Washington sentinel., 1853-10-12
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., October 6. 1853


My DEAR SIR: 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
it not been dignifed 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
antipodes of each other. Ofhs subsequent course
and present position am not informed. The Sc
cond named gentleman is known to me personal
ly only by private intercourse; his position, as
shown by the publications of the day, has been
very Objectionable to me, but now is in accordance
with the general amnesty declared in the Balti-
more convention, and ratified by the presidential
canvass of 1852. / received the proposition 10
unite on the platform declared by the democratic
party in general convention as settlement of
past ieuds, and have been ready TO cooperate
with all who, adhering faithfully TO the principles
and policy then declared, are willing to go with
me in the onward march of democracy.
II would have been hollow and dishonorable to
have allied with men upon that basis, and when
| the campaign was over have summoned them 10
answer for their "by-gone" opinions. So far was
this from any purpose policy of mine that had
forgotten, if indeed ever knew, the contents of
| speeches and letters which have recently been
| brought TO light, and present men in whom had
| entire confidence as having been, a very few
| years ago, the advocates Of freesoilism.
Notwithstanding the significant mark Of conf
dencc given to Mr.. Dickinson, when he was Of
ered the best financial and political appointment
in the State of New York, l have not, and will
not, approve the anti-slavery speeches he made
in lSl7 and lsi9. And although Judge Bronson
holds the high post which Governor Dickinson de-
| clined trust shall not be numbered among those
who subscribe TO his letter of July Is, 1913, to the
| meeting 10 ratify the nomination of Martin Van
Buren, and contribute to the extension of freesoil
| am wiling in these, as in other cases, TO drop
the inquiry into by gone opinions and associations,
10 adhere to the compact of 1852, TO oppose dis.
organization to resist agitation, and to promote
| the harmony of the democratic party, as the best
VI securing peace tHc StdtcS ana
prosperity and perpetuity to the Union. Now,
| this is not TO approve Objectionable antecedents
not TO endorse the opinions at war with my creed
| but to act as becomes those who believe the union
| of the democracy to have been sincerely, honest
y, and substantially made for public and not per-
sonal ends. Holding, as do, that party organza-
tion is necessary means to ensure success to
principles on which parties are formed | cannot
but lament the division which has, withoutrecen,
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 o.
rapidly transpring events and hope that the true
democracy may crush any disintegrating faction
which goes into coalition with the wings
! Very truly your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.