The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-13
The Struggle OF the spoils Cabinet
Another CircUlar-General Davis In the
Field.

The Struggle OF the spoiis Cabinet
Field.
Another Cabinet edict has been issued con-
corning the present distressing tribulations Of
the New York democracy. 1t emanates from
th War Office. General Davis is in the field.
Yrs letter. it appears, was originally intended
to be private; but, in order to define his posi-
ton in the premises, (Which is avery important
thing,) he has consented to make this precious
document "A public legacy. And here it
is -
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Thursday, Oct g. 1858 I
MY DEAR SIR have not the Publication in
the HERALD to which you refer, and which, II seen,
would not have received any notice from uie, had IL
not been oigLifed by the attention OF some one
whose good opinion regard.
Thanking you for your Bind interest and conf
dence in me, reply that you have not, IN this in
stance, mis- taken my position. Whatever may have
been the language employed, the statement that
had endorsed Preston King aud John Van Buren, is
false, and will add, would have been absurd If
bad presumed to 90 so. / served with the hrst
named gentleman in Congress- and upon the slavery
question the antipodes of each other OF his
subsequent course and present position | am not In
formed.
The second named gentleman is known to me per-
sobally only by private lnercouse his posltlon as
shown by the publications OF the day. has been very
Objectionable to me- but now il is in accordance with
tie general amnesty declared in the Baltimore con-
venton and ratified by the Presidential canvass Of
1852 Ireceiyed the propo iton to unite on the plat
form declared by the democratic party in general
convention as q settlement OF past feuds, aud have
been ready TO cooperate with all VINO, adhering
faithfully to the principles aud policy then declared,
are willing TO go with me in the onward mar 81 OF
democracy.
1t would have been hollow and dishonorab!e to
Al.
campaign was over have summoned them TO answer
Tor their "bygoueH opinions. So far was this from
any purpose or policy of mine, that had forgo en-,
il indeed ever knew, the contents of speeches aud
letters which have recently been brought to light,
and present men in whom have entire confidence,
as having been, very few years ago, the advocates
! OF free sOlisIn.
! Notwithstanding the significant mark of confidence
given 10 Mr. Dickinson when he was offered the best
financial and political appointment in the State Of
New York, have not and will not approve the anti
slavery speeches he made in lS47 and lS49. And
although Juoge Bronson holds the high post which
Governor Dickinson declined, trust shall not be
numbered among those who subscribed to his letter
of july 10, ls4S, to the meeting to rsti.y the nom
nation OF Martin Van Buren,, and contribute to the
extension of free soil / am willing In these, as In
other cases. to drop the inquiry into by gone opinions
and asso cations, to adhere to the compact VI 1857
70 oppose DISCRIMINATION, to resist agitation, and
to promote the harmony Of the democratic party
as the best means Of securing peace among the
States and perpetuisy to the Union. Now, tnis is
not to approve Objectionable antecedents-not to
endorse the opinions ut war with my creed, but TO
act those who believe the union Of the democracy
to have been sincerely, honestly, and substantially
| made for public, and not personal, ends.
Holding, as do, that party organization is a ne
csssary means to insure success to principles on
which parties are formed, cannot but lament the
division which has, without recent cause, opened
the old wounds in our party of New York.
do not assume to mingle, still less to Judge,
in this family quarrel, but will abide the course of
rapidly transporting events, and hope that the true
democracy may crush any disintegratug faction
which goes into coalition with the wings.
Very truly, your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
1t will be observed that in the matter of style
there is q striking contrast between the late
rescript Of Guthrie and this pronunciamento of
Gen. Davis. The one is coarse. brutal and dis
gushing while the other is gentlemanly polish
ed and refined The one is the edict Of bar
barian-the other is the explanation Of a man
of society and good breeding. But while
Guthrie approaches his object face to face, Davis
does it by the circumlocution OF a private CON-
munication, which, he would have us believe,
was not originally intended for the public eye.
While, therefore. we denounce the vulgarity of
Guthrie. we must say that he has at least the
merit of fat-footed directness and while we
commend the more agreeable politeness of
Davis, we must repudiate the trick Of a private
mask for his official proclamation. In another
point however. he rises above the grovelling
instincts Of his colleague. and that is, upon the
great issue Of principles. Secretary Davis
makes out his case apparently to his own salts
faction, as an argument upon principles, and
upon the amnesty of the Baltimore platform
but when reduced by the crucible to its real
clements. this smooth and plausible letter be-
comes the veriest dross of miserable coalition
for th$n,blic plumber.
Gent1k Davis says that while he is willing
to fraternize with all factions of the party en-
braced in the Baltimore amnesty Of 1852, he
cannot approve the anti-slavery speeches OF
Dickinson of l847 and 1849, nor the freesoil let
ter Of Collector Bronson, Of July 10, 1913. But
he is willing to let all that pass under the gene
raj amnesty, in which he himself is included,
which is quite natural and consistent in General
Davis; but it brings us to the direct issue
against him. against Guthrie-against the Bal
timore amnesty. and all concerned.
The ground we take is this-that the freesoil
Buffalo party Of 1913. and the Southern scces-
sion party of 1s50-'51, were alike inimical and
dangerous to the Union their principles. though
as widely separated as the poles, were alike Sc
diious and reasonable; for the success of either
the Buffalo platform or the Southern secession
list policy, contemplated nothing short of dis
solution of the Union. We do not approve, nor
can we excuse, the free soil sentiments referred
to of Messrs. Dickinson and Bronson. They be-
tray too much Of the weakness of temporizing
politicians for our purpose. But there is a
mighty difference between the original free soil
ism of Dickinson and Bronson, pis-a-uis with
the rampant abolitonism of the builders of the
Buffalo platform Brought to this test, John
Van Buren, and his associates rank with
William II. Seward, John p Hale, Joshua