Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-26
The uniam Party "a Georgia.
LETTER FROM MR., STEPHENS.

From the Augusta lGa) Chronicle and Sentinell
We need scarcely remark that the subjoined
letter from the Hon. A. II. Stephens, in reply
to one from gentleman in the interior of tho
State, and which we are authorized to publish,
affords us sincere qualification.
1t is just such letter as we expected from
him, on the questions which it discusses with
so much point, force, and ability, and cannot
fail to command the respect of, if it should not
carry conviction to, all classes of readers
WAsHINGToN CITY, Feb. 7, 1852.
My DEAR SIR: Your esteemed favor of the
I'd instant was received yesterday. You ask
what L think of the late movement of our friends
in Miedgeville. In reply | say, briefly and
plainly, that far as it may be considered as in
dicating the expression of an opinion in favor
of sending delegates to the Baltimore Conven-
ton, am utterly opposed toit.
The first and second of the resolutions of that
meeting have my cordial approval The first
re-affirms the principles of the Constitutional
Union party, and reiterates Il determination to
adhere to them. The second provides for the
call of a convention in the State at some suita-
BILE time hereafter. to take into consideration
the subject of the Presidential election and to
adopt such course in relation to it as duty and
patriotism may then dictate as proper. This
is all right. And while l cannot concur with
some in believing that the third resolution was
intended by those who adopted it to bear the
construction which has been put upon it, to wit,
that its object was to commit the party, in adj
vance, to send delegates to the Baltimore Con-
vention-still | mean simply to say, that if such
was the intention, / am uaqualifedly opposed TO
It,
The new organization in Georgia was called
into existence upon an extraordinary crisis in
public affairs. That crisis has not vet passed
by. Those who think so, draw different con-
illusions from the signs of the times from what
do. The present (apparent) calm is but
temporary suspension of the dangerous elements
which then ragged so furiousy. That party was
formed upon the principles set forth and embo-
died in the action of the State Convention in De-
cember, 1885, Those principles | need not re-
peat to you. They were such as a large major
ity of the people of Georgia then thought, and
as still think, essential to the maintenance of
the rights of her people and the union of the
States. They were, moreover not sectional Ell
Their in their character or objects. They were,
and are, as broad as the Union, and as wide as
the limits of the jurisdiction of the Constitutions
and in the very organization of that party,
which was formed by an abjuration and renun-
citation OF all old party names and affiliations by
all who entered into it, we offered to unite with
any and all men, irrespective of past party dis
tinctions, in every section of the country, whe-
Their in the South or North who would make
these principles cardinal point in their creed.
The same position we still hold. As yet, no
party at the North has given any such assurance.
The Baltimore Convention has not been called
with any such view or object; SO far from it,
many OF our bitterest assailants, at the South as
we'll as the North, have already been appointed
members of it. Could any idea be more pre-
posterous than the project of sending delegates
to convention of our opponents, for fear that
they may not conduct their proceedings accor-
ding to our liking Such would certainly be
novel course in political tactics.
Ii those members of that convention from the
South, who were lately so loud i'll their denun-
citation of all men at the North, and who were
SO particularly censorious ofour position at home,
shall acknowledge their errors and put them
selves upon our principles, and shall purge that
)ody OF It's Erees0I elements, and shall also pre-
sent to the country good candidate for the
Presidency, it will be time enough for us to
connect ourselves with their action after they
shall have givenus these evidences oftheir being
entitled to our confidence and cooperation. A
good candidate, standing on our principles, and
put forward by an organization standing upon
5he same principles, is all we want.
Whether that convention will come up to
5hese acquisitions, is one of the problems that
future developments only can solve. My
apprehension is that it will not. Upon what
Indications others found more favorable ex-
1ectations, am at loss to conf ecture. Is it
rom the fact that Colonel Folks resolution was
'ejected in the Congressional caucus at the be-
ginning of the present session! Is it from the
act that Mr.. Bartlett, whose name appears as
me ofthe committee who called that convention,
was elected to the seat he now holds in the
House OF Representatives as an open and avow
I'd Freesoiler? Is it from the fact that Mr..
Rantoul, the champion and defender of that
most unprinciped ofal coalitions in the annals |
# political prohigracy in Massachusetts, is one
IT the members of that convention! Oris it from |
he fact that the Union newspaper in this city |
uts down the most ultra men of the South and
he most rabid Freesoilers at the North, now
n Congress, as all good Democrats, and equally |
ntitled to membership and fellowship in the
reat party ofwhich it processes to be the sole
rgan?
If so l have only to say, that these and other
1dications which [ might mention, have quite
contrary effect on me. That convention,
therefore,, so called and so constituted, as well as
II other national conventions, whether Demo-
ratio or Wing, must be put right on the record
S condition precedent, before looking to me for
ny support OF countenance. | speak only for
lyself The Constitutional Union party can
peak for itself when its convention assemblies.
ut can any one doubt that the moral power and
lf1uence OF our position upon the action of the
altimore Convention would be much greater
inside than inside of its deliberations? Would
ley be less like to comply with our demasds
ON fear OF our defiance i'll case of REFUSAL to be
ontrolled by our wishes after voluntary sur
'nder! five go into their organization with
At the condition precedent Of recognition
i'd endorsement of our principles, shall we not
> in the condition ofveteran troops beguiled and
euayed unarmed into the camp of the enemy?
he idea Of men thus situated insisting on
rms is simply ridiculous; eaptiues may be al
wed to beg for quarters, but who ever heard of
lem demanding concessions? And is this the
me for our party to put itself in such humil-
ting position! The extraordinary effort that is
wv being made to inculcate the opinion that no.
ling can be done by separate organization upon
lie principles of that formed in Georgia, | am
erfectly aware Of But does it not come with
Id grace from those who in thus sneakino are