The New York herald., 1879-12-12
JEFFERSON DAVIS ON THE CON.
STITUTION.

MI y. b Dantorth or Rock Island, having written
to Mr.. Jefferson Davis to the effect that ''somet
should be done at once by the Southern leaders Of
public opinion to counteract the efforts Of repub-
licans who are endeavoring to make solid North
the idea that State rights mean secession; that the
people OF the South still for secesson that
Is freedom OF speech of the press in the South
and that the South has been made solid by Of
the shotgun" the reply comes and is published.
follows:-
BEAyvoIn. Harrison County. Miss, Nov. %. 1879.
MY DEAR sIR-I was gratined by the receipt Of
ls, when in former and in happier days we were Of
Twas also gratifed by the receipt Of copy of your
paper the Rhode Islander b. s.
had called to visit me. and the conversation turned
upon the time honored doctrine of State rights.
Like many others in our section he supposed this
be . creed which peculiarly belonged to the South.
l. who have known and am happy to remember.
men of every section true to the theory Of union
voluntarily formed by sovereign States endeavored
to explain that it was not Southern idea. but q
historical facts that it belonged section. but
sprang the braius OF the men who declared the
independence of the colonies and formed the com-
pact for more perfect union OF the States. To
prove my position read to him your article headed
"What is Meant by State Rightsw and was pleased
to SEQ the effect which IL produced when he knew
that it came from the State Of Illinois, and high up
II there is anything which, more clearly than an
other the trainers OF the constitution did not intend
people
unbrided will Of majority Of the people of all the
States. Sectional majorities have changed; they
may and probably will change again, and the bull
wark which alone can protect minorities from the
usurping tendency of y general government Is q
strict construction Of delegated powers and fair
OF the reserved rights Of tho States and
When the States delegated certain functions to
general government the purpose was declared to be
their posterity.
The confederation, which had been declared per
tot
Of those States which should to enter into it,
Being without any precedent in history, but taught
by the examples OF all ancient republics of the rocks
and shoals on which they had been wrecked, o COM
pact OF union was formed which must stand
model of wisdom on the part Of those who framed it
The reservation Of rights. as you have forciby
presented it, only marks the limit between the
powers Of the general government and those which
the States and the people thereof would continue to
exercise This was to secure liberty their poster
ity. not to elevate new master to the throne from
which George Ill. had been deposed.
In the many years that have passed since the for
nation of tnat constitution, with the many chief
magistrates the South has given to the Union. it
strange that in this day belief in the doctrine
on which the Union was founded, and which was
uniformly avowed by the who illustrated its
early history, should now be regarded hostility
to its existence. and that the creed Of rights
should be held as the synonye Of desire to destroy
eternal 1t is well that it should be- for error so far
outrides its stately steps that otherwise we might
fear M whether t truth truth would finally oyertake it.
and oppression to which the South was subjected
after she had laid down her arms and faithfully
agreed to abide by the laws OF the United States
would have no need togo further in order to find
reason why the South Was solidifed in defence Of
her rights Of person and property. Would the
North. under like circumstances have been less
Would they have shown equal patience under
wrong?
1t il surely little loss than fraud to state that the
assertion by the South Of her right to protection
under the constitution is equivalent to declaration
on her part OF desire to secede from tho Union.
Any logical mind would draw from these facts the
reverse conclusion. 1t may serve the purpose of
artful politicians to foment sectional discord and
thus make solid North, which. being tho majority
section. can then WELD the power and appropriate
general government. But the mon who desire
fraternal union and . general prosperity must
that is not the road by which either be reached
In 1860 the secassionsts per to the phrase
of that day, were few aud far between. They are
fewer now and further between.
is. therefore, utterly untrue that State rights,
asserted here means secession. And equally untrue
s it that there IL freedom OF opinion Of speech
or the press among Personal difficulties and
family feuds have been misrepresented as political
combinations to suppress the freedom OF elections,
while IN point OF fact our elections have been
peaceable and orderly as elsewhere Indeed, there
proceedings which could be used by emissaries the
means Of njuring our regulations or of invadating
our elections.
Impoverished by devastating war, we desire EN-.
igration to cultivate our waste lands and restore
prosperity to our communities. We have soil and
climate inviting to the agriculturist and the
facturer. and would gladly welcome both to home
among us.
tho politics of the day. Ny observation and refec-
tions those OF man who has served the country
long, and would DO glad before he goes hence to
peace and prosperity throughou its borders.
best wishes and Kind remembrances Of your friend
JEFFERSON DAVIS