The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-05-02
Mr. unEFMAN's REPLY.

BALTIMORE, March $, lS4U.
SIR-I have the the pleasure TO acknowledge
vour letter of the 29th, received yesterday, ny
which am informed that, at meeting OF the
Wbip members of the General Assembly Oh
MARYLAND, held at the seat OF government OH
the 9Sth February, was UNANIMOUSLY pomlna-
ted one of the Electors of President ana wee
President of the United States, for The State at
large. 1o h.
that body, and graciousy communicated by
you, | accept with pleasure-and yet WIN no
little apprehension, lest the high confidence re-
nosed in me by the enlightened meeting over
which YOU presided as chairman, may not be
as Cnly justified as [ could wish, since my ma
nv pressing engagements, arising out OF CIR
cnms,ances which need not he referred to-
NAV possibly restrict my supposed usefulness
within the limits of my actual zeal and earnest
desires in the great cause ol the approaching
election ofour Chief Magistrate.
The sentiment expressed by you at the close
oryour letter, that ''lhe cause oil the party is
the cause of the country" heartily reclpro-
cate; and, through my individual political opin'
ions are now by no means at issue, anu may
indeed, be of little consequence to either oil The
great parties into which, unhappily, cur coun-
try is divided, (since an electors duty IS 10 stale
enforce, and compare the doctrines oil the can
didates for the chief ma9lstracy, ralher tf'an
TO allude TO those entertained by himself ye!'
hope to be pardoned, if avail myself OF TINS
occasion, briefly 10 state some OF my views OF
the political condition OF the country, ID Which,
however, it is possible that neither the dlstln-
gushed candidate Of our choice, nor the wing
party, may, in all cases, entirely concur WIN
me. a..
have never had but one scheme in politics
and that is Repubcanism; scheme OF gov
eminent raised by the founders of our Constr
tuition. by which the civil liberties OF tie peo-
ole are guarded by their political bertles-a
government originating from and based upon
the power of the people, when truly and legitl-
mately expressed, and which, when so express
ed. clothes their representatives, for the flnle
being, with all the constitutional powers, who'll
" exempt from the dictation, caprclous WITH
drawals, and al bitary instructions and qnailli-
cations imposed by crude and hasty meetings,
so often assembled and actuated by mere par
tv excitements and purposes; government,
in fine. of fixed principles, Of laws, OF known
measures, and OF wholesome certainty.
II is. however, lamentabe fact that this
pure and well designed government, under
which we have fourished for time, has been
i greatly corrupted in theory, and yet more
largely III practce, not ny Tic poopN 'o ih"o
as sy their confidants, and their treacherous
leaders. The people, as truly believe, are gen
orally wise enough, and virtuous enough, to
Judge and to act soundly; but no man, nor bo'
DIV OF men, were ever yet found sufficiently
stern in their virtue and wisdom to resist the
articles of intrigue; TO subdue the poison OF
those passions which unprncipled demagogues
SO well know how to excite; to see clearly
through the meshes of false facts, most artlul-
" presented to them, with the fixed purpose OF
deceiving; and all this, as is well known, is
constantly, and even Systematically practlsed'
by that misshapen and wonderful party, that
has dared TO assume, and much to abuse, the
verable name ofDemocracy-a name, which IN
our earliest government, was equivalent to,
and coordinate with Republicanism, and Moth
ing more; but, which unhappily, has been rem
dered odous, only because thus viley abused;
= name that should never have been divorced
from the Interpretation given it by our Consti-
tuition; a name only 10 be venerated when
brought back to its original import; name
wholly at variance with the reckless and law