Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-10-21
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
WASHINGTON. D. C.. October 6. 1853


My Deur Sir II have not seen the publication in
the Herald to which you refer, and which, if seen
would not have received any notice from me, had ii
not been dignfed by the attention of some one
whose good opinion | regard.
Thanking you for your kind interest and conf
dence in me, reply that you have not, in this in
stance, mistaken my position. Whatever may have
been the language employed. the statement that
had endorsed Preston King and John Van Buren is
false, and. will add, would have been absurd, if
had presumed to do so.
served with the first named gentleman in Con-
gress and on the slavery question: we were the an
tipodes of each other. Of his subsequent course
and present position am not informed. The sec.
ond named gentleman is known to me personally on
ly by private Intercourse; his position, shown BY
the publications of the day, has been very objection
able to me, but is in accordance with the gen.
eral amnesty declared in the Baltimore Conventions
and ratified by the Presidential canvass of 1852 |
received the proposition to unite the platform de-
cared by the Democratic party in general conven.
tion as settlement of past feuds, and have been
ready to cooperate with all who. adhering faithful
ly to the principles and policy then declared, are
willing to 60 with me in the onward march of Dem
ocracy.
1t would have been hollow and dishonorable to
have allied with men upon that basis and when
the campaign over have summoned them to an
swer for their " by gone" opinions. So far was
this from any purpose or policy of mine, that had
loI SoVICH' IL cFcI hueW, LHe COHIeHCS vi
speeches and letters which have recently been brot
to light, and present men in whom had entire
fdence, as having been, very few years ago. the
advocates of freesoiism.
Notwithstanding the significant mark of conf
dence given to 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 1877 and l849
And although Judge Bronson holds the high post
which Governor Dickinson declined, trust I shall
not be numbered among those who subscribe to his
letter of July Is, l848 to the meeting to ratfy the
nomination of Marlin Van Buren, and contribute to
the extension of freesoil. ! am willing in these as
in other cases, to drop the inquiry into bygone opin
ions and associations to adhere to the compact of
1852, to oppose disorganizaton. to resist agitation
and to promote the harmony of the Democratic par
~, as the best means of securing peace among the
States and prosperity and perpetuity to the Union.
Now this is not to approve ectionabe antecedents
not to endorse the opinions at war with my creed,
but to act becomes 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
sary means to ensure success to the 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 of
pidly transpring events and hope that the true de-
mocracy may crush any disintegratng faction which
goes into coalition with the wings.
Very truly, your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.