Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-05-25
WASHINGTON, 9th May, 1874.

| WASHINGTON, Stn May, lS4f.
GENTLEMEN: AS you say you are sub
scribers to the Globe, think proper to an
swer publicly, in that important journal.
yours Of tho 9th instant.
Since toasted Mr.. Van Buren, many
year ago, as northern man with south
ern principles, have been constantly
his political and personal friend. His ad-
mirable administration as chief magls,
trate, his mastery messages on moment
Gus subjects, particularly the currency
his noble department in defeat, the purity
Of his character, and firmness ofhis de-
mocracy, recommend him TO the sincere
attachment of all republicans, and insure
him the honors of history.
Icame 10 Washington at the beginning
Of this session Of Congress his devoted ad-
herent, and have continued so. II sworn
to allegiance TO him, could not have
been more faithful. | wrote for him,
spoke for him, and by my whole conduct
endeavored to promote his reelection,
which, believe, would be great nation
al benefit. | never harbored thong int,
or suggested step, against it. My most
intimate and confidential friends, sena-
tor from South Carolina, senator from
Alabama, and senator from Pennsylva-
MIA, uniformly, in all our unreserved COM
munions, strenuously advocated his NOM
ination, as believe all did.
The harsh and ungenerous publication
of the Ohio delegation, reiterated and ag-
gravatcd by the impolItic animadversons
of the Globe, not to mention numerous
other newspaper assertions of similar
character, are all unfounded and unjust.
| never attended any caucus, meeting, or
other assembly of any kind, where it was
proposed by ne or any one, TO set aside
Mr.. Van Buren,. never heard of any such.
| do not believe any such ever took place;
unless those are to be so stgmatized as
may have occurred since the untoward
manifesto of the Ohio delegation, which
no doubt has provoked indispensable vim
dication.
am here to take public sentiment as to
the presidency, not to make it; but not to
submit TO caJitoline dictation about it
Your letter, gentlemen, is only one Of
many like it, which | have received lat.
terly. 1t is the only one have answer.
ed by any expression of opinion, and now
| do it in self.defence only.
Having done so, trust satisfactorily to
all who will not refuse me the merit of
truth, should consider it disingenIous
and unmanly not to add, that beIive a
very large majority Of the members Of
Congress have been brought TO apprehend
Mr.. Clay's election by numerous and ubi-
quitous evidences Of popular sentiment,
not in his favor, but from another caues.
His race with Mr.. Van Buren,, which shall
go farthest in reputation of that industri-
al protection heretofore the creed of near
ly every American statesman, has, no
doubt, increased the want of favor which
both have always experienced in Penn.
sylvania.
And their deplorable coincidence on the
most absorbing question of our foreign g.
domestic relations, deeply wounds what
hatter myself is fast maturing to be the
well. nigh unanimous public will on that
continental subject.
Yes, gentlemen. this country may de.
pend on it, crisis is at hand when 1t will
be childish and criminal TO be quarrelling
about presidential incumbency, actual or
prospective. The two greatest maritime
powers Of the old world in unnatural ALI
ance keeping what their respective min.
listers cali the right of search suspended
over our commerce and coasts, are, per.
haps, about TO fe,tcr that commerce, and
invade those coasts, by the most form da
bic and trying aggression ever inflicted or
American independence.
Decatur's sentiment in war was only
; the echo Of Washington's even in Peace
= that we must sustain our country, RICH
or wrong, when foreigners assall u.s.
D In the crisis now actually upon us, you