The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-15


aboring with much zeal to influence the convention
to forget all the more important questions Of State
politics and to aid the scheme of the whig managers
known al once that the democracy Of New York will
not lend itself to any such purpose
The Hon. d. 9. Dickinson on Know Nothing
[Trom tho n. Y. Daily News-hard she'll
Some two months since Mr.. G. q. Dyke. editor Of
an administration print published ct Tallahassee
to the Hon. Daniel 8. Dickinson. inquirng his OPT
MON upon the Know Nothing movements Whether
Mr. Dyke had been led to believe the falsehoods OF
Union down, as to Mr.. Dickinsons Opinions, we
know not; but we presume he had credfed, or pre-
tended to credit them, and that he was put FORWARD
to write to Mr. Dickinson In pursuance OF some deep
plan of the Cabinet intriguers. That gentleman
however, responded promptly to! his queries, in
q letter addressed to the sinterOgator. This. as
we have said, was about two months ago. What
has been done with the letter since the world does
Tallahassee to Washington, and from Washington
to Old Point Comfort, and from Old Point Comfort
back to Tallahassee again, before being permitted
mise, but can form no definite decision Our OPT
Mon however, is that the delay this letter has met
with has not been without its object. The interim
has been busily employed by the Van Buren, and
Union, Charleston Mercury, and other allies Of
free soilism in the South, in charging upon Mr..
Dickinson a completely with Know nottingham,
which his letter. in the hands OF the minions OF the
administration has been suppressed to give pausi-
bty to. Such honorable tactics are not unusual in
the free soil councils.
Mr.. Dyke, in the Tallahassee Fgoridian and
Journal OF the 4th inst at last gives what purports
to be Mr. Dicknsofs letter, TO his readers Probably
because he has little room left in his paper ON &C
count of the publication Of very long government
advertisement, he carefully cuts of the date, which
should be at Albany, June, 1879; He also. doubt.
of interrogation to Mr.. Dickinson. And in remarks
bic contradistinction to the excessive admiration
and personal attachment he has, in his correspon-
dence with Mr. Dickinson, frequently expressed to.
wards that gentleman, he accompanies the publica-
ton with abusive remarks, (possbly sent on to him,
ready written, along with the letter, from Old Point
Comfort) as unfair as they are untrue:-
LETTER FROM THE HON. DANIEL s. DICKINSON ON
KNOW NOrHINGIsM.
1.-THE following letter, first published In the ITALIA
hassee Foyidion and Journal OF August 4, was
written in June, lS5a.-Eds. NJ Y. Daily Netcs,l
My DEAR Sir :--On my return to my residence
few days since, from q professional engagement
Abroad found your favor OF a late date inquiring
for my views touching the principles Of the "Ameri.
od to this nase
attend the Court of Appeals, now in session, where
the business in which i am engaged affords little
time or opportunity for correspondence. will how
tons, borrow a moment from my pressing duties to
say quite hastily that have no knowledge concern
ing the Order to which You allude, except such as
sacqaired from publications puiporting to give in
fine myself to such points as are embraced within this
range. 1t ia generally understood and conceded to
be secret society or organization, designed TO act
politically in the contests Of the day. OF this secret
feature entirely dsapprove, and am unable TO un-
derstaEd by hat necessity real supposed, il
dictated or upon what prime ple 1t can be justified.
Free public discussion and open action on all public
eXistence-of popular liberty; and the day which
finds the public mind reconciled to the secret move
ments OF political parties will find us Tar on orr way
TO the slavery Of despotism. IL good men may meet
in secret for good purposes, We can have no as
sGrarce that bad men, under the same plausible ex-
terror, will not secretly sap the foundation Of public
virtue.
Whether am ia favor of their platform upon the
question of domestic slavery must depend upon what
it IS: rather, whether they in favor of Inine
fteir platform is to be regarded as including, up
holding or justfying such political monstrosties as
law by the Massachusetts Legislature the veto
of Governor Gardner then pronounce il treason OF
the deepest dye--trcasOn. rank, anblushing and
brazcn-des ervng Of public apprehension and con-
dign punishment II upon this subject their plat
form conforms to resolutions recently published,
purporting to be the voice of majority Of the
venion assembled at Philadelphia it is in substance
the sane upon which have stood for years--upon
which did not enter without counting the conse-
quences, and which intend to relin1uish only with
life. | have not now these resolutions before me-
upplofc thcHt III suDstiiiCc
as sound national doctrine. ignore no part Of the
federal constitution either in theory or in practice
TO count the popular caprices OF the moment to gain
public station, or to minister TO the necessities or in
firmities OF those in power Nor can distrust the
sonndness Of principles approved upon full con-
sidera,on under high sense Of duty because others
may choose to adopt and embrace them.
cannot believe that any good can be accomplish.
ed by making the birthplace test Of fidelity or
merit II does not accord with. but is at war with
the genius OF our Institutions. That abuses have
heen praoticed by the appointment of foreigners to
places u trust, before sufficiently familiar with
constitution, laws, and social system, or to which,
from crcumstances, they uDsuited, is probable.
This however ia In some respects common to native
as well naturazed citizens and arises not from
detective system, but from its erroneous admins
traton. II is in both respects the natural result OF
placing in the hands of the incompetent the dstri
button Of public patronage.
Upon the subject Of naturalized citizens l have
been governed by considerations of justice and duty.
and have designed 10 observe the spirit OF my c0un.
trys constitution. When members OF Congress EN-.
gagged in steeple chase TO see who should propose
earliest give most and vote loudest to feed suffer-
ing Ireland from the federal treasury, few years
since not finding any warrant for such proceedings
voted against il, and let public clamor exhaust
itseif upon my head in denuncations. When
learned that the foreigner who had in good faith de-
cared his intentions Of citizenship by setting his
foot upon foreign shore In case Of shipwrcck,
without any intention Of remaining abroad lost the
benefit Of his proceedings, introduced and pro-
cured the passage Of bill 70 redress the grievance.
These principles have governed my public conduct,
and now guide my opinions. The constitution, ad-
mnistered In It's true spirit is, in my Judgment,
sufficient TOR the protection OF ALL whether native or
natnraized and for the redress OF all political evils
which can be reached by human government.
have the honor to be, your friend and servant,
ID. :. DICKINSON.