The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-18
Hon. WAsHISoToN HUNT.


ALBANY, FRIDAY, Oct. ii, 1850. ,
NY DEAR SIR: l have received your letter in re-
lation the proceedings of the Wing State conven-
ton, and enclosing certain resolutions which
reported by Mr.. Duer, and afterwards superseded
by the adoption of Mr. Cornwells substitutes.
need not say to you how sincerely regret the
divisions to which you refer. Ii was my earnest
desire that spirit of Cancellation should animate
the proceedings of the convention.
was consulted on the subject before the meeting
of the convention, and gave my approval to the
resolutions TO which you alude, in the belief that
the sentiments of liberation which they express
would tend to insure harmony in our ranks.
1t appeared to me that they presented common
grounds Of justice and moderation upon which all
Whigs might unite without any Abandonment of
principle. Considering the position in which am
placed by the action OF the convention, do not feel
myself called upon to discuss the question how far
these resolutions conflict in principle with those
finally adopted by the majority. Every Wing
must Judge for himself whether in reality there is
such difference between them as should separate
those who have long acted together united by com
mon sentiments, in support Of great and vital prn-
ciples of public policy.
As you ask expression Of my opinion, can
not hesitate 10 state my views in relation TO the diff
fcrenres which unhappily distract and embarrass
the Wing party at the present moment.
SO far as these differences are personal IN their
character, consider them unworthy to engage the
thoughts disturb the action of great party. or
ganiZed for the establishment and advancement of
durable principles, and not for the qualification of
political leaders In respect 10 the merits Of par
tcular men, perfect freedom OF opinion and pre-
ference must be accorded TO all. IL is right which
cannot be questioned nor abridged, and which, i
trust will never be permitted to arrest our progress
in the attainment of objects OF paramount public
concern. Men rise and fall; they flourish and dis
appear but the principles for which contend
are as sacred as the Constitution, and as enduring
as the rights of self government.
The position Of the Wing party OF the Union, in
respect to the sectional questions which have agi,
tated the country, does not present TO my mind
the came cmbarrassments which seem to be enter
tanned by many Of our political friends. We all
know that a wide difference of sentiment exists in
the northern and southern mind on the subject Of
slavery. This difference is not a fact of recent orr
gin. It existed at the outset Of our national ca
rccr. Yet il did not deter our fathers from making
common cause and sharing common trials and sac
rifccs in the achievement Of our independence. II
insufficient 10 prevent the men Of the Revolu-
ton from uniting one people TO erect the wisest
system of free government yet seen upon earth.
Ii serious obstacle, yet IL did not defeat the
formation Of the Federal Constitution. Nor has il
been sufficient, during the subsequent period of
sixty years, to arrest our onward progress, as n
united people, in the enjoyment OF the blessings
and accomplishment OF the great purposes of our
national compact. For myself indulge no fears
that it will ever be permitted to touch the founda-
tons Of our glorious Union tits true that sectional
differences have sometimes produced violent COLI
siops Of opinion. and excited serious alarms. But
northern feeling and southern feeling have always
yielded TO the higher sentiment Of nationality, and
have proved loyal and subordinate TO that devotion
TO the Union which aninates the hearts of the whole
American people.
My attachment to the Wing party and ts prin-
ciples rests upon the conviction that il is emphat
caly the party Of the Union and the Constitution;
identified, i'm all its aims and aspirations, with
the perpetual preservation of both. | cannot adj
init that the Wings Of the North have in any
spect, or on any occasion, been found wanting in
fidelity to the Union. II s true resisted the
annexation Of Texas and the entire policy which
involved the country in an unnecessary war for
the further acquisition of southern territory. We
regarded these measures as incompatible with our
Just rights under the Federal compact. In our
opposition TO them, the Whigs Of the South stood
rnanfully by side. We Of the North we're in
fiuenced, in high degree, by repugnance to the
extension Of slavery and slave representation;
while the Wings Of the South we're Animated by D
patriotic desire TO preserve harmony and concord
between the different sections Of our common coun-
try.
Both were satisfied with the Union as II was. The
whole Wing party aimed TO avert the sectional
controversies which were so clearly foresccn. But
all our efforts were overpovered by the numerical
force Of our political opponents Northern, no less
than Southern Democrats, are responsible for the
accession OF all the territories which have proved
subject of discord and strife in and out OF Con gress
Pending the war with Mexico, and before any of
these conqucsts were made, we firmly and repeat
eddy declared TO the administratiorsand the coun-
try that If free territory were acquired, slavery
should not be extended over IL by any act ascent
of ours. These warnings we're unhecded, and the
territory secured. Our representatives in.
sisted upon prohibiting the introduction of slavery
while Il remained in territorial condition. In this
they faithful 10 the sentiment Of their constu
ents. II agitation arose, IL not Of seeking
To assume that our opposition TO the expansion of
slavery over a free country was aggression up
on the institutions Of the southern States, or IN in
vasion of their rights, under the Constitution is a
position which cannot be sustained by fact nor ar
gument u WAS an open question, 10 be decided
upon ne inherent merits, with single reference to
the rights and welfare Of the governed,