The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-10-18
Sec. Guthrsess Letter.

The most exciting political topic at this
time, is the letter Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, Jas. Guthrie, 20 G.. c. Bronson,
Collector. New York. 1t is undoubtedly q
"measure Of the administration" intended to
allay the difficulties between the Old Hun
kers and Barnburners Of New York, or at
least to court up the Barnburner faction
But 1t appears to have most signally failed
in allaying the excitement. 1t has made the
factions more bitter enemies than ever, and
has destroyed any hope which may have ex-
listed, of their future coalition. Mr.. Bronson
is an Old bunker, and has number OF i'm
portant offices in his gift. He has been dis
tributing these Offices among the Hunkers,
as il might have been expected he would do.
For this he is called to an account by Secre-
tary Guthrie, and is told in plain terms, that
fine wishes to keep his place, he must recog.
nize the Barnburners as entitled to appoint
ments, or recognize them in the only way
chat will carry conviction with it,"i e. give
them offices. AS the letter is important at
this time, we publish it:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 1853.
DEAR SIR: Since the conversation we had
upon the subject OF the unfortunate division
o. the Democratic party in New York,
feel more and more convinced that the pre-.
sent disorganization cannot fail to endanger
the success of the principles OF the party
there, and to prove injurious elsewhere. But
the separation is effected. A conviction has
forced itself on my mind that by Democrats
pledged to each other upon a common plat
form OF principles the division could and
ought TO have been prevented.
You are aware that the principles Of the
Baltimore convention, and the policy intimat-
ed in the inaugural address, the President
and his constitutional advisers stand pledged
to before the world. They have been and
are ur tied as one man upon those principles
and that policy, and had reason to believe that
oil gentlemen who consented to accept Of
fee under the administration stood pledged to
the same principles and policy.
As the President understands the prin.
ciples avowed on the platform Of the party
at Baltimore, all Democrats who joined in
carrying out and unfolding the same were en-
titled to be recognized as worthy the conf.
dence of the united party, and consequently
eligible to official station.
That all could not obtain Office was mani.
fest, and that the distribution could not be ex.
actly equal among the different sections oil
the party was equally certain. Yet the dis
tribution was intended to be 80 made Us tC
give just cause Of complaint to no one sec
ton, and it is believed that this intention hal
been carried out, not only by the Presiden,
himself, but by most of his appointees, in re-
spect to the offices under the latter.
1t has so happened that your appointments
have been very generally made from thai
portion Of the party to which you ADHERE
This you thought best calculated to secur'
union and harmony. That desirable objec
has failed to be attained, and the other por
ton Of the party feel that they have not BEEF
fully recognized by you, and, as things nov
stand, may not do fully justice to your motive
call your attention to this subject, and I
the fact that the President and his Cabinet
with entire unanimity, recognize that porto
of the party as Democrats distinctly avowin
and firmly maintaining the principles Of tn
Baltimore Platform, and entitled to be recoe
nized by appointment to- official stations
your department. Allow me- to express tn
expectation that you will'recognize them
the only way that will carry conviction viii
il.
rhave not hitherto deemed it necessary
make any particular inquiry as to the sectit
of the Dem ocratic party to which Perso
nominated for positions in the custom hou
at New York belonged prior to'the re-uni'
Of the party in. lS49-which reunion W
supposed to have been thoroughly cement
in the great triumph and. contest of 1852.
Bun. as the present excited state of feeli
among political friends who acted togeth
in 1852, and who now stand unequivoc'
ly upon the same platform Of princiPl
in New York, is suggestive Of discrimin
ton of which the administration will not q
prove, / shall send copy of this letter to I
naval officer and the surveyor Of the port,
order that there may be no misapprehensi
Is to the policy which the President will
quire to be pursued.
l. am, very respectfully,
JAMES GUTHRIE
G. c.. BRoNsos, Esq, Collector, N
York.
Copies Of the above letter were sent to
navalofficer and surveyor, with the folio
soD