Speech Before the Mississippi Legislature.


Mississippians: Again it is my privilege and good fortune to be among
you, to stand before those whom I have loved, for whom I have labored,
by whom I have been trusted and honored, and here to answer for
myself. Time and disease have frosted my hair, impaired my physical
energies, and furrowed my brow, but my heart remains unchanged, and
its every pulsation is as quick, as strong, and as true to your
interests, your honor, and fair fame, as in the period of my earlier
years.

It is known to many of you, that at the close of the last session of
Congress, wasted by protracted, violent disease, I went, in accordance
with medical advice, to the Northeastern coast of the United States.
Against the opinion of my physician, I had remained at Washington
until my public duties were closed, and then adopted the only course
which it was believed gave reasonable hope for a final restoration to
health--that is, sought a region where I should be exempt from the
heat of summer, and from political excitement.

In one respect at least, this accorded with my own feelings, for
physically and mentally depressed, fearful that I should never again
be able to perform my part in the trials to which Mississippi might be
subjected, I turned away from my fellows with such feelings as the
wounded elk leaves his herd, and seeks the covert, to die alone.
Misrepresentation and calumny followed me even to the brink of the
grave, and with hyena instinct would have pursued me beyond it.

The political positions which I had always occupied, justified the