Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-28
HON. GREENE g. nRogsoN.


ed to us by the Hon. Greene c. Bronson, Of
New York. II seems 10 have been elected by
one Of the letters of the Hon. Jefferson Davis
recently published in the Sentinel Judge
Bronson complains that the letter referred to
represents him as Having been, very few
years ago, the advocate of freesoilism.r
From this charge Judge Bronson defends
himself with that calmness, clearness and force,
which so eminently distinguish the man. He
claims be entitled to full, entire, unqualifedre
eognition by the national, constitutional dem
ocracy, by virtue of his own sound conservative
views, and disdains to sue for such recogni-
ton on the basis of :" the compact of lisp
that shelter and refuge Of freesoilers.
1t is evident from the letter addressed to us,
as it is from the letter not long since addressed
to the Secretary of the Treasury, that Judge
Bronson needs no defender. There is perspi-
Guilty, point, and calm convincing force in all that
he writes. He also shows himself TO be sin.
cere, disinterested, unbought patriot, and a cul.
tivated and Thoroughbred gentleman.
Judge Bronson's letter will, we doubt not,
attract general attention. We conclude our
notice of it for the present, with the remark
that no unprecedented person can get mp from the
careful perusal of it without being convinced,
that no man north of Mason's and Dixons
line is sounder on the subject of which it treats
than its very able and distinguished author.
The real, pertinent, and controlling idea for
people Of the south to consider is this: IF the
men in the north who have thus far sustained
and upheld, even in the face of defeat and over
throw the guarantees of the Constitution, are to
be sacrificed with the consent and appreciation
of southern men, how can the northern dem
ocracy be appealed to? Have detection and
treason an eloquent tongue Will any honest
man listen to the appeals Of ingratitude? Is
there any real honest men south of Masons and
DiSon's line who believe that the south will
ever have another friend in the north, if
she quietly permits such patriots as Daniel S.
Dickinson, Greene G. Bronson, and Charles
O'Conor to be broken down and crushed
to make room for the son Of Martin Van Blu
rem and the nephew of Gerritt Smith We are
glad to perceive that some of the southern Jour
mails, that were carried too far by party fears or
party affiliations, have given some evidences of
returning sanity. Yesterday we alluded to one
of these, with the hope that it was about to re-
instate itself in public esteem and public con
fdence. If that hope be doomed to disappoint-
ment, the fault viii not be on our shoulders
But we wait for the future. Rashness and i'm
prudence are often coupled with high qualities
that in the end, will repair the wrongs that
rashness and imprudence have committed.
To the Editors oftAe Washington Sentinel:
The Hon. Jefferson Davis recently published
two letters in the Washington Sentinel relating to
New York matters, in one of which he spoke of
me as having been very few years ago the adj
vocate of feesoilisni," and referred TO letter
which wrote in July, 1913, to Van Buren, or
freesoil meeting in this city. The General very
generously adds, that he is willing in this as in
other cases, ITO drop the inquiry into by-gone
opinions and associations" and to adhere 10 the
compact of 1852" While duly appreciate the
intended kindness, have no occasion to avail my.
self OF this short statute of limitations; for never
had any opinions or associations" on the side
Of freesoilism.h Although did not engage in
the strife Of politics while occupying a high Judi
cial station, it is well known in this State, and
probably in some others, that / was a firm sup.
porter of General Cass in 1s4s, and decidedly op-
posed to Mr.. Van Buren, and the leading politicians
who joined him in his revolt / have never had
but one opinion, nor acted in more than one way
in relation to the slavery question.
The letter which has been mentioned proves
that declined treesoil associations and was
opposed to freesoi "opinions" Mr. Van Burcn
and his followers then insisting that Congress
should enact the /" Wilmot proviso," and exclude
slavery from the new States and Territories. They
also said that the slave States would demand the
interference of Congress TO authorize them TO carry
their slaves into free territory. declared myself
opposed to any action Of Congress on the subject
either by way of prohibiting or authorizing slavery
in any territory where il did not already exist
This would leave the matter 10 be settled by the
States themselves, when States should be formed
On the mere constitutional question, the opinion
was expressed that slavery could not exist where
il was not authorized by law; and, consequently
that if the master removed with his slaves into
free State or Territory, the slaves would be free
Whether that opinion, so far as relates 10 the Ter
ritories of the United States, was well founded, is
question which may al some time be considered
by our courts ofjustce; and by theirdccison shall
abide. But as yet have seen no reason to change
my opinion on the subject; and shall not, there
fore, invoke the aid of the compact of 1882 to
cover up any old heresy in politics.
GREENE c. BRONSON
New YORK, October 90 1853.
We also publish the following letter from
Judge Bronson, written in 1851, in reply to
an invitation to attend celebration Of Ameri
can independence. It is right to the point 1t
shows him to be sound State rights national
democrat
NEW York, JnRe 30 1851.
GENTLEMEN: As must ofnecessty be absent
from the city, cannot accept your invitation TO
attend the celebration of the approaching anniver-
sary of American independence. When the seve-
raj States shall learn TO mind hsir oiem business
without meddling in the affairs ofothers, and shall
be faithful to the Constitution as il is, without re-
Jecting any part of it, the Union will stand too
strong for its enemies, without and within And
when the democracy shall build again on it's found
ATOMS, without constructing new platforms to
catch the factions OF the day it will regain its as
cendancy in the State and the nation Presuninn