The daily union., 1852-08-11
Letter OF Gen. shields.


Letter OF Gen. Shields.
We suspend considerable portion of the editorial and
miscellaneous matter prepared for todays paper in
der to place promptly and conspcuousy before read
the suboined admirable letter OF Senator Shields,
addressed to committee of his constituents, and copy
of which friend has oblgngly furnished to us for pub
lcaon
The just sentiment and the eloquent language of this
letter will combine with the high reputation of General
Shields chvalrous soldier and patriotic statesman
10 commend ito the public attention. With especial in
terest will the people note the spontaneous testimony
borne BY General Shields to the distinguished gaantry
of General Pierce, when he and General Shields were
companions.in-arms the battlefeds of Mexico. Nor
is the testimony OF General Shelds-hmself true rep
resentave OF the best characteristics OF our adopted c
zens-less important significant in regard 10 the just
and liberal spirit in which General Pierce has always
litcal and religious liberty and equality.
WASHINGTON, August S, 1884,
GENTLEMEN have to regret that il has been impossible
for owing tn press OF business which falls upon
this late period OF the session. reply any
your interesting communication of the 18th ult 1t affords
sincere pleasure TO accept your courteous invitation 10
visit Gaena make convenient after the
adjournment And during my visit your city hope to
be able in compliance with your request TO address my
citizens, to the best of my feeble abilities, on some
OF the principal questions involved in the approaching
presidential election.
Fortunately for me, the principles of the democratic
party stand in but little need of advocacy amongst my
constituents They deeply implanted in the hearts Of
large majority of our citizens. Illinois is essentially
and unchangeaby democratic Fidelity TO the free and
generous principles OF democracy OF the proudest
characteristics of young Prairie State In the hard
CIDER revel of ls40 when and cabins, with
their appropriate minstrel accompanments, frightened this
wise nation from lis accustomed propriey, illinois
of the gallant States that held up the banner OF
democracy and waved il proudly before the eyes OF the
world And there that glorious banner still waves and
there il will Iumphanty forever
For the last fifty years the history of the democratic
party the political history OF this country There is
prominent event in national history, from the
first day of Jeerson's administration TO the last day OF
Pok's that does not illustrate the genius OF democracy
The democratic party has several definite objects of
policy, such as national progress, territorial xteDsion
the constitutional independence Of the States and the po-
ca liberty of the individual Some of its hercest con-
cs have been for the attainment OF these objects The
great struggle against a national bank, high protective
tariff vast national system OF internal improvements
and the distribution OF the proceeds OF the public lands
among the States, a struggle to remove impedments
from national progress These ingenious con,rvances to
control the fruits OF national industry for the benefit of
few favored interests frustrated by the vigilance
and energy OF the democratic party In other countries
society is divided into two classesthe poor, who do all
the labor and the rich, who enjoy all the pr rofi That
this country has been hitherto preserved from this ruin
reversal OF the laws OF natural justice is mainly
attributable TO the democratic party.
Territorial extension is the work OF the same party
Louisiana gave us the control OF The Mississippi river
nd he If the vie u1f apd
Oregon and California the control OF the Pacific ocean
and all together have contributed to make this country,
in geographical sense, the most compact defensible.
and desirable territorial abode for human development,
civilization, and empire, which has ever existed the
face OF the globe
The constitutional independence OF the States has been
an object OF constant solcude 10 the democratic party
Democracy has instructive dread OF Capitalization
for Capitalization is incompatible with democratic ber.
B. The democratic party has always watched and
checked every political movement having the slightes,
tendency TO disturb the constitutional relations of this
beautiful bat complex system Of government
But the cardinal principle of that partythe cherished
principle OF every liberal hearts, its sacred regard for
the natural and political rights Of individuals. The
naural rights OF man-the rights with which every hu-
man being endowed by his Creatorfeedom Of thought
freedom OF will, freedom OF conscience and freedom OF
action in all where the act is not preudcia to
others-his glorious freedom, which ennobes human ma
ture has been secured to America by the triumph OF the
democratic principle May that sacred principle ex
tend its glorious triumph TO all the oppressed and
the nations Of this world
Ihepolitical rights OF the individual next in inn
poranee Democracy imposes restrictions upon the
exercise OF these rights but such necessary TO pre-
serve them from abuse. Property qualifications, and all
other qualifications depending upon the mere accidents OF
life are opposed to the spirit of democracy mans
qualihcaons for civil liberty never be determined by
the amount OF property the place Of birth There
seems to be no good why who flies from want
and oppression in Europe, who selects this country IN
preference to all others tho future home OF himself and
family and who looks forward TO the day when his ashes
shall mingle peacefully with the soil Of his adopted