tolel
ated where reason is left free tocombatit
With profound respect,
l am your obedient servant,
E. BARKSDALE.
To Messrs. C. P. SIXTH, LAMAR, ADAnl
GLENN and others.