Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-10-26
POLICY OF = THE ADMINISTRATIONS

The following letter from the Secretary of the Treas
ury to the Hard Collector of New York shows pref
ty concusvey, what those acquainted with the Pres
dent were well assured of before that the policy of
the administration in regard to the distribution of
patronage is to be adhered to- in spite of the camor
of disappointed and disaffected men,. This letter,
with the note accompanying it to the Naval officer
and Surveyor is significant - too much so to require
any explanation.
WAsHrNGroN, Oct 8, 1858.
Dear Sir-Snce the conversation we had upon the
subject Of the unfortunate division in the Democratic
party in New York, 1 feel more and more convinced
that the present disorganization cannot fail to en-.
danger tire success of the principles of the party
there, and to prove injurious elsewhere. But the
separation s affecl conviction has forced itself
on my mind that by Democrats pledged to each 9TH
er upon common platform Of principles, the divis-
ion could and ought to have been prevented.
You are aware that the principles of the Baltimore
Convention, and the policy ntmated in the inaugu.
raj address, the President and his constitutional ad
visers stand pledged to before the world They have
been and are united as one man upon these princi-
Piles and that policy, and had reasons to believe that
all gentlemen who consented to accept Office under
the administration stood pledged to the same priT-
ciples and policy
AS the President understands the principles a.
vowed as the platform of the party at Baltimore, all
Democrats who joined in uphoding and carrying out
the same, were entitled to be recognised worthy
of the confidence of the united party and
ly eligible to official station.
That all could not obtain office was manifest, and
that the distribution could not be exactly equal a.
mongst the different sections of the party was equal
ly certain. Yet the distribution was intended to be
made to give just cause of complaint to one
section and is believed that this intention has been
carried out not only by the President himself but by
most of his appontees, in respect to the offices under
the latter.
1t has SO happened that your appointments have
been very generally made from that portion of the
party to which you adhere. This you thought best
calculated to secure union and harmony. That de-
srabe object has failed to be obtained and the 9TH
portion of the party feel that they have not been
fully recognized by you, and, as things now stand,
may not do justice to your motives. l call your at
tenton to this subject and to the fact that the Pres
dent and his Cabinet with entire unanimity, recog-
nze that portion Of the party as Democrats distinctly
avowing and firmly maintaining the principles Of the
Baltimore PLATFORM and entitled to be recognized by
appointment to official stations in your department
Allow me to express the expectation that you will
SO recognize them in the only way that will carry
| conviction with it.
| / have not hitherto deemed it necessary to make
any particular inquiry to the section of the Demo
cratic party to which persons nominated for posi-
! tons in the Custom-House at New York belonged
prior to the reunion of the party in 1S49-which re
union was supposed to have been thoroughly &C
mented in the great and triumphant contest in 1852
But the present excited state of feeling among po
ltica friends who acted together in 1852, and whit
now stand unequvocally upon the same platform ant
principles in New York, is suggestive of discrimi
nation, Of which the administration will not approve
shall send copy of this letter to the Naval Office
and the Surveyor of the Port in order that there
be no misapprehension as to the policy which tn
President will require to be pursued.
am, very respectfully,
| JAMES GUTHRIE.
G. c. Bronson, Esq, Collector at New York.
/ Copies of the above letter were sent to the Nava
Officer and Surveyor, with the following note
WAsuNGToN Oct 8, 1853.
Dear Sir enclose herewith copy of q letter thi
day addressed to the Hon. G. C.. Bronson 1t Wi
explain ITSELF and show you what the President ex
poets in relation to the distribution of patronage i
the respective offices of the New York Custom-Houss
to which you will conform your action in any futur
nominations you may have occasion to make.
am, very respectfully,
JAMES GUTHRIE.