Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-18
LETTER FROM SENATOR FooTE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION
Dean SIR ln your paper Of to-day you publish
muncaton which suggests the propey of explanation
being given by myself and others therein namedor some
one OF us at eastouchng certain supposed
Dc progress looking to the early assemblsge 10 the city Of
Washington Of Mass Union Convention having in view
the attainment Of political results Of various kinds and espe-
cay the election in 1852 Of President and Vice President
OF the United States, nominees Of National Union Con-
venon AS quite evident that serious misunderstanding
has arisen several quarters touching the Convention pro-
posed to be held in this city, and have been specially
called upon to aid, far may be in my power in the
counteracon of such notions on this subject az
may have become prevalent, shall with perfect frank
all that know about the mateno concealing aueht
that suppose to be at all material understanding
of the same. Before doing So you will allow premise
that for several years past has been apparent every dis
cening in the republic that The Union involved in
great danger from the prevalence OF influences operating,
with greater less efficiency, in all the free States of the
Confederacy ABoLITIOr under and specious name,
assuming public and potential connexon with the poll
teal concerns of the country Both the old parties had be-
deeply infected with the free-soi ant and the
disgusting huckseng for abolition and ree-sol
openly in progress in which truthful will deny that
both the Wing and Democratic parties of the North, to
gevous and discedtabe extent have been parcipat-
ing This deporsbe state Of things marked by several
of nature peculiarly shocking and censurab
Some Of the wises most Efficient and patriotic men,
both of the Democratic and Of the Wing party were assaIed
in the most ferocious manner by those who lead
ing influence in both those paes because they dared do
their duty their country and the constitution preference
to becoming the wreched tools of acion the merciess
organs Of fnacsm. Demagogues, easy be named
fast obanng ascendency, both old Whig and De-
mocratc parties of the free States and the
Of hostility the constitutional rights the States
were beginning command degree Of popular which
might well alarm all true patriots. This the case
extent at presents though hope that change opn
ion and feeling is in progress which may not
sonably checked discouraged, in thorough
form Of public sentiment throughout the Northern States of
the Confsderacy.
Meanwhile, perhaps be expected, certain
heated zeaos the South led on by unscrupulous de-
Rsgogue the country has any time contained have set
on foot party organization for dsunion purposes. In
my State and several others, State rights associations
formed which took upon themselves the exclusive
guardianship OF Southern rights and denounced all trail
the South who would abandon both the old national
parties, and unite with the rngeaders Of sedon and their
savsh myrmdons in the wicked scheme of resisting the
supremacy of the laws and breaking up the Union ITSELF
All earnestly invited join these mscaed Staesghts
associations whether they CHANGED to be Wings Demo-
cra who would consent TO become traitors to their country
Under the circumstances stated there evidently danger
Of both the old parties being broken pieces contami-
mated TO such extent to dsquay them for oil high
patriotic purposes and it seemed exceedingly clear
that unless organization entirely original could be maured
unless in other words, party could be formed
posed Of all the best Of both the old the Republic
ITSELF amidst the fierce collision Of conending factions, might
be utterly subverted.
When there thus every thing in the prospect of the
future discourage and alarm the friends of the Unon
two great patriotic and truly imposing popular movements
almost simultaneously made in the great cities Of
New York and Philadelphia with view TO bringing to-
gethe and to unite in bonds aerna association all who
willing sustain the constitution and laws, and to aid
in putting down sedion, whether exhibiting it's gogon crest
either north south Of Mason and Dxon's line. The
meetings in New York and Philadelphia alluded TO
quickly followed up various States both Of the North and
the South, and something like regular Union party al
ready known have been brought into existence various
Northern and Southern States which party, predict, will
continue to exist and operate with efficient conserva
tive influence without seriously disturbing the organization Of
the two old national parties but purifying and improving both
Of them, trust, until all the dangers which have hereto
fore menaced institutions shall disappeared Such
is nearly as describe it, the condition Of things
far the formation Of Union party concerned, at the
| present moment.
will now offer short explanation Of what has recently
occurred. Several gentlemen, including myself writ
ten to about ten days since by the Union Safety Committee
OF New requesting US TO express our opinion as TO the
expediency Of holding Union Mass Convention in WASH
ngon II thought that such convention might have
the effect Of mpang additional zeal and efficiency 10 the
movements Of the friends of the Union in every part of the
republic. expected that at this convention resolutions
would be adopted declaring the determination Of its members
to sustain the plan of adjustment in all its parts and to
operate in the prostraoR of faction and faconss wherever
they might be found exist The idea also suggested
and generally not unanimously approved that should be
recommended by the convention to loving citizens
every where celebrate the approaching anniversary Of
Washngons birthday by the holding Of Union meetings in
every village town. and city the continent Iconfes that
the proposition met with much favor with in the begin
ming and did not hesitate to declare at that il the
proposed could be kept entirely disconnected with
the Presidential question: should be than willing to
participate in it. But this separation deemed ndspensa
be and had the convention assembled designed offering
resolution to that effect which do not doubt would have
been unanimously sanctioned.
Only few days had elapsed after the reception Of this
letter from New York. before various obtained crcu
aton touching proposed conventional meeting; and
grave suspicious found expression ALSO which seemed to ad
monsh those who had first favored its assembling that for
several reasons Washington would not be the most suitable
place in all respects for theatre of action and believe
that all who have written the subject to the New York
committee have perfectly hamonzed in their views upon this
subject in regard all important points, from the beginning
to the end. So far from any dissenson or ileelng having
arisen among respect 70 the nomination Of Union can
eve that the subject Of the Presidential election
of such action that referred my hearing In
deed had thought that decidedly early for any
body politicians be making denvs arrange
mens in regard the Presidential election. For one,
least hesitate declare that until shall
tain the Union be safe, shall strive TO think little
possible either upon old party issues upon the election Of
Chief Magistrate in 1882 Until the republic shall be
cued from threatened ruin, should myself if could
participate any scheme whatever whether locking to
personal advancement to the triumph OF party and
those who do not to appreciate the high attributes
that belong the character Of such your coespon
dent has specially alluded o-CLAT, CAss Dickinson,
WEBSTER, Conn, DouaLAs, and others-hat have
heard one hese eentemen in the remote manner