1. Jefferson Davis: Serving as the United States Senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1851 and later as the Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, Jefferson Davis was a prominent advocate of states' rights and a vocal supporter of secession. He eventually became the president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
2. Henry Stuart Foote: Foote was a former governor of Mississippi (1852-1854) and a U.S. Senator (1847-1852) who was known for his fiery speeches and aggressive support of secession. He held the view that the North had violated the rights of the Southern states and advocated for Mississippi to leave the Union.
3. Robert J. Walker: A former U.S. Senator (1835-1845) and Secretary of the Treasury under President James K. Polk, Walker initially opposed secession but eventually shifted his stance due to his belief that the federal government was encroaching on states' rights. He became a prominent secessionist leader and served as a delegate to the Mississippi Secession Convention in 1861.
4. John J. McRae: As the governor of Mississippi from 1854 to 1858, McRae was a strong secessionist who firmly believed in the preservation of Southern rights and institutions. He openly advocated for Mississippi's secession and played a significant role in mobilizing support for the movement within the state.
5. William Barksdale: A prominent attorney and politician from Mississippi, Barksdale served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1853 to 1861. He was known for his unwavering support of states' rights and became one of the most ardent advocates of secession in the Mississippi delegation in Congress.
These individuals were among the most vocal and influential politicians who championed the cause of secession in Mississippi during the 1850s. Their efforts contributed to the growing sentiment in the state that led to Mississippi's eventual decision to secede from the Union in January 1861.
