The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-12
Letter OF Colonel Jefferson Dav,.

lowing wew written letter from Col Jefferson Davis one
OF the distinguished officers of the last war; and at pres
en senator of the United States from the State of Mis-
sssippi.
Col Davis has, readers know been designal ed
| by common rumor as one of those who might take a
seat IN Gen. Iayors cabinet in the event of his cleo
ton. His connexion with General Taylors family is
also well known and has been much commented on in the
political circles as likely to bear IN measure upon
their public relations 1t will be seen that both as a
democrat and southern man, Mr.. Davis, upon a view
OF the whole ground, announced his firm determination
10 give his support and his to General Cass He
accompanies tins announcement with the declaration
lhat there is nothing the personal character of either
oil The two candidates for the presidency TO prevent any
man from voting for either of them solely in view
| OF his preference for the systems of policy which
they represent So far this remark applies
| to General Iayors private and professional char
acter, we see no occasion TO differ with Col Davis
we have always endeavored, throughout the CANVASS
to do justice to General Taylos military merits and
achievements. As we declared publicly from the platform
upon Pennsylvania avenue, "would not willingly
pluck hair from his head strip single leaf from the
laurel wreath which adorns his brow" In so far as Mr.
Daviss remark applies to General Tayors civil quaf.
Gallons Tor the presidency, must still dissent from it,
as we have heretofore done though now that he is
doubtless elected, shall be glad to him prove by
his wisdom and mness in the administration of the gov.
ernmen that we have been in this respect mistaken
The letter OF Col Davis conforms in spirit to the con-
stituon itself II belongs TO the republican school of
consructloniss, and limits the administration of the
government TO the strict principles which the consu-
ton is established was intended to be government of
specified and limited powers founded in spirit of com
promise, and having respect TO the equal rights of all
the sovereign States and the general interests of the
whole confederacy, without regard to sections or to
classes and cques If Gen Tayor's administration be
conducted on these principles will be happy for hi,
country and we should hope, happy for himself But he
cannot conform to the acquisitions of this letter without
disappointing many who have elected him. and without
offence to the selfish interests and the violent predices
of some of the leader, who have warmly supported him
We fear that he will carry these republican princi
pies We that he will enter upon the duties
of his high office without having the full confidence of
those who preferred the Embodiment to himself and that
every effort will be made to bring him into the track
He must be an ultra whg in practice they will be
disappointed We have serious fears about his course
and his measures, if he should venture to recommend
Iany. But, repeat, .'we shall see
We give the whole of this letter below but at the
hazard OF repetition, recommend the following para
graph from it to our readers:
Separating myself far possible from the prejudice
may naturally feel for the creed my entire poiti
cal e 1t seems to me evident and demonsabe that the
South should faernize with the democracy This is the
party OF strict constructon of checks and balances and
constitutional restraints We of the South the mnori
ty, and such we must remain property security
in the Union, depends upon the power of the constitutional
curb with which check the Otherwise unbrided will of
the m IA fa1a
its interference with the currency the constitutional
grant OF power to coin money, and regulate the value
thereof the minority have little fear from its abuse
80 long as duties are laid for other purpose than
vide money means to the specific grants
the constitution the weak have little fear from the class
legislation of the strong; section nothing dread
from the power of another by indirect axaon drain its
substance for the improvement OF rivers the construction
Of roads, canals and harbors for that others benefit
Let me not be understood as claiming unannity of the
democratic upon the great princ but only
they find their support and rely their success on
the ranks OF the democracy Among the checks provided
in our federal compact the Executive prominent as
well for its popular nature for the beneficial effects
which has produced in past times and for the salutary
influence hereafter especially protecting
the constitutional rights Of the minority.
We approve strongly of Colonel Davis's views as
to the veto power, to the construction of the con-
stution by the democratic party and as. the natu-
raj attitude of the southern States relation to that con-
ton of our Union. We must be excused however, for
expressing some difference of opinion with Colonel Davis
when he declares that the issue of slavery in the Terri
tories it has been presented" to the South admits
of no compromise" Whatever may have been our
opinions upon this matter issue of abstract right be-
tween the North and the South whatever may have
been the views which took of the Missouri compro-
mise, when it originally proposed, we should
yet be happy to this knotty, and difficult, and
agitatng question settled either upon the basis
of the Missouri compromise, of the compromise
bill adopted by the Senate at its last session. When the
Missouri compromise first presented to the country
as question, confess were as much opposed
to it any southern Now that it has been adopted
and stood for near thirty yearsnow that long expe
rience has shown its beneftsnow when we see in con-
federacy of sovereign States the necessity of Cancellation
we willing to regard it compact and abide by it, and
extend it to the territories II this cannot be DONE we
will be satisfied with the compromise presented TO the
country in Mr.. Clayons bill We are satisfied that the
South will be willing to adopt this Laying out of view
the question Of the probability improbabty of slaves
being carried to the Territories, the question the
southern States is question of their equal rights with
the other members of our confederaey. We hope that
the whole question will be settled upon basis of COM
promise at the next session of Congress
We had hoped that if General Cass We're elected the
question might be adjusted the coming session of Con-