Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-10-25
11r. Renn,s Letter.

AOS"so ~ ksSSs"oy """s S~fS
the circumstances: the author says he is in IA
vor of the Compromise, and that he is no dis
~unionist but he takes such u quantity of
words to make this palpable, that we must be
excused from publishing his lengthy and labor
ed epistle. Who would for an instant suppose,
at this day, that MI. PENN would pen disunion
sentiments, when SoULE deems It wise to make
a retrograde motion, and MORSE absolutely
backing right square OUT from secession ten.
denotes! Could any one expect the Dcmocra.
tic candidate for the Third Congressional Dis
trict any longer TO be mum upon the sacred
subject Of our Union, after being directly called
OUT by Mr.. UProS-but particularly. after his
great compeers have "taken the back track"
through the force Of popular opprobium! Be-
cause forced to rescind what they advanced
from principle, these sturdy Democrats 7sow
proclaim themselves the warm and ardent ad-
herents of our glorious Union! But Mr.. PENN,
more far-seeing it seems than the representa-
tive of the Fourth District, or the "gentleman
from Bordeaux" himself, says nothing until he
knows what to say. He reminds US Of many
political a~srirants we have had the fortune to
meet wiih--men Of very inferior abilities, Of
small compass Of mind, but shrewd and cum
ming to a nicely: they are not going, impru.
IDENTIFY and recklessly, to crush their hopes and
prospects by any direct act or avowal, by which
their sentiments may be known-not they
Having no power Of mind save the power of
caution, and no real sentiments, they await the
issue Of events--await the issue of great ques-
t~ions-when, as straight in the wake of popu-
lar feeling as the sucker follows the shark, these
politicians of principle steer with remarkable
precision--they come out, then, aamingly and
vauntingly-beg 10 refer to their past acts as
proof Of their purity-and assert their undying
fealty to those doctrines which the country at
large and the superiors Of their own party, have
pronounced as the true and genuine doctrines
Of a republican people. Out upon such grasp.
ers after political fame! The idea of the Hon.
A.. 6. PENN referring to his past acts as proof
of his Union sentiments! He "never uttered
disunion sentiments !" OF course not. Why,
a cricket beneath the eagle back of the Speak
er's chair in the House of Representatives,
would have created more noise, and probably |
more attention, than have any remarks
upon any subject whatever which this sage rep
have ever divulged before that au.
gust body! Had Mississippi, and Georgia, and
South Carolina, succeeded in the reasonable
which ambitious men gave origin to !!
had a great portion of Louisiana, instigated
BY SouLE, and MORSE, and smaller fry" Sc.
'onded the rabid politicians of these States,
the black flag woven by members of the
party, had triumphed incur day of
:rouble and danger, who would Believe that
his proclaimer Of his principles at the eleventh
,our, would have discarded the banner of his
colleagues and his party, and registered his
lisapproval Of Secession and Disunion.
We assert boldly, that this letter of Mr..
PENN. if it has not come too late for his defeat,
Ias at least come too late for his honor-too late
or the establishment of his independence As
statesman-too late for the preservation of
is character as an able and efficient man to
a Congressional District in our Ma.
Ional Council. This is our free, unbiased and
dependent view Of MI. PEsH's letter, drawn
'om differences that are legitimate and just in
the acts, pretcnsions, qualifications
nd principles Of public men, aspiring to Offices
{ honor and trust, aud where education and
~atellect, and high moral attachments, are con-
inseparable and indispensable.
As . proof that Mr.. PENN was particularly
areful not publicly to express his sentiments,
he could possibly avoid it, this gigantic pro-
uction is the 6rst essay that we have seen of
is since he has been a candidate for Congress,
in the shape Of a letter, or report Of
ny public address which, It may be supposed
e has made to his fellow.citizens. We have
OF yet heard that he ever addressed the people
T any portion Of this District-and we have
ct to know that he is able "a. do so! Sending I
man to Congress who sits silently listening
, the abuse of our Southern interests and
character, and actually disqualified
make a reply! Where is the ambition of
10 Third District! {
And now, in regard TO this last %supposition
II. PENN declines to meet Mr.. UpTos in dc.
because he "cannot again" take the trou. a
to visit his fellow citizens, after MI. UProH q
lad near three months notice" of his nomina.
on--who, it is we'll known, and zoe know it, q
of all others that Mr.. UProH did not and {
not considered a candidate two peeks pre-. il
Gus to his writing the letter of invitation to b
4: Penn. While doing his best for another d
to compete with Mr.. PENN, MI. v