Washington sentinel., 1853-10-20
LETTERS OF JUDGE BRONSON AND
MIR. O,CONOR.


The first Of these letters appeared in our
paper of yesterday--the last will be found in
our columns this morning. They are some of
the fruits Of the unfortunate New York dissen-
sions. Many circumstances have conspired to
give importance to the contest now going on in
that State between the old freesol and bunker
parties. Among these circumstances may be
reckoned: First, the interesting character of
the quarrel, involving as it does, the funda-
mental differences between the national demo-
cratic party and the Van Buren, school. Se-
condly, the vast influence exerted by the poll
tics and the preSss of New York on the whole
country, TGdly, the attacks made by some
y the ogsaRs, both in and out of that State, on
some Of the pure patriots and eminent states
men of the national democratic divisions and,
Fonrthly, the labored attempt on the part of
the administration in those much to be Stunned
entanglements.
The attempt we refer to has not been al
together without success, since Mr.. Secretary
tunately induced, to write an admonitory letter,
containing, too, something both of censure and
Of warning, to the very able and respectable
collector of the port of New York. That let
ter has been dignified by those whose connex-
ion with these squabbles make it necessary for
them to appear to be- well backed, and most
efficiently propped, into an authoritative ema
nation, sort of Napoeonic bulletin from the
whole administration. They try to make it ap-
pear that it is a recognition of the freesoil
party, and an indignant communication Of
the old fashioned and trusty democracy, who
stood firm in '4S, when their adversaries fought
under the black banner of Van Buren, aboli-
tionism. We have never so regarded the letter
of Secretary Guthrie 1t was his letter, and
his letter alone, in our opinion, and a very i'll
advised and unwarrantable letter it was.
Judge Bronson replies to it like man and
like gentleman. He uses none of those hard
names and coarse words that are becoming too
common among politicians. He manifestss no
temper. The whole production is characterized
by manly independence, consciousness of
rectitude, a disposition to concede to the Secre-
tary all his rights, and firm determination to
exact a due observance of his own. 1t dis
arms by its dignity, and convinces by its CO.
gent reasoning.
He deals with the Secretary as man to man
and officer to officer. He draws no other func-
t;onory ;nto +ba oontro,,are,, IT.. ,,,oJ-o, -
sort of attack, either covert or open, on the ad-
ministration. He has the discretion the good
sense, and the good feeling, to disconnect the
President from this unfortunate difficulty. He
evidently sees the impolicy, the folly, and the
injustice, (which some, we are sorry to see, do
not, of duplicating our honored Chief Magis-
trate in these dissensions, from which nothing
but unmixed evil can result. The President has
not stopped from his high eminence to mingle
in the fray-to pat either party on the back.
Judge Bronson's letter shows that political
virtue and disinterested patriotism have not be-
come extinct There is at least one man who
will not barter his honest opinions for Office,
and who has the boldness to reason with one of
the cabinet without fear, and without hattery
If we dissented from Judge Bronson's opinions
we could not withhold the need of our admir-
alton of the high qualities evidenced by his
letter; but, agreeing as we do in his opinions
we feel proud of the country that can boast so
virtuous citizen.
Mr.. O'Conors letter exhibits great ability and
an intimate acquaintance with the complicated
web Of New York politics. 1t is reply to
some articles that recently appeared in the col
umns Of our contemporary OF the Union 1t is
characterized by much feeling, and some pas
sages of it by considerable severity.