Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-30
POSITION OF SENATOR BERRIEN, Cor eronorA.)

The subj0ined forcible and patriotic letter from
Senator BERRIEN reached by last evenings mail,
in the Georgia papers. The paper from which we
copy states that recent domestic Affections have pre-
vented Mr.. BERRIEN from making his views pub
licly known at an earlier day:
ROCKINGHAM OCTOBER Is, 1852.
DEAR SIR: The last mail brought to me your
letter Of the 18th instant in which you call my
attention to article published in the q Reveie 7
OF the 18th utimo, in relation to my support OF the
Wing nomination of ScorT and GRAHAM, and ask
from me statement of the reasons which will in.
fuence my vote in the choice of Electors. | pro-
coed to comply with your request
Precluded by the circumstances to which you
have adverted from taking an active part in the
Presidential canvass, and not supposing that the
simple expression of the opinions of mere private
individual could be of any Importance, have for
borne to .intrude mine upon the public. | saw the
article in the "Reveille" to which you refer, and
although had agency in producing it. yet entertain
ing and having expressed the opinion which it attributes
to me, had Of course objection to the public
nouncement of it. Thus would have suffered the mat
ter TO rest do attach such Importance any opin
ion Of mine as you are pleased to ascrbe to it. But
you tell me that doubts concerning my position have
been expressed in various quarters and by my friends
in consequence of the silence which have hitherto main
tnue. am, indeed mere private individuals but the
greater part of my life has been spent in the service Of
the people of Georgia. and they entitedany of
them who desires it is enedto understand my views
matters of public AT any rate desire to be
understood by my friends
The opinions and feelings which influence those
which have heretofore expressed in the Senate of tho
United States, mngng with strong conviction of South
rights unfaltering devotion to the Union. That
conviction is unchanged; that feeling is undimnished.
They teach to acquesce in those denomnat
ed the Compromise" and anxiousy to avoid any re-
newed agitation of the slavery question: lest it should add
the unfortunate results of the late unhappy
sy Deplorng the distracted counses of those with whom
had been long politically associated in the State it
impossible for me, in this retirement and isolated
from the struggles of the Presidential canvass, to
look with indifference the issue of the contest My
reflections ON this subject have led the following
illusions
believe that fidelity to the principles and usages Of
the Wing party require that the Wings of Georgia should
vote for Gen. Scorr and WM. A. GRAHAM.
believe that their election will be most conducive to
the welfare of the Union
believe that the policy which will be forced the
Democratic nominee by the leaders of the party If he
should be elected will in the extension of
territory and the renewed agitation of the slavery
tion from which have nothing hope and every thing
to fear.
propose, therefore to give my vote for Gen. ScoTT
and Mr. GRAHAM and proceed to state of the rea-
sons which viii induce that vote
am Southern Wing. In prosperity and adversely
have stood by this party cngng those conservative
principles which, in my Judgment, constitute its chief
value In that character, consider myself bound in
honor to sustain the nomination of the Baltimore Wing
Convention in which represented by delegates from
the of Georgia. and in which personal wishes
and preferences urged by those delegates with zeal
and energy which left nothing to complain Of had
publicly preference for the nomination of Mr.
FILLMORE. Without detracting from the merits of his
competitors, thought that the ability and impartiaity
with which he had exercised his functions gave him
claim to my vote and it would have afforded pleasure
to have given it him. But Mr. FLLMoREs claims have
been submitted Convention, representing the Wing
party Of the Union and their long and anxious debera
tons have resulted in the nomination of Gen. ScoTT Can
refuse abide by the decision of that Convention, of
which those who represented me constituted part If
Mr. FILLMORE had been nominated would have claimed
FOR him the support Of the friends Of Gen. ScoTT and Mr.
WEBSTER Can fairly, honestly refuse give to Gen.
Scott the support which, if Mr. Fillmore had been nom-
mated would have claimed for him, from Gen. Scott
and his friends?
| Did the Wings of Georgia. and / of them, send
delegates the Baltimore Convention intending profit
by decision in favor Of the candidate of choice and
with determination to abide by decision against
him? Suppose the opening Of the Convention the dele
gates from Georgia had said to their associates eve
here Georgia Wings join with you in the elec
ton of candidate for the Presidency If you will
inmate Mr.. Fillmore Mr.. Webster will cheerfully
unite in the support Of either but If you nominate Gen.
Scott we will hold ourselves at liberty to select another
candidate vote for the Democratic nominee" This
would have been frank declaration yet considering the
one But does any believe if such declaration had
been made that the delegates from Georgia would have
been allowed to participate in the future action Of the
Convention! In justice themselves could the friends
Of Cen Scott have allowed them to do so Not having
ayowed this purposehavng participated in that action,
having zeaousy endeavored to enforce their preference
for Mr. Fillmore-can they, those who repre-
Convention? know that Mr.. Fillmore disapproves such
course, as incompatible with the duty of genuine
Wing feel that adopt it, without violating the
pledge which given for by those who
me in the Convention.
The same question presented to me, and to many
other Wings of Georgia. when Gen. Taylor nominated
had long cherished preference for Mr.. Clay. felt
that injustice had been done his vastly superior claims
by the nomination Of Gen. Taylor that the country would
if we we're successful in the contest be deprived Of the
services Of who pre-emnently qualified to dis
charge the duties Of the Presidential Office But the
Wings of Georgia had been represented in the Conven