The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-07
Letter from MIR. SlanIy.

10 TIE Editor Of the Republic:
STA: In late number of the New York Express
there IL letter written from this city, under the
signature of"An Eye on the Capitol" dated April
2. in which find the following extract
"lrhese facts being presented to the country and
understood BY them, we hear such speeches in
Congress as old Christopher Williams, Of Ten
e--better known as 'Old Kt'-has been max
ing. odd Kit is grey headed Wing, of the
ssrictest, straitest Wing faith, without the sha-
dow of turning, Ted with southern isms, and
commonly known hitherto by the Democracy in
his country as a southern doughface' eating
northern dirty to paraphrasc Mr.. Rantous phrase,
odd kit says he can't and to0nt 80 for Sc0tt-not
that he objects per sc to old Churubusco but he
objec,s to electing with him northern aboli-
tionism, northern abolition cabinet, northern
abolition atmosphere, northern reagitation or
repeal of the repealnble Compromise acts. Mere
dith p. Gentry, another gallant Wing from the
same State. with northern affnities, makes no con.
cealment Of his sanction to almost every word his
venerable colleague odd Kit says. The objcc
ton is not to General Scott, but it is to the inu-
cnces, the atmosphere that ia created to elect him,
and the ground upon which his election ia put. If,
say they, such northern man, even anti slavery,
such as Mr.. Fillmore ia known to have been, and
to be, is to be put down, because-lst, he did not
Ueto acts Of Congress, and I'd, because he lent the
power and heart Of his Administration to the exc
cution Of the laws-nO northern man can ever again
face northern aboltionism; and there ia an end to
the Constitution, Wing principles, and every thing
csc.
'Now these sentiments of Kit Williams are
nearly If not quite universal in every Southern
State It is stated that Mr.. Mangum, of North
Carolina, ia an exception to them, but there is no
truth in il. j feel authorized to say, without, i
must add, however, having any authority directly
from Mr.. Mansun, that though personal friend
Of General Scott, and desirous Of voting for him,
he will never lend him his sanction or influence
unless he directly and specifically puts himself
upon what 10 called here 'the totality and hnalty
OF the Compromise acts that is to say, Mr. Man
gum will never go for General Scott until he
shakes OIL the abolition influences that are using
him General Scott) to help themselves and their
schemes Of disunion and mischief. Not tvsn such
tried and gallant Wigs as Edtoard Staniy are
exception to such remarks as these Not o promi
nent Wing, no one Wing from the southern sure
Wing States, such as are Tennessee, Kentucky
and North Carolina, can be named as an excep-
ton"
The New York Express is a highly respectable
paper, cxerting considerable influence throughout
the country. and edited by talented gentlemen, for
whom entertain great respect. To allow such
letter to pass unnOticed, in such paper, would
lead my constituents to believe that concurred in
the opinions therein attributed to MIR. Williams,
Mr.. Gentry, and Mr.. Mangum, and myself. do
not know the writer of the letter. and must there
fore request you to publish this.
have never concealed my opinions from any
of my friends upon public matters, and have often
questionably the first choice of the people of North
Carolina; that believe they would support
him, if nominated. with much enthusiasm
rs they ever supported MIR. Clay MIR. Fillmore's
whole course as President has commanded the ap-
probation Of patriotic Of all parties in the
South, and his approval of the Compromise mea-
sures, his determination expressed in his messages
to regard them as a "fna settlement" of the ques-
lions embraced in them, his prompt efforts firmly
adhered to to sustain and enforce the laws against
reasonable schemes to overthrow them, have made
a deep impression the minds Of the southern
people. They want no better President, and are
satisfied with him.
1t is alec unqucstionably true that General Scott
has been most unjustly represented as "the adver
sary of MIR. Fillmore's Administration" and
" opponent of the Compromise bills" 1t is, be.
lieve, certain that no man can receive the vote OF
North Carolina who is not known to be in favor Of
the Compromise acts as ga final set
Element" There is probably no man in the State
who holds different opinion. Our greatest leader,
Mr.. Clay himself, if, in answer to the prayer Of
millions, he could be restored TO health and youth
full vigor, with all the enthusiasm which he only
could excite, could not receive the electoral vote Of
North Carolina. if he were candidate, and OPP
posed to the Compromise bills.
But it is due to myself to say that have never
said, and will not say, that 81 can't and won't
go for Scott" On the contrary. have always said
knew he was as earnest, ardent, and jealous a
friend Of the Compromise measures there
in the United States. I knotc, Of my o,rn kno,c-
ledge that he so, before Their passage through Con-
grsss and aftutoards. heard him reprove north
ern men who were opposed TO them, before they
passed Congress in such strong terms that thought
would offend them. know he is q southern man
by birth. The country knows he poured out his
blood the northern frontier under the STARS and
stripes, receiving wounds, the scars OF which
he yet bears, while fighting against England's
naughty power in the war Of 1912. The world
knows the wonders he achieved, with northern and
southern, eastern and western soldiers, in that UNI
parallelcd march from Vera Cruz to Mexico.
know he Ia true Republican, and has always
been; and have no fear that such man would
not prove true TO bis countrys best interest in
peace a he has been in war.
do not believe, at this time, there is one man in
Congress, from any section OF any party. Wing,
Democrat, or Frcesoil, who does not know General
Scott IL in favor Of maintaining the Compromise
aots. In speech Of Mr. Csbcll, Of Florida, de.
liyered in the House Of Representatives February
3, 1861, he ssys;
General Scott individually 10 entitled TO the
support of all Compromise men. happen TO know,
during the last Congress, the opinions he enter
tanned on tbose questions. Whilst acting Secretary
Of War, subsequent TO the death Of General Taylor,
and previous TO the formation OF Mr.. Fillmorc's
Cabinet, he c1erted his personal influence to the
utmost to effect the passogc Of the Compromise
measures" Two months have passed by, and this
declaration ha not been oontradicted, and will not
be. Mr.. Csbell. at the same time said that 1t was
"almost IL not entirely too late for this gallant
soldier TO do himself justice, to e1tricae himself
from the false position into which the aots Of dc.
signing men have inveigled him." by which ]
suppose he means what the writer Of the letter To
which am replying speaks ofss "thc influences,
the atmosphere that 10 created to elect him"
Iqoote Mr.. Cabe's speech TO show that General
scotts opinions well known and were
concealed; and that may say, at the time the
speech was made, told Mr.. Cabell thought he
was wrong in saying 1T was necessary that Gene
raj Scott should "spread his opinions on the re-
cord !" and after he, Mr.. C., bad declared that he
was entitled to the support Of all Compromise
men" ] remarked TO several gentlemen that
thought Mr.. Cabcl was mistaken in the opinions he
expressed Of the probability Of General scotrs re.
ceiving electoral votes OF Southern States; that MIR
Csbelps character go favoraby known TO my
t Co..