The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-26

sanshp and sereliance in the chief executive Office
The condition OF the Old World and the commotion in
process throughout the greater part OF Europe give
Importance foreign relations that lnently
qules the training and experience OF the cabinet rather
than of the camp, and the wisdom OF the statesman than
the courage of the hero
The people OF the United States would commit a CAPT
tai mistake, if, al such uncure, peferTing availability
10 fitness, and the dominion OF party TO the safety of the
state they rejected the qualities OF the statesman and
elected President altogether unrestricted and xper
eneed.
II moreover behooves the people and those of Della
ware more especially, to reflect that in domestic
latons there of profound ,olicude, il not OF
great apprehension perhaps, than at any former
period For the first time In the history OF thu country,
mschIevous schemes are undlsgusedly maturing for d.
vsding our political parties by geographical limits and IN
regard to questions appealing to sectional prejudces and
tending to ALLEVIATE one portion OF the Union from the
ether, 1t is impossible that the people of Delaware
should not that IN the combinations in progress,
the constitutional compromises directly assaiied II
would be idle to profess respect for these compromises
in the face OF perseverng efforts TO weaken the political
influence and cast odum and reproach upon those States
whose interest they intended TO protect But, when
to this is added the deliberate purpose Of disegardins
their constitutional rights whatever they be- and OF
building up political power in open opposition 10 all their
notions OF equal participation the privileges secured
by the constitution the scheme itself must be arrested
the Union will not have strength to IT. Who
there this country sanguine enough TO Imagine that
political power in the Union be based upon
without SCATTERING glorious fabric into fragments
and who, more than the people of Delaware are inter-
ested in avering that dread catastrophe warn them
of the danger 10 which they exposed, and would
beseech them, perlous crisis, to rise above the
ordinary restraints of parties, and TO rally upon cause
in which they may find their greatest safety
No American statesman can doubt that the excitement
pervadng the Unon from the causes already stated
can only be allayed and that the schemes ii agafn
only be adjusted bypaotc orbeaance and wise COM
promise The spirit in which the constitution form
ed if we to perpetuae IT. must preside over lis ad
minstraton and the question would beseech every
in Delaware ask himself is, upon which of the parties
"A
factory and harmonious adjustment OF the difficulties sur
rounding us For myself, after SO many years OF obser
vation conscienousIy believe that best, if moi
only reliance Tor an harmonious compromise OF our embar
easements, must be upon the patriotism, and intelligence
and virtue of the democratic party The past conduct
and present disposition OF that party leave
doubt it. do not conceal from myself that in every
previous instance the assaults upon the peculiar lnsttu
lions and privileges of the South and all the sectional
asltaoRs that have heretofore arisen to disturb the har
mony of the country, have uniformly proceeded from the
opposition. They have occurred almost periodically,
though less degree than the present instance, with
every presidential election and have been used the
means of Infamlng the preudices and passions OF the
people and they nave been as uniformly resisted by the
democratic party often the imminent hazard OF Its pop
ularty and power
In the present crisis, full of peril, the democratic
party not less distinguished than heretofore by their
and patriotic treatment OF the questions IN agitation
Dsdanng every appeal local sectional preudices
popular support they discaim any interference with the
Institutions and privileges authorized by the constitution
of the Union and determine TO leave the regulation Of
the subject the people of the States and Territories
cordng the provisions and subject to the restraints OF
the constitution have myself doubt that upon this
basis or modification OF only, the difficulties
he haTmonized The accomplished statesman presented
by the democratic party their candidate for the presl-
dency at early period and little risk to s popu
lary, placed himself upon the ground, and staked
his poltca! ambition upon the issue One OF your own
feeling that the very existence oil the Union de-
enIcd upon satisfactory adjustment OF the subject
brought 10 the notice OF the Senate, and became
spcuous meiHber of the committee to whom II was refer
red The committee united in the recommendation of
sch n substantially
principle that avowei By Gen Cass; and with the aid
of the desocratc vote cay IN the Senate, secured
the appreciation of that branch of Congress Ii could
have been dealt with in the same spirit in the House of
Representatives, this critical subject would have been
put forever at rest and those mischevous elements that
now agtatng the Union would have been scattered
10 the winds
Having wearied you with so long letter, which for
the want OF time and pressure OF other engagements
am unable to condense, will be obliged to omit much
that might otherwise urge upon the attention OF the
people of Delaware. | am unwilling, however to con-
cude without expressing my confidence IN the fitness and
qualifications of the eminent statesman whom the demo-
cratic party have presented to the public support Their
candidate for the presidency the present Crisis have
known General Cass from my youth upwards and
his colleague the cabinet OF Gen Jackson during per-
haps the most eventiul period OF the administration OF
that distinguished man. His opponents concede him
the merit of great abilities profound accomplishments
and ripe experience; and may add. that he is not less
distinguished for prompt and ready intellect and sound
practical Familiar with public affairs with the
great interests Of the country and all the measures of
public policy that have arisen IN the last forty
years, he possesses great self-relance, though uni
formy practising kind and forbearng DISPOSE
ton towards the sentiments of others. The son
of distinguished revolutionary officer, the first
lesson he learned devotion to his country and TO 1t
and the federal Union he has unwaverngly adhered.
His services the field and in the cabinet, and especially
the of France afford abusive evidence OF his
courage and PATRIOTISM not less than his sagacty Gen
spubc life has been SPENT and his character formed,
in intimate association it'll most OF the eminent men
who have adorned history, and their example has
obviously exercised powerful influence on his public
and private life. | need not, however, dwell upon the
character and qualifications of statesman already so
well known; and when it can be said OF public man,
after more than forty years of arduous service that he
estimabe in all his private relations, accomplished
statesman, firm and honest his purposes and devoted
TO his countrys honor and happiness, do that
could be added to ene him to the support OF his
countIymen.
remain, gentlemen, faithfully and respectfully your
fellow citizen, LOUIS McLANE.
To Alexander Porter, c. p. Johnson, FL +. Askew. w
r Sellars, Henry Hicks, VIM. Penn Chandler, A. c.
Bradford John McClung William huntington, William
G. Whiteey George Read Riddle and Jacob Barr,
esquires.