The daily union., 1852-07-07
Gov. coIIier's Letter on tho nominations.
MoEreoMrRY, June =. lss2.

on iof President and Vice President unhesiiatngy an
swer In the affirmative
was not an inatentye observer OF General Pierces
course while he was member OF the two houses OF Con-
gress and formed not only favorable opinion OF his tall
enis and integrity but also OF his political principles lie
Is republican upon the model OF l79Sg9-m
the general government 10 be the creature OF the cons
tuition. and the constitution compact between sovereign
States deegang certain powers and reseTying all others
As consequence, he would not enlarge the powers OF the
government BY atiludnarian construction which would
tolerate any interference with the domestic affairs of the
States and exercise powers which have other iounda
ton in the constitution than the varying opinions 10
what the common defence and general welfare" re-
quires.
In every character in which General Pierce is known
TO the public he has exhibited nerve, decision and in
domllabie enegy-qualites indispensable TO Chiei
Mag who would successfully discharge his consi
utional duties. These added TO his aainmens and ex-
perence as statesman, eminenty t him Tor the position
to which his friends desire TO elevate him
u must be admitted that the political tendency for years.
with occasional nermssions has been to transform the
federal character OF the American Union into
olidIied gouerament-destrucve OF the power and
spectabiiy Of the Slates and inoductve of oppression
little less tolerable than limited monarchy The
summation OF this change would be utterly subversve OF
The constitution and blighting to the fondly cherished
hopes of the fathers OF our country.
Our mission, under the guidance OF Providence, is a
noble one Il is TO bear the torch OF civilization and its
consequent blessings to humanity everywhere. He who
doubts hs has been Of passing eyeats and
has read TO little profit the history OF his country This
glorious mission in my judgment, can only be accom-
plshed by preserving the confederacy in lis integrity
mus restricting within their
governments of the States and the United States
respect the honesty and patriotism OF the federal party
in the early organization OF parties, when the govern
ment was experiment. and tbs idea Of human freedom
was denounced by many as incompatible with the igno
rance OF the The experience of more than sixty
years has proved the falsy of this dogma and il is
only necessary that aspiring politicians be mbued
with higher and purer Patriotism or the people them
selves conde less their sincerity to demonstrate with
mathematical certainty that man is capable Of self-gov-
ernment
With all Difference in my opinion, those who cknowl-
edge the constitution to be the supreme law must be
either federass or republicans according TO the CLASH
iicaiion OF Mr.. Jefferson and the elder Adams. They
who insist upon "higheT law" are political hybrds
the enemies Of social order and regulated freedom
The crisis in public affairs should arouse every
publican to action. II the Union is TO be maintained
conederacy OF States, we must place In the ascendant
The doctrines of l79S90 can imagine nothing likely
to effect this result as The election Of the democratic
Gen. Pierce belongs 10 the class OF northern statesmen
whose patriotism embraces the entire country and like
placed himself upon the catholic platform Of the consti-
tuition as expounded by the republican Jalters.
of Col King ! need not speak HIS name IS the
seryaiive statesman OF the Jenersonian school, His
public and private life well known TO u.s. and we
are all prepared to do him honor.
As soldier and successful military commander,
one places a higher estimate Gen. Scott than do
But the qualities that ht him for the field certainly do
not commend him 10 the cabinet. | render homage 10
his udcious and ar-seeng strategy; but these do not
indicate an acquaintance with the constitution OF his
country the social and political wants OF the people,
the principles OF public law, aud the surest and most
expedicnt means OF aiding the progressive spirit OF his
countrymen 10 advance growing America 10 manhood
and increased moral power.
assume that Gen Scott is well informed in civil
affairs most men oil education and practical intelligence
whose lives Tor than forty years have been assdu-
ously devoted 70 the army: IL is wonderful # a man
Of the presidency lis habits Of thinking and acting
the department 10 which he belongs, while they have
strengthened his decision OF ohareovr must hayc maie
nhl IN lsfAn
other counses else his want OF political Information
will be apt make him the dupe OF designing and pre-
tended friends.
This il the second effort in the United States to elevate
mere military chief,ain" The highest Office in the
government General Washington had most successfully
led the armies OF the country through our revolutionary
struggle, not TO acquire fame Tor himself, but TO promote
the OF human advancement. When his services in
the field longer required be returned 10 Mount
Vernon 10 pursue the more cherished occupation OF ag
culture.
General Jackson was lawyer, judge, senator
in Congress, and farmer, and only lett his home Tor
the baiileheld~t the voice Of his country aud when
peace restored he sought his highest enjoyment IN
the retreat OF his much loved " Hermitage"
Much the greater part OF General Harnson's puoic
life was spent IN service an The civil departments gov
ernment He territorial governor, member OF each
house Of Congress- was an ambassador abroad, 10 say
nothing OF less prominent positions and retired 10 "Norh
Bend" when the exgency that called him 10 the held
The United States have had but one military cbeftan
for their President He lived but ule more than one
short with Wnat success De aniDlnktefcd me
vernment, those who familiar with the history Of
his administration will form their own opinions, will
not pass Judgment on IL, but prefer 10 tread lightly
upon the ashes OF the honored dead"
II there no other objection TO Cen Scott Il seems
TO me the fact that his nomination produced BY in
uences aniagonstc the South, and which, " they
quire the ascendency in the Union, must dissolve it, OF
effect radical change in the government should cause his
Reputation not only by the South but by all who desire
" constitutional Union" In assuming the causes that
have placed General Scott before the country as the
leader of powerful party, do not draw proof from
his enemies His political friends IN Congress and the
public prints have again and again affirmed IL Some o
Them have declared with all poshveness that he wa:
the bantng of the most dangerous and unprIncped fac
ton that was known and II elected he must be in
great measure subservent TO it, How this may be rs no
for me to say The proof referred TO is accessible TO all
As friend OF every section OF the conederacy, and
Union upon the principles OF the constitution, sincerely
pray that the people OF the United States may elec
10 The chief magistracy military cheftan with
ont civic a,tainmens experiencetbat they will neve
so far forget what is due 10 patriotism and the high mis-
sion OF Young America TO allow the glory OF The bat
ehed obscure the less pretending but solid anc
reliable claims OF virtue and OF mind We have nothing
appreheud for the progressveness OF the country
the perpeuity OF institutions, II the people will hinl
and act for themselves.
With very kind and respectful regard, am your ODE
| dent servant, III. w. COLLIER.
/ Political ITENs-The Augusta Chronicle and Senti