Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-09-01

= nv '"'h'"i''G 70 e"t iSI'y W az ibttiiScHb
mechanic to Mir. Faulkner, for the favor Of
copy of Mr.. Toombs speech a
BoLIyAR, near IIarpers Ferry, Va,
July 18th, 1852
Sill: la am one Of those who, before the
present Constitution of Virginia went iuto
operation, were subjects OF tue Government
without being citizens, Consequently. had
no vote to give you last November; but my
gratitude for yeur efficient labors in the State
reform Convention; my confidence in the
soundncss Of your opinions upon all the great
questions which diside the two great politi-
cal parties; and my admiration Of your char
acter and abilities as public man, culiste4
nue. warmly in ycuasupport; and on my part
nothing within the small compass Of my abil
tiles was lett undonc, that could contribute
to your election. | therefore ask Of your
courtesy. (what perhaps a constituent might
claim from his Representative sss rlght, J per.
mission 60 address S6u few words IL feia-
tion to the extraordinary political coisrse you
have though proper to pursue, and in, answer
to the communication ! have just received
from you, in the shape Of speech delivered
by Mr.. Toombs of Georgia. touching the APP
proachirg Presidential election" to which is
appended the "pronuhciamento which has
made you aud your associate seceders famous
The legitimate inference from the fact of
your having circulated this speech is, that
You endorse the sentiments and opinions that
1t contains, as well as those contained in the
address to which you have affixed your sig.
nature
| have these documents, Cor rather this
document) now before me- 1t purports to
give the reasons, or some Of them, why you
refuse to support General Scott for the Pres
idency, and advise Southern Union Wings to
prefer General Pierce have read them
carefully. and | can not discover a single one
that will bear Investigation. Al are based
upon false promises
Says Mr. Toombs: Il do not know of a
single sentiment ever uttered by Gen. Scott,
in relation to the principles settled by the
compromise, or in relation to the subject Of
slavery in general. that is in unison with my
own or the convictions Of the slave holiday
States ofthis Union" The 'Pronunciamen
to- says -"He obstinately refused, up to the
time Of his nomination to give any public
opinion in favor of the Compromise" Mr..
Toombs says of Gen peirce-"From my
small knowledge Of his history, take him to
be an carly, consistent, and energetic oppo-
nent of anti SLAYER fanaticism in all its forms,
andaa firm and decided friend of the Compro
mise"
Now Mr. Toombs' Knowledge Of the his
tory OF Scott, as well as Pierce must be very
small indeed, it he does not know that Gen.
Scott most uhqualifedly declared himself in
favor OF those measures, in the presence Of
thousands or his fellow citizens, at Castle
Garden in the city of New York. Was not
that giving public opinion in favor Of these
acts?" ] cannot imagine what constitutes
public expression of opinion, if that speech
was not one. You cannot be ignorant of this
fact, nor Of the other conclusive fact, that
Gen. Scott, in Washington, while those mea-
sures were pending supported Clay with all
his ability and influence, il his efforts to pro-
cure their passage. Thus the objection falls
to the ground
May ask you in this connection. if Gen.
Pierce did not refuse to give any public
expression ofopinion in favor Of the Compro-
mise, when Intercepted ny II. q. Scott Of
Richmond and has he ever replied to Mr..
Scots letter up to this date Moreover,
sir does your knowledge Of General Pierce 5
history comprise any coguizance Of the fact
that, in speech at New Boston, in New
Hampshire, ho declared that ne "loatted the
Fugitive Slave Law" that Tho had a hor
ror Of giving up slave, that the features
of the Fugitive Slave Law were opposed to
the common law, TO moral right, and to hu
mainly h Permit me TO express my aston
ishmeht that any man with these facts star
ing him in the face, can assert that Pierce
stood fairer upon tho Compromise before his
nomination than. G en- Scott. ] do not think
any one win be deceived by this aimsy pre-
tenee.
You also allege. that "Gen. Scott has not
since bis nomination made any declaration Of
his approval of those measures as a final adj
justment Of the issues in controversy" Now
ola ;o ~ hios III, n ,,eelf t,neL iiln1 - tho m ~