The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-01
Letter Of John Macpherson Berrien.

RIEN TO one of the editors of that paper. Re-
cent domestic Affections are among the causes
slated by the Rereiite as having had their in
iiuence in lettering Judge BERRiEN from
more active participation in the present can
vass. The letter should be read by every
waverng Wing, if any such there be-:
RooKINaHAM, October lS, 1852.
DEAR SiR The last mail brought to me your
letter OF the 18th instant, in which you call my
attention to an article published in the Repeils of
the 18th utimo, in relation to my support of the
Wing nomination Of SCOTT and GRAHAM, and ask
from me a statement of the reasons which will in.
duence my vote in the choice of electors. | pro-
coed to comply with your request: IT,
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, l have for
borne to intrude mine upon the public. saw the
article In the ReusiIls to which you REFER and al
though had no agency in producing it, yet enter
tanning and having expressed the opinion which it
attributes to me, had, Of course, no objection to
the public announcement of it. Thus would have
suffered the matter to rest. do not attach such
importance to any opinion OF mine as you are
pleased to ascribe to it, But you tell that doubts
concerning my position have been expressed In va
rious quarters, and by my friends, in consequence
of the silence which l have hitherto maintained I
am unwilling that this state of things should con
tinue. ] am, indeed, a mere private individual,
but the greater part of my life has been spent in
the service Of the people Of Georgia, and they are
entitled, any Of them who desires it ia entitled
to understand my views matters of public con
Germ. At any rate, desire to be understood by my
friends
The opinions and feelings which influence me
are those which have heretofore expressed in the
Senate of the United States, minglng with strong
conviction of Southern Rights an unfaltering de.
voton to the Union. That conviction Is unchanged.
That feeling Is undimnished. They teach me to
acquiesce in those measures denominated "the
Compromise" and anxiousIy to avoid any renewed
agitation OF the slavery question, lest it should add
to the unfortunate results of the late unhappy con.
troversy. Deplorng the distracted counsels OF
those with whom had been 30 long politically as
socaed in the State, it is impossible for me, even
in this retirement, and isolated l am from the
struggles of the Presidential canvass, to look with
indifference to the issue of the contest My reflec-
tons on this subject have led to the following con-
illusions:
believe that fidelity to the principles and usages
of the Wing party requires that the Wings of cor.
gia should vote for General ScoTT and VIM A.
GRAHAM.
believe that their election will be most condu.
GIVE to the welfare OF the Union.
believe that the policy which will be forced on
the Democratic nominee by the leaders of the party,
if he should be elected, will eventuate in the extern
sion of our territory, and the renewed agitation of
the slavery question, from which we have nothing
to hope, and every thing to fear.
propose, therefore, to give my vote for General
Scott and Mr.. Graham, and proceed to state some
OF the reasons which will induce that vote:
lam Southern Wing. In prosperity and ad-
those conservative principles which, in my jGdg.
ment, constitute it's chiefvalue In that character,
| consider myself bound in honor to sustain the
nomination of the Baltimore Wing Convention, in
which was represented by the delegates from the
Wing party of Georgia, and in which my personal
wishes and preferences were urged by those dele.
gates, with zeal and energy which left me moth
ing to complain of. had expressed publicly my
preference for the nomination of Mr.. Fillmore
Without detractng from the merits of his competi.
tore, thought that the ability and impartiality
with which he had exercised his high functions
gave him claim to my vote, and it would have
afforded me pleasure to have given it to him. But
Mr.. Fiilmore's claims have been submitted to q
convention representing the Wing party of the
Union, and their long and anxious deliberations
Can refuse to abide by the decision of that con-
vention, OF which those who represented me consti
tuted part? If Mr.. Fillmore had been nominated,
would have claimed for him the support of the
friends Of Gen. Scott and Mr.. Webster. Can l
fairly honestly refuse to give to Gen. Scott the
support which, if Mr.. Fillmore had been nomi-
mated would have claimed for him from Gen.
Scott and his friends?
Did the Wings of Georgia, and as one of them,
send delegates to the Baltimore Convention, in
tending to profit by decision in favor of the
didatc of our choice, and with determination not
to abide by decision against him?
Suppose, at the opening Of the conven ton, the
delegates from Georgia had said to their associ
ates, awe come here as Georgia Wings, to Join
with, you in the selection of candidate for the
Presidency If you will nominate Mr.. Fillmore
or Mr. Wehat W w fn tv ito in he
support Of either, but if you nominate General
Scott we will hold ourselves at liberty to select
another candidate, or to vote for the Democratic
nominee" This would have been q frank declara-
ton, yet, considering the purpose for which the
convention met, not very sensible one. But does
any man 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 to themselves could
the friends Of General Scott have allowed them to
do so? Not having avowed this purpose-having
participated in that action-having zeaously en-.
deavorcd to enforce their preference for Mr. Fill
moroccan they, can those who were represented
by them, refuse to abide by the decision Of the
convention? know that Mr.. Fillmore disapproves
such course, as Incompatible with the duty of
genuine Wing. feel that cannot adopt it with
out violating the pledge which was given for me
by those who represented me in the convention.
The same question was presented to me. and to
many other Wings Of Georgia, when General Tay-
lor was nominated. had long cherished pre-.
ference for Mr.. Clay. felt hatinjustce had been
done to his vastly superior claims by the nomina-
ton of General Taylor; that the country would, if
we were successful in the contest, be deprived of
the services of one who pre- emincntly qualified
to discharge the duties of the Presidential Office
But the Wings OF Georgia had been represented in
the convention which nominated General Taylor
and the claims OF Mr.. Clay had been presented to
that body. Acting in obedience to the usages of
that party, and in fulilment of the implied pledge
which is given by all who participate in these con
situations, felt myself bound to support the nomi
III hat and Il Ir,,,o
tive support-endeavoring Gin some insta noes sue.
cessfully, as was gratfed to learn) to overcome
the reluctance of those who, like me- had been an x
ious for the nomination of Mr.. Clay.
The same considerations will induce me to give
my vote for General Scott and William A. Ora
ham in the approaching election.
These considerations will explain why shall
vote for General Scott in preference to any other
Wing. will add, that do not consider Mr.. Web.
ser as a candidate. Having submitted hts claims
TO the Baltimore Convention, he is, think, bound
in honor to abide by their decision, and not to
allow his name to be used TO the injury Of their
nominee. ] feel assured that suoh must be his
own view. But, however this may be, it is obvious
that his election ia utterly hopeless. vote given
for his electoral ticket by any Wing will therefore
I,,k,