Washington sentinel., 1854-01-25

falo convention before referred 10 and when the
important Offices of subreasurer, postmaster and
surveyor OF New York, and many other positions
IN other parts of the State were filled by those
who Were prominent enemies OF the democracy OF
the Union in 1915 when these extraordinary pro-
ceedings were succeeded by an open against
the oldine democracy OF our Stale; when Mr..
! Bronson, one of its most eminent and virtuous
citizens, who had remained in his office attending
TO his official business, instead OF electoneering
Tor the administration AT Syracuse, was summa-
rly driven from his place; when il was that
the postmaster, naval officer, and surveyor of the
port OF New York, who had LETT their official dn-
ties in order 10 influence the action of the political
convention at Syracuse-one of them proclaim
ing that he was acting "by authority decla-
ration which was calculated 10 overawe and in
umldate tn democracy OF the State Of New York
by implied threats of executive trowns; when il
was seen that these federal officers, who thus di-
recty interered with the local affairs of the State
were retained in Office whilst Mr.. Bronson who
pursued different course, was turned out and
when il was announced that the naval officer who
had figured at Syracuse was promoted to the place
OF Mr.. Bronson the true men of New York were
confounded. In their amazement they knew not
under whose guidance the administration had
fallen.
We all remember Mr. Chairman the incident
in the history of the patriarch of old. who in his
dying moments, and when his vision had failed
desired to pronounce last benedction upon his
the venerable father; another child was substi-
tuted in the place Of the elder, and in the doubt
and uncertainty which of the two was before him.
he exclaimed: The hand is the hand Of Esau, but
the voice is the voice of Jacob" So, when the
democracy Of The State of New York had witness
sed these extraordinary appointments, and these
singular and inexplicable proceedings, they stood
amazed and confounded, and in their perplexity
were tempted to excaim in language somewhat
similar to that Of Isaac: 'sThe voice is the voice
Of General Pierce, but the hand is the hand Of Ca
leb Cushing" Loud laughter and applause.l In
charity, Mr.. Chairman, 10 the antecedents Of the
President, II is dicnt TO realize that these extra
ordinary acts and these vindctve attempts 10
crush out" the democracy of New York were
prompted by him; as they accord and harmonize
with the political history and instincts of the ad
wiser" TO whom have referred, il seems more
natural 10 ascribe them TO his influence and to the
other member of the cabinet to whom / have al
| luded Is II surprising that the "hards of New
| York resist when they see President whom
| they aided to elect surrounded by such friends
making open and fierce war against them-at-
tempting TO acrush them out whilst al the same
time. he extends the right hand of fellowship to
those who defeated the democratic party in lSiS?
One other topic, and must present il at race
horse speed, for my sixty minutes are nearly ex-
| hausted An industrious attempt has been made
10 create the impression here that the quarrel be-
| tween the administration and the {" hards" OF New
York is one purely local in its nature, and that il
| is expedient on the part of the democratic mem
bers 10 leave i TO be fought out by ourselves.
would like 10 know why that idea had not occur.
red at an earlier day TO the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| they had nterfered actively with ns-before
they removed Judge Brunson and promoted the
naval officer TO his place. ! should like TO know
| why the Daily Union had not thought OF il earlier
/ instead of evying hot war against US why cab.
met minister's before the system Of "ernshing ont
/ tie hardS had been tried, mad not come 10 The
same conclusion; and why all the individuals
4 holding political Offices under the central govern
| mn hafnr bis ,t,,a. IL.
| dispute was mere local matter, and why they
| did not sooner adopt the "let-alone policy,n in
| stead OF prosecuting us with unreenting malice
| NO, SIR! This notion is an after-thought. The
acts of the federal government, in the particulars
! of which we complain are in the highest degree
national in their character. To Interfere with the
local politics Of State-to interfere in reference
TO its internal improvements, in reference to their
local political organlzation--to bring the officers
of the federal government into active service in
favor Of one and against the other Of two local
parlesare acts that involve the highest national |
considerations, that ought TO attract the attention
and arouse the indignation of every State Of this
Union. Perfect freedom in their elections and |
the duty to resist every aggression upon that car
dinal element OF sovereignty are indispensable to
their independence. The duty to consider and |
condemn any and every attempt 10 encroach upon
the rights of any Of the States in these res |
poets, evidently devolves upon all Of them From
the moment that the central government is allow
ed with mpunity, to interpose its power and infu-
ence IN order 70 control local elections and 10
| sway and give direction to them from that mo- |
ment the real independence of the States is gone,
They will be at once reduced TO the condition Of
| provinces. They will dwindle down into mere |
| dependencies and satraps.
Assuming therefore, the facts TO be as we aege,
| and as would have attempted 10 have proved |
| them to be if the House had adopted the resou-
| tons had the honor to present some time since, |
the central government and its federal officers in
the State of New York did interfere with our To-
4 IL lol..-
50 acted one them publicly avowed "by al-
thorty" of the administration, (and the President
| has in nowise conradcted discountenanced |
| the avowal) submit with great confidence that |
these acts do constitute questions of national and
not merely local interest," that ought to be promptly
considered by the representatives OF the States |
| Whether New York, South Carolina or Georgia
be.ihe particular locality whose rights invaded
| is of no importance. The wrong is equally alarm |
| ing 10 all Ii the central government is allowed |
without being called TO account, thus 10 intrude
upon the sacred rights of any of the States |
| ask where is the usurpatlon 10 be arrested |? |
| Where is the stopping place TO be? called for |
the correspondence between the Secretary of the
Treasury and the late collector of New York, in
order in part 10 establish these facts. Ii would
have disclosed that of the most eminent and |
worthy citizens Of the State of New York, whose |
! honorable administration of his Office was beyond
| suspicion-who had made his appointments of |
| subordnates, and submitted the names of those |
that the law required TO be submitted 10 the Sec
retary Of the Treasury; and, with single excep-
| ton, (where the Office was abolished) every one
of his appointments were sanctioned and confirmed
by the authorities at Washington against whom
no complaint made until just before the cleo /
tons were to take place--was summarily removed,
under circumstances which leave room for
doubt TO the motives for the act.
Up to the day that the Secretary Of the Treasury
wrote his remarkable letter in September last
there had not been word Of complaint, official or
private, by the government, against Mr.. Bronson.
No murmur heard against him until after the
democratic party of the State of New York-the
| hards who were in favor of extending their
internal improvements, and of enlarging the Erie
| canal had nominated ticket for the purpose of
carrying out these great principles of State policy,
and until after Mr.. Bronson had expressed his
preference as he had right TO do for that ticket
which was favorable to them. When Mr.. Bronson
was invited by the former freesoilers and the
sofls of New York TO attend their meeting, he
declined, a letter respectful in its character and