Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-02
by NIasser g. Eisely.

o'het cause L his Is The great point oil departure,
and since the adoption OF the Constitution it will be
found, that the peculiar views of each party upon
this subject have led TO the peculiar opinions they
! have respectively formed of the powers and duties
of the government. The democratic party having
more confidence than their opponents in the virtue
| and intelligence Of the great mass of our society;
have in doubtful questions of construction, believed
! that power safer with the people than with
their agents, and have therefore inclined rather to
limit than extend delegated authority. Their oppo-
nents, on the contrary, placing less reliance upon
these safeguards, have thought that a stronger, or
TO speak perhaps more correctly, more government
was necessary to defend society from the evils in
herent in il, and have therefore adopted greater
latitude of construction Blu, both, speak Of mass.
es not of individuals, both have been equally sim
cere, and have equally sought the happiness of the
country. | do not believe that either seeks any
changes in cur fundamental institutions and least
ofall, change which would substitute for them
monarchcal establishments.
| beg you would not bclievc tha, indulge the
utopian expectation, that parties can to exist
little purpose, who en,ertains such a hope. 1t is
result probably not to be desired, certainly not TO
be anticipated. But the asperity of political dis
puics may be soitencd by just spirit of conciia-
ton, anl may thereby become stronger and
more respected abroad without any sacrifice of true
principles at home. Whoever recolecs the c.
vents which preceded and accompanied our last war
with Great Britain, whoever seeks them in the
history of the times, must be satisfied that with
fewer internal divisions the sulitrings of the Coun.
try would have been far less and It's efforts to obtain
justice, far more efficient. trust therefore that the
great Democratic party, while it adheres with un-
shaken irmness TO its principles, will pursue It's
course with wise moderation. Whatever others
may do, hope We shall never mistake violence for
hrmness and for political principle the dsnuncia-
ton of our opponents We can have no safer
guide upon these subjects than the example of Mr..
Jefferson, who with an admirable mixture Of firm
ness and moderation, aliho' coming into the al.
ministration in the most excited state of feeling,
that our country has perhaps experienced, left
it with the Republican party greatly augmented,
labllshed. His doctrine of appointments and re-
movas, that source of so much division, selecting
his friends for the folmer but exercising his power
OF the latter, upon the just and molerate principles
he laid down, while it proved his fidelity to his par
ty, proved also his justice and wisdom as Chief
Magistrate.
These views will probably not bo acceptable to
II
entertain them, that am bound to disclose them
such proceeding will at all events furnish proof OF
my sincerity. The selection of candidate for the
Chief Magistrate by the Republican party is a
question not less interesting than difficult. Many
considerations must be taken into view, and have
looked at the subject as think with grea, impar
aliiy. My conviction is, that there is nothing in
my present position, nothing in my past career
which should lead to my selection, for such a mark
OF confidence. My repugnance TO the measure i,
great, almost invncible. And there is but one
" state of things, state of things as little to be ex
gected desired, which could induce me 10 yici,
TO the sacrifice should he called upon to mike
aud that Is, the generally acknowledged opinion o
might be necessary upon his occasion and IN,
u nomination, agreeably to the established usage u
the party Ivy general Convention. In such al
: event tho should yield with reluctance, still
i should yield and although my farther residence
c abroad viii probably under any circumstances lie bu
= short, yet wcIe it otherwise upon the occurenc
d Of such event, should consider it my duty t
81 return without delay Not to take the slighes
part in the election, far he such a course from mt
n hut because PToPriey would forbid me to hold a
office under these circumstances, and because ever
" American, whom the confidence or any consderahl
portion Of his ieIIow.ciiizens might designate f
}" that high station, ought to meet the trial he mu,
undergo in his own County. But when look /
- the many able and tried men, whom our party in
'e cudes in It's ranks, consider such a result scare,
> ly within the limits of possibility. Not doubling
ie Gentlemen, but your choice had better fall upo
!; one of these than upon me, and that it will so la
~ and with the renewed expression of my gI4uiud
he 10 yourselves and TO your constituents,
re | am, with great regard,
OF your obedent servant
o. LEW. CASS.
or To Messrs. A. McCaraber, Jno. Laws, Wa
Curtis, John Wolbert, X. b. Dodson, John Appl
u.s. VIM F. Harrison, Charles r. Carpenter, Con