The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-12

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The choice OF President which from your letter |
INFER Will be the special subject of consideration at your
proposed meeting, must depend upon the policy adopt
and the party with which decide TO affiliate for the
future: Who shall be President is question OF passing
and minor importance except connected with the prn
clpes which will govern and the measures which will
follow his administration. These, under the political
organization OF our day. to be judged by the parry
which sustain his election and upon which he must rely
Tor support when in power There has been change in
the dress IN which measures are presented but parties
are divided as heretofore on principles; the difference is
RADICAL and Is TO be decided by the which
have Influenced different minds, and in times gone by
drawn them from the premises opposite conclu-
slons forming among our people two great classes of
political opinion. We are called on 10 choose between
the wing and democratic parties of the United States and
as there is no well founded personal objection either of
their candidates for the presidency are free from this
disturbing influence, and left to decide upon the
and principles they avow
Separating myself as far possible from the prejudice
may very naturally feel for The creed of my entire po
cal HE, It seems TO me evident and demonsable that
the South should fraterniZe with the democracy This
IS the party OF strict construction, of checks and bal
ances' and constitutional restraints, We of the South
s s e security and bs bs
of the constitutional curb with which we check the
otherwise unbrided will of the majority So long as the
federal government limits its interference with the cur
rency to the constitutional grant of power coin money
and regulate the value thereof the minority have little to
fear from It's abuse long duties are laid for no
other purpose than TO provide money exc
cute The SPECIFIC grants OF the constitution, the weak
have little to fear from the class legislation of the
strong or one section nothing to dread from the power
OF another by indirect taxaon TO drain substance for
the Improvement of rivers, the construction of roads
canals and harbors for that others benefit Let me not
be understood as claiming unanimty of the democratic
party upon the great principles, but only that they find
their support and must rely to- their the ranks
OF the democracy Among the checks provided in our
federal compact the Executive veto is prominent as well
Tor ITS popular nature as for the beneficial effects which il
has produced IN past times and for the sautay influence
may exert hereafter, especially in protecting the constr
tutlonal rights of the minority
For he Hrrc tipp tuall ,ba1
acy to advocate Its Preservation and for the latter
consideration, might have been expected that all south
ern men would insist upon its remaining with all its
original scope and power Though in form of gov
rent, polltcians can never become class warning
against the people they may nevertheless have private
interests controlling their public conduct. and il is truth
established by many examples that representatives do
always reflect the will of their constituents in
such cases the Executive veto has been exhibited in its
popular characte but It's great object and Use is to re-
strain irresponsible majortes from unconstitutional az
gresslons on mnorites No power could be less liable
to abuse, because no corrupt ambitious motive could
induce to its exercise; either the other would bend
to the strong take protection under the legislative
preston OF popular WILL instead of Drawing dominant
majority to protect the weak TO maintain principle
The veto OF the President gives to a considerable mnor
y power which may be relied on to shield ii from legis
latve invasion of vital right For instance the wide
spread, settled and increasing hostility in the North to
our domestic slavery must be expected to manifest itself
in every form in which that institution be assaled
In the present division OF parties the power of the
South, If united TO- dictate terms to party the
pledged by his constitutional veto prevent the passage
OF law which would violate right paramount with
us to all other considerations
Upon the right of shareholders to migrate with their
property into territory belonging in to the States
of the Unon you have been presented by the North with
an issue as offensive 10 your selfespec unjust your
constitutional rights.
1t has been assumed that domestic slavery is moral
and political ev and from this hypothesis of those who
are practically Ignorant OF the subject the conclusion is
drawn that ITS further extension should be prevented In
the face OF all historical TRUTH it has been in the
quarter asserted that slavery is the creation of local law
As property, it is regulated by aw but where are the
statutes regulating it Traced to the time of the law
glver Moses, we find it then treated established
state OF society. and regulations made for it such
So 1t is viewed in our federal compact Its condition
of existence is to be decided by State soveegnes only
being beyond the range of federal legislation, and above
the power OF Territorial government This issue, in the
form in which 1t is presented admits of compromise;
the other must yield before there be any basis
for adjustment The southern States have to some
tent shown Willingness to consider the Missouri
promise compact and to extend and continue it but
this cannot be acceded to by those who contend for the
total exclusion of slavery from the Territories resting
must upon our rights as Joint proprietors of the public
domain. In deciding the question, with which of the
two great parties of the Union should the South affiliate,
it is important to inquire how they stand affected TO-
wards us upon this grave issue
So far shown by their representatives in Congress,
does not appear that either of the parties in the North
are fully with but there is this important difference
SO far as fraternal feeling was manifested by the non
savehoding States found in the ranks of the de-
mocracy Denounced and divided at home, because of
their support of the constitutional rights of the South
shall they be suspected and repulsed by us' Have we
reached the point at which northern be trust
ed to administer the government If So have reached
the limit beyond which union to be bless
ing.
For what, under such state of facts, and with the
avowal OF such position, sectional minority hope
In viewing the progress of the present the
North, we find the nominee of the Baltimore Convention
opposed by portion of the old democratic party whose
watchword is opposition 10 the extension of slavery
What higher recommendation could he have to your con
hdence' 1t is not necessary, would the limits of
letter permit that should discuss the characters quail
hcations, and services of men well known as Cass
and Butler. AS little it be required that should JUS
hty to you my intention to vote past occasions,
the democratic electoral ticket
Having already extended this letter beyond my original
design will only further trouble you, gentlemen, with
request that you will make my apology such of
friends may expect my attendance and with the
dent hope that canvass will be conducted with the
harmony and Cancellation becoming men who have
mon interests which lie beyond, and are of paramount
Importance TO it, allow to offer to you, individually,
my thanks for your kindness and best wishes for your
prosperity. Very truly your FRIEND
JEFFERSON DAVIS
Mcssrs H. r. Davis, B. Killgore H. King W. j.
Hodge, R. Phpps, ii. Strong, Committee of Invitation.
INAUGURATION DAY.-MesTs Editors Ii is asserted that
the ensuing 4th OF March Sunday Is so? And
i so, who is President on that day! Respectfully
We correspondent by saying that the 18th