Washington sentinel., 1853-12-06
Letter from John c. Mather.

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GENTLEMEN: shall be most happy to join
my democratic friends of the city of New York
at the congratulatory meeting to be held on the
evening of the 23d instant at Metropolitan
Hail. unless prevented by official engagements
At no period in our political history has the
true democracy of the State greater cause for
rejoicing than at the result of our recent elec.
ton. We entered the contest against fearful
odds. The power and patronage of the general
government was welded against the national
democracy through the influence of its most
deadly foe, William L. Marcy. The. State ad-
ministration, through Governor Seymour and
the canal board, bent all its energies to sup
press the rising spirit the people in favor of the
democratic ticket. Agents were sent along the
line of the canal, and all in the employ of the
State who refused to support the freesoil ticket
were threatened with immediate removal, but
/ am proud to say that they were often met
with stern resistance on the part Of the poor
but honest democrats in the service of the
State. They loved their principles too well to
forsake them, even though starvation started
them in the face.
And yet, despite all these adverse influences
the national democracy have triumphed. They
fought not for the spoils Of office, they con
tended for something more nohle-for the sue
cess of those great principles which lie at the
foundation Of our government, and which are
not only essential to the wel-being of the
democratic party, but to the preservation Of
our glorious Union. They have achieved a
victory over the enemies of both which, under
all the circumstances, is unparalleled in the
annals Of political warfare-a victory not ex,
celed in brillancy and glory to that achieved
by the American arms on the battle fields OF
Mexico; and as they were animated by the
same patriotic feeling, may we not hope that
its results will prove equally bene6cent and
glorious to our country?
For myself permit me to say that cannot
express in terms too strong my gratitude to
the democracy Of your city and Of the State,
for the hattering support they have given me
at the polls. Pursued and maligned as have
been by the freesoil leaders and their allies
traitors from the democratic ranks, from Marcy
down to John G. Wright, with spirit of vim.
dictive ferocity heretofore unknown, shall
point with pride and exultation to the gene.
rous support which the people have given me,
at the ballot box, throughout the State, and
especially in the city and county of my resi-.
dence, as an evidence of their continued con.
fdence and regard. ask for no other-no
higher vindication; and ! shall leave public
life, after three years spent in the service of the
State, with the satisfactory reflection, whatever
may be said of my course as public officer,
of having discharged my duty honestly and
faithfully to the people, and Of having not only
proved true to those great measures of public
improvement which have contributed so large
ly to the prosperity and glory Of our State but
to the principles of the national democratic
creed. have provedrecreant to neither Crate
ful to the democracy for past favors, l shall
not ask for the future any other position than
to serve in the ranks of the national democracy.
We are now free from the unholy alliauce
with freesoil traitors let us hereafter hold no
fellowship with them; let us rally around the
good old banner which has so long "stood the
battle and the breezs," and upon which is in
scribed "no UNION with the enemies of the
Union, or traitors to the democratic party =
and before another year shall have rolled
around, the "Old Guard will number two hun
dred thousand strong; as !: the .aaguage q
the eloquent Brady, "will be the masters of the
State"
With great respect, your obedent servant,
JOHN G. MATHER.
Messrs. ERAsTUs w. GLOVER and others, COM
mittee.