The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-01
Letter from HON. r. j. wharton. OF
MiHslssiDpi.

The author OF the letter from which the
following extracts are taken, Hon. ..
Wharton, was once Attorney Generai OF
Mississippi, and is man OF cohs''ei"o''
influence in that State:
Whose who know anything of my humble
course in the past need not be told that l
have adhered tenaciously all my life long
70 the school Of State rights. So jealous,
indeed, has been my advocacy of the tenets
of that party that have been denominated
an extremist. am free to say there was
never moment during the late struggle oil
arms when would have consented TO any
settlement which did not embrace our In
dependence. Slavery and every other issue
involved ! would have subordinated to this
one grand idea. After the surrender, /
ardently desired to see the South assume
a position of mastery inactivity" OF dig
niied silence. When my position was
asked, freely expressed it in opposition
to all concessions. Recognizing the va
lidity Of the ordinance Of secession, and
having referred the controversy to the
arbitrament Of arms, accepted in good
faith the award from which there was and
is no appeal.
We nave TO deal with things as they are,
not as we would have them. The sentiment
would be more apt to awaken sympathy
in the southern heart which finds voice in
the declaration made every day: 1" will
not assist in forging the chains to bind my
own limbs. By no act or word of mine
shall this infamous deed be consummated.
Upon the heads Of our cruel oppressors let
the responsibility rest. / will never ald IN
DISTINGUISHING and degrading those whom
/ vote to place in the lead Of cause as
dear to me as to them, and in enfranchlSlng
the vulgar and illiterate negro"
But the deed is done, and the power to
enforce il accompanies it, and will be exc
cuted. whether you make choice or not of
the evils presented. You are not consult
ed whether the negro be allowed to vote,
or whether there shall be convention.
Those are foregone conclusions. Neither
"masterly inactivity" or the most master
" activity can avail anything as to those
points. Not only are you not allowed a
voice in those matters, but the latest ad-
vices from Washington clearly indicate
that your Legislature will not be permit
ted to call the convention.
The case is simply this rejection of the
act will not prevent its execution, and will
preclp1latc COHuSCdtiOu, acceptance VI ~
may avert that last and dire calamity.
do not say it will. The chances are it viii
not. But as there is one chance, at least
In the latter case, and not one in the for
mer, it is the part of prudence to play fo1
that chance. There are two roads before
me they are both beset by dangers; the
one more so than the other. / will tread
the one which offers the best hope OF
safety. have been long racked upon a
bed of sickness. ] have passed through
many vicissitudes alternating between hope
and despair. My physician tells me he has
exhausted his skill that there is despe-
rate remedy never used until all others
have failed; that there is a bare posi-
bility of my recovery if l take it; that
will certainly die if / do not take it. In
that extremity, seeing that non-action, or
"masterly inactivity" is death, embrace
the last hope. Shall act with less pru-
dence when the life of my country is in
peril? BY mastery inactivity" we
failed to arm the negro with the musket
for our defence. The Yankee armed him
for our subjugation. He is now armed
with the ballot. We cannot take it from
him. Shall il be used for us or against us,
is the practical question?