Washington telegraph., 1854-10-18
An Independent Letter.

v. place the subioined letter in our columns,
w, gnv particular interest we feel, or that we
ot ~ tie great bulk of our readers feel, IN the
1 pl 1.-THE struggle between the several divisions
sue sue democracy in New York but we copy 1t
%o independent spirit and self-respect winch
LAYS. and which are so rarely exhibited IN
'ElI.tes for popular favor. The writer refuses
rs any pledges; he puts himself on his char
= and tells his Interrogators that II his past
E;'I las not afford sufficient guarantees for him
ooav vote against him. We should be glad
r.! he example O! Mr.. Bronson become the
'"on1 not the exception. At present, candi-
t . have to take as many hues as the chameleon
I,;t every whim and every phrase OF popular
4 .r Our readers may remember that Presi-
C2IoI sat an honorable example in this respect
Rs.' bo was interrogated by friends in the Balt-
|HASn convention. He refused to answer their
|no.s ;ons though repeatedly urged, and maintain
h .ienre though his nomination was suspended
% While TO wait his response.
i0' " National InteZligencer
LETTER from Hon. Greene C. Bronson.
New YORK, Sept. A, 1854.
r..t1o,,op. In answer to your communication.
o1s"octfuIy refer to the published proceedings
l1I5l 45e State Committee at their recent meeting
.b;s citv. and need only add in this more form
! r1.nner. that my nomination for the Office of
.l.srnor .lo by the Democratic Convention of July
t;s accepted, and my former letter to you on
|.bo s7bect is of course recalled.
nS Nv 6oIitical principles and opinions cannot be
uinoru to the people of this State, and your let
c,Is for no avowals but | will not omit 20
t;rs verv briefly one or two OF the exciting topics
II the day. ;, -,
G,.r I'D ,,r1a
y;sb 10 dissolve the Union the contract should be
@bf1Ilv performed. If any among Us regard it
as hard bargain, still, so long we continue to
- +be benefits which the Constitution coniers,
.an7non honesty requires that we should bear
tbe burdens which it imposes
lam decidedly in favor OF allowing the people
ofryerv State and Territory to regulate their do
ss+ic institutions for themselves, instead of car
-r;rr sucb matters into halls Of Congress, when
+iav have proved a dangerous bone of contention.
There is no substantial reason why there should
10 strife between the different sections OF the
T-rfon, and all controversy will cease when each
liscbaTges its constitutional obligations to the
otbpr. and the people Of every section are left to
manage their own internal affairs in their own
way.
Whether such sentiments are now popular or
nat, entertain no doubt that they viii ultimate
n be approved by great majority OF the people
Il fbis State Error and fanaticism may triumph
6T time, but reason will prevail in the end
Ihave received letters from all sources asking
lIedges that | will act in accordance with the
,iews Of the writers upon several matters which
ire not Of strictly political character, and avail
nvsefofthis occasion respectfully to answer that,
while | have no desire to conceal my opinion up
,n any question OF any public nature, | cannot
Weld to any such requests.
The practice OF giving pledges to suit the views
Of particular classes of electors is one of recent
tate, and has, for the most part beer introduced
Jy men of doubtful character. 1t has often been
esOrted to as means Of cheating the people; for
experience has proved that promises made to
,atch votes are as readily broken as they are
made If the past life of a candidate for Office
Toes not furnish sufficient guaranty tor the recti-
gie of his future conduct it is much safer to vote
against him than it IS to trust in promises None
1i our ilustrous Presidents or Governors ever re-
sorted to pledges to further an electou and. with
)at presuming to rank myself with them, think
It safe to follow their example.
am, very truly. yours,
GREENE C. BRONSON.
}icssrs. Archibald c. Niven Joseph D. Monsell,
Winsow c. Watson, John Murdock and Oliver
Cook. Committee ofthe Democratic State Con-
ventiol.