American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-07-28
Letter from John Wilson, Esq, to
President Pierce.
WAsnIYeroN, July 3, 1855.


res WAsHIYeToN, July 3, 1855.
Sir On the 9th ultimo received from
you note advising me that my "appoint-
ment as Commissioner of the General Land
Office" was thereby revoked"
The organ of the administration, the "Union''
newspaper, announced to the world that the
revocation or removal was HSolety ON polii-
cal grounds" Justice requires that those
= political grounds should be fully under
stood; and hence this communication.
Prior 10 your election to the Presidency of
the United States His Eycelltncy, Millard
Fillmore, on the resignation of my prede-
cessor, influenced only, as he assured me, by
a desire TO promote the bes, interests OF that
branch of the service, appointed me Com
missioner Of the General Land Office.
Bemga Wing, expected to be removed
as soon after your inauguration as suitable
person could be selected TO succeed me, and
so statedio the honorable Secretary. In this
was disappointed, aud hence so far as you
are concerned, Whigeery was not considered
Sufficient cause for my removal No pro-
cess of reasoning, however, is required 10 as
certain that cause; you were pleased to ad.
wise me of it. and TO assure me that tho du
ties OF my office had been discharged with
such ability, imrarilality, and prompti,uae,
that nothing but tho fact that had attached
myself to the American or know-Nothng
party, could mduce>you TO take that action
tha, if taken i, would be with deep regret,
but You did not sec how you could do other.
wise, with due regard to The interests of
the great Democratic or Union party TO a
correct understanding of your action, and
the reasons for il, it becomes necessary to
consider the origin, principles, and objects of
The American party, and wherein a,connex-
isf gih- i !, feula Iqiltala against the inter
ests OF "the great Democratic or Union par
ty," so as TO render such connexion mortal
political offence, in your estimation.
First, then, as TO the origin Of the American
Party.
True patriots, Of all parties, who earnest
ly desired the welfare of our country, and
the perpetuaton of the Union, on the prin,
ciples laid down by the sages and heroes Of
The revolution, had seen with apprehension
and dismay the pandering of both the great
political parties of the day, to foreign and
papal influence, the corruption that had
grown out Of such pandering and the ten.
dency of that corruption to the dissolution
nal despotism. They determined 10 forge,
3,
heart and hand in efforts 20 bring back our
institutions to their pristine purity. You
professed 10 think that there were no grounds
for such apprehensions, that the danger was
magifed, and that the whole scheme was
q plan of designing politicians, TO advance
their selfish and personal views.
What are the facts?
We have seen The minions Of Rome, bound
by the most solemn oaths TO advance the
spiritual and temporal power of the Papacy,
striving TO break up and divide the school
funds OF several Of the States, and of this
District, urging as plea, principles which
would have snbverted the very foundations
OF our institutions. We have seen them
strive, and in some instances successfully, Ia
prevent tho introduction of Gods Holy Word
among the Protestant children OF our Public
Schools, not satisfied TO exclude it from the
children Of Romanists, but determined, il
possible, wholly TO suppress this great chart
OF civil and religious liberty !; al the same
time blottiDS out, or falsifyiDg history in
certain schools, so that the black and bloody
deeds of that Hierarchy, in past times, might
be unknown to the rising generation; which
therefore, would more easily become thei
prey.
We have seen Romish ecclesias,cs, claim.
ing TO hold the temporal possessions of the
Church In trust for their master, the Pope,
and when the freemen of our country resist.
ed such pretensions, Cardinal Bedni, with
hands yet reeking with the blood of Ugo
Bassi and his felow-pa,tiots, was sent here
as the Pope's Nuncio to Brazil by the
way OF the United States" to adjudge and
decree questions OF property between those
minions of his master and our fellow. citizens,
promulgating his bulls, with threats of an
Athena and accommodation against those
who dared refuse obedience.
After thus attempting TO exercise civil
and ecclesiastical power in this country, this
Nuncio, i, is alleged, claimed to be received
as The Pope's AMBASSADOR, with all the rights,
privileges and immunities pertaining to that
ollice. His request having been properly
refused. he again sat himself up as ruler
aud Judge among us, till he found that he
had aroused the spirit that had caused our
forelathers 10 seek peaceful retreat in the
lheil Wilderness Of this country, from The
civil and ecclesiastical tyranny Of Europe.
Then he fled in disguise, not to Brazil---ihat 1t
was mere snbierfuge--but 10 the skirts of
bis master, where h0 awaits more favura.
bic time, when, as in Bologna, he can take
bloody vengeance on those who resisted his
tyranny,
Further when the statesmen. The pairi.
0,, and the sage, who shed his blood 10 de-.
lence OF his county, and stood by her stan.
dard in every emergency who oyetstepping
all other considerations, was found shoulder
10 shoulder with his compatriois, in the
memorable struggle Of 1910, Tor thc integrity
and perpetuity Of the Union which cost the
'amented Clay his life when this pure pa.
riot ana distinguished statesmen, in the