New York Times, “A Rule that Works Both Ways,” November 25, 1858

A RULE THAT WORKS BOTH WAYS. – In the speech which Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS recently addressed to the Legislature of Mississippi, he is reported to have said that the sentiments of the people of the North “could not be fairly judged by the votes and speeches of their representatives ; men of extreme opinions got into Congress and went further than their constituents would follow them.” We fully indorse this remark of the Mississippi Colonel, merely adding that although we do not accept it as a rule, we admit it to be an exception of frequent occurrence. And it is a fact, too, that should be remembered by the people North and South. It should be borne mind that when a Senator or Representative from the North preaches a foray against the South, he does not speak the sentiments of his constituents ; and, in like manner, when a Senator or a Representative from the South eats fire and spouts flame, with cries of secession and disunion and other similar balderdash, he is “a man of extreme opinions, and goes further than his constituents would follow him.” Et tu quoque, Col. JEFFERSON DAVIS, of Mississippi.