The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE POSITION OF
THE HUNKER DEMOCRACY

In our edition this week the reader will find
late correspondence between Robert q Scott
of Virginia, and the Democratic Presidential
candidates.
Mr.. Scott is Virginia politician, recent
convert to Democracy, respectable man. for
aught we know, but whose existence is now for
the first time brought to the notice of the
American People, by his assumption of the
office Of catechist- general, undertaken upon his
own personal responsibility, without authority
from any Party organization. 1t is an inter-
esting spectacle to see Generals, Colonies, and
Judges men who have grown gray in the SER
vice OF the country or themselves men who have
filled high station, spoken and voted upon all
the questions that have agitated the Union for
the last quarter Of century. men whose lives
are supposed by multitudes to have made an
essential part of the history of this Republic, if
not Of the mountaineering meekly at the feet
OF Robert &. Scott of Richmond, Virginia, and
laying themselves bare to his inspection, that
he may examine them, las slave-dealer does
value in the political market
1t is somewhat remarkable that not one Of
the legion OF Democratic aspirants for the
Presidency dared to reject or even botray symp
toms Of disgust at the ordeal except General
Wool Let us suppose an answer that might
have been given to this inquisitive gentleman
"STR If you have been reader of the news
papers, you know my principles and politics
from my words and votes; if you have not
let me advise you to subscribe to the Congress
sional Globe.
| refer you also to the Constitution of the
United States, which declares that
Al Legislative potOer herein granted shall be
vested in Congress of the United States,
which shall consist Of Senate and House OF
Representatives. -
And that the President
Shall take care that the laws be fatthfulv
executed
To ask me whether will pledge my veto in
advance on the legislation of Congress, is, to
ask whether will usurp legislative power and
the inquiry whether will maintain the Con-
sttution and enforce the laws passed in pursu-
ance of it, implies the suppositon that may
perjurc myself These are questions not fit to
be asked of any man, unless there be presump-
tive evidence that he is scoundrel and ques-
tions not fit to he asked are not fit to be an.
swercd. With due respect, &cn
Had he been Northern man, he might
have received such an answer, or none; but
Robert &. Scott is a STAKEHOLDER, a selfconsti-
tIted organ of the Slave Power-therefore
not 10 be sighted or snubbed True, the
masses of the Party to which these gentlemen
belonged might not be pleased with any pre-
mature pledges by their candidates the De-
mocracy Of the North certainly would be of
Tended and proprety dictated that the action
OF the Convention about to meet for the purpose
Of determining the issues aud candidates in the
approaching canvass should not be iorestalled
but these were all minor considerations in view
of the categorical demand of Robert G Scott
of Richmond Virginia, that they should define
their positions. They turned their backs upon
everybody and everything else, and humbl,
bowed to him, presuming him TO be- for til,
time. the representative of the Slayeholdinl
Interest
In plain words, every one of the gentle
men who have been named ~ possible candi
dates Of the Democratic Party for the Presi
dency, with the exception Of General Wool
has, in obedience to the will of Slavery, giver
written pledge in advance, 10 veto, If elected
TO the Presidency any bill that might pass Il
repeal or mitigate the infamous Fugitive Slay,
Law
Under ali the circumstances of the case, we
consider the rendering of this pledge the most
offensive act OF submission to Slavery ever per.
petrated. Martin Van Buren's pledge in 1886
was not so disgraceful Slavery had existed
here for century there was plausbility
Though no truth in the plea of implied faith set
APP in support Of its federation the public mind
was not so well informed M it is now ON the
subject of Slavery: the agitation had just COM
menced: politicians generally We're blind Ia
the aggressious Of the Slave Power But here
is Law, passed 10 1852, after twenty years
thorough diseussoa VI the relations of Slavery
the Public mind OF the NORTH beving mean.
while become imbued with hatred VI tbe sys-
ten aud its exactions Law, odious " Ars
People Of Ole North, repugnant to their insi-
tutiOns the enloreemsDt of which is constantly
provoking violence aud bloodshed. Law,
forced through the popular branch of the
Legislature without discussion, wAiOpt a