New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-10-15
THE TRIBUNE
Another Letter from James 6. Birney.


lhave ilst now s.en in the Tribune of to- day
an article headed " Coalition Of James G. Bifney
with the Polk party" The charge of coalition
rests on the fact, that have been nominated for
the Legislature of Michigan by Democratic
convention, and that assented to its being done.
The following is all, Of substance, that is me-
cessary to explain the transaction:
During my absence fiom home, last year, in
New England, it was proposed in the WHO Con-
yention of the County in which l reside, TO
nominate me for the Legislature. The nomina-
ton, however, was not made, on the ground, as
was informed, that might not be willing to
serve if elected, and that the County, in that
event, would be put to the trouble and expense OF
holding another election. Being asked, On my
return, whether I would have served had been
elected, 1 replied that would that es every
voter in the County knew that / was an Aboli-
tionist-a member of the Liberty party, and OPP
posed to both the other pafties-for | had used
every proper occasion, publicly and privately, to
expose their unfaithfulness-l would regard my
election as coming from the people, irrespective
of party.
Last Spring and Summer, complaints of mis-
management on the part of the County author-
ties we're made by the people of the County. l
thought the complaints were Just. The persons
most implicated were of both the Wing and De-
mocratic parties. A public meeting was held to
take into consideration the charges. Ipresented
the facts of the case to the meeting, and sup
ported set of resolves embodying the senu-
ynents of the meeting in relation to them. The
course toek met with the appreciation OF those
who were present and Of those who were not
excepting, very likely, the parties implicated and
their near friends.
The same evening / reviewed before large
assembly, embracing nearly all who had been IN
the County meeting Just mentioned, the course of
the Democratic and Wing parties, as connected
with the cause &C human hberty,-with the Just
claims of the North, and the integrity of the
Constitution. This review could, Of course, be
nothing else than severe: yet, no one, save it
might De the party managers. found fault with
it; and this, because the facts were tuc-the
treatment candid and impartial.
Il was after thus that the wish was expressed
by pertons Of both parties that I should repre-
sent the County in the Legislature. was ap-
phed TO- to say that | would serve ii elected
NV uniform answer-ftom whatever quarter the
application cams-wae, that II the people OF the
County, with the full knowledge which they
possessed Of my opinions, wished me to serve
them, l would DO 1t. told them moreover, that
should regard my election az proof that tie
people lnteuoed to put an ,pd 10 the pernicious
party contests, by which their own peace and lhe
interests Of the County had been SO long marcd.
Although have been nominated by my De.
mocratic neighbors, no one IN the county WOULD
have ken OF me as OF that party had not the
cue been given BY the wire.wurkers of the Wing
ENTHUSIASTICALLY by the originator OF lire coaii.
ton story, The DsrUlt Advertiser, print that haO
spared neither tect nor icuon TO win over the
Liberty party in Michigan 10 the support of The
Wings, by weakening Their confidence IN me. A
specimen of It's recklsssness may be seen in the
statement transferred to TIE Tnbune-thdt j
,uu conference Nth General HdscaH Mt Flint
mere d,puiacd, 1t ,rnulG doubtless Disclose, tha,
nv nliss1on to the East ,pas undertaken at the
instance # the Loco Focos, as DeA as ieudi"g
Abot,tionists Of NsU- York, though cto0ked ua-
der the prsfsnce Of o'sst 10 my son residing IN
Connecticut / neither saw General Hascall
when WAS at Flint. nor have l ever exchanged
with him dozen words on any matter OF party
politics This is all fiction. Whatever have
done has been done openly and l absolve from
every obligation OF secrecy all persons with whom
have conversed on matters pertaining to pubic
men or party measures.
Part of The article in The Tribune is letter
signed by A. P. Davis Of Flint, in Michigan.
He processes to have discovered the clue to my
"inveterate hostility" 10 Mr.. Clay, in the aiore-
said nomination, and in the fact of my first mar
rage having been into the Marshall family. Now
it turns out that my first marriage was not into
the Marshall family, and that that family, in Ken.
lucky, are, with but two exceptions so far as /
have heard, favorable to the election of Mr.. Clay
The charge of inveterate hostility to Mr.. Clay
if it mean any thing more than political opposi-
TOMS wholly imaginary. l have no reasons
for opposing Mr.. Clay on personal grounds. On
the contrary the intercourse we have had has been
Of the most friendly character l oppose his
election, because Le disbelievcs the great political
truths of the Declaration of Independence, the
foundation of all just Government and because
he repudiates the paramount object of the UNIoN,
the perpetuation of liberty to all. On the same
ground oppose the election of Mr.. Polk. But
more deprecate the election of Mr.. Ciay-be-
cause, possessing abilities superior to Mr. Folks,
he would proportionaly weaken the influence of
those truths on the minds of our countrymen.
Respectfully. &c JAMES C. BlRNEY.
p. S. The only direct information have had
respecting this nomination has been conveyed TO
mo by member of the Wing party residing at
Saginaw in letter just received. His language
shews that my nomination to the Legislature is
not OWING to party attacnihenl' iie Ssys'
think you may make up your mind to spend this
winter in Detroit, for this seems to be the wish OF
good number of both parties"
Addenda by tie Editor.
And now, having given space to an extended
exposition, or representation, by Mr. Bnney, OF
the circumstances under which he has been nom-
mated by the Loco.F ocos of bis County for seat
in the Legislature of Michigan, We will leave our
readers to judge Of the completeness and candor
Of these representations, while We simply ask our
correspondent three plain questions, to which We
desire straightforward answers They are:
Mr.. James G. Biney-Were you not well sat
irhed, before you left Michigan, that tho party
supporting Polk and Dslla. would nominate you
rs their candidate for the Legislature
Is it habit of that party TO nominate members