The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-09
To The Citizens Of Gaddo Parish.

Itin it my duty fellow-citzens in this grave crisis
to give public expression to my opinions AS | am no
speaker, ! have chosen the medium ct the press to
communicate with you.
can congratulate sou the promptaeiion taken by
the Legislature prepare for the protection Of our STATE
against the further aggresions OF the north The ie-
gisature was unanimous for calling convention and
for the armiRs Of the State for protection. This
action you have all seem The only difference of opin
ion upon this great question as to the proper course
to be pursued BY Tie convention to meet the 23d
Of JaHuary-Whether we should seeede Immediately
from the Union and form Union or government with
the other seeding southern States, without delaying
for further concessions and guarantees from the north
ern States-or whether should wait until we could
get the unanimous action of all the southern States
have taken position in favor of separate State
ton, because believed it to be the only practicable
mode Of proceeding to attain object. W. can do
nothing binding or efectual while IN the Union
AS long as Louisiana is member OF the present con-
ederacy, size must obey the constitutions and the con-
stitution forbids any States uniting form
ing league or taking any such action against the gen
eral goyernment-therefore must a State secede,
and then, being ont of the Union and under abga-
tons to obey the general government or the constitu
ton She can act III conjunction with the other seeding
States, and proceed 70 form southern contederacy.
There is no other method by which legitmaely
proceed IN this matter. II it practicable to await
the action OF adj the southern States suppose
undera the circumstances that the border States will
lead off in this movement? We must move first, and
convince them that we are in earnest in our purpose
let US separately as States secede and form govern
mcnt, and then frontier southern States will jonus and
the whole south VIII stand united The cotton States
must lead-the border States will then follow. What
advantages Will we derive from wating&o concession
or for further guarantees from tile nofthen States
The constitution affords sutciclK guarantees for our
protection has been decreed bg the supreme court
Have our rights been respected? Have they not been
Disregard and grosslg abused? Why then ask formore
concesslonso or guaAHteeSwhen the north has boldly
and deanty proclaimed to the world that they will not
respect constitutional rhtsthat they are not bound
ny these guaranteeZand that our ultimate ruin and
degradation their purpose! 1t must be evident that
any further concessions guarantees from the north
will be unaydingt0us for if made they viii not be OBJ I
served, and will only tend to divide aud deceive the
SOUTH and place more compleelvatthe mercy of the
abolition party If intend in reality to protect our
selves and preserve our honor we must secede from
the Union and place ourselves beyond the control of
the people Of the north Wemust no longer submit to
government which the aboonits have usurPed to be
used for Our utter ruin and degradation. That we
have the right to seeede from the Union is most clearly
established by all the facts connected with the history
Of the coloiies, the formation and adoption Of con
stntion well bF the very character aud genius of
our government This is so evident that will not at
tempt 10 reyEw the facts and arguments upon which
itrests.
It'll said that weoue aIle@iance to the general GOV
eminent as asovereigaty. This is mistake The
general governments not a sovereignty, and we owe
it noallegance The only sovereignty IN this country
resides with tie people of the States The States are
and eweas citizens allegiance only to our
State The eCagress of the United States has the right
to pass naturalization laws; but where does the for
eigner obtanhs riShc as a voter? Fromth State of
which he is al Hlta5itant All that he obtains from
tie general government is protection citizen of one
of the States and the State in which he lives he owes
biz allegiance. As a citizen he can commit treason
against all tlr States butwhenh his own State withdraws
her delegated powers from the government her citizens
are bound il allegiance to her and cannot commit trea
son but agG&st her. If Louisiana withdFaws from the
Union each her citizens are bound to obey her SOW
sreign maUlate andif they do not they traitors to
lcr and viii be punished such In an issue between
our Statead the general government We must obey
md defend the fgfmer gu commit treason against her
We cannot III this condition, commit treason against
he genera government, as we then owe it no allies
glance.
These a1e my views. To you Ram accountable for |
hem. Lee me urge you to tell the north By your vote
or separate State action that YOU havor Of adopt
ng the most speedy manly and constitutional mode of
iddng yourselves Of its tyrannical yoke Mud letme
lso urge upon yeu TO rally the polls on the 18th of
anuary for honestly believe chat the black reRubli
ans will as their friends and allies only those
rho yo'e forco0eradon submission, but those who
o not cast heirballots Rally then to the polls. h
WM. ROBSON y