The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-06

LETTER OF HON. A. G. WATKINS, OF TENNESSEE.
The in the first congressional district Of Tonnes
see in the late election, between Messrs Taylor and
Watkins both of whom had heretofore been wings and
both regarded knownothings Mr. Taylor WAS in
the last Congress- and had not only identified himself with
the enemies of southern institutions by his opposition to
the Nebraska BILL but he had made himself prominent
knownothing from the fact that he offered bill in the
House for the extension Of the naturalization law to TWEEN
y-one years Colonel Watkins had been in Congress for
several years prior TO the term of Mr. Taylor and had
cured the entire confidence of all national men by the
sency Of his and the earnesness of his devotion
to sound conservative principles In the late election be
successful and we gratied to be able to lay
before readers letter in which he places himself
high national grounds. Mr. Watkins was invited to at
tend know-notlling mass meeting at Knoxville He de-
cned the invitation, but returned the following highly
interesting letter:
PANTHER SPRINGs, Sept. 6, 1855.
DEAR An invitation from the committee of invitation
to meeting Of the American party at Knoxville the
2lst instant has been received adopted the American
party for two reasons; was that the party to which
had always belonged merged 1T the other that
the principles set forth in the Nashville and also in the Phil
adepha platforms, Embodied sentiments of which an
advocate il understood the platforms These principles
thought was the exponent of and the only exponent them
in hi, district, during the last for Congress- The
however, oil these facts with
nmity through the officers of their organization, united
against me- and threw my individual resources entire
y and received in this county and Sewer only person
Al friends Of the party would have gone for under
honorable circumstances. How these things effected
know not but it BY what process these things
done not having been any meetings
councils adopted the party last winter reasons
stated by simple invitations know nothing OF its operations
behind the platform whatever. supposed when joined ii
that it would adhere TO its published principles. In this
far is
mistaken. am therefore, personally and Individually,
under obligations to the party whatever IT have read
Alright, and understood the platforms mentioned in this let
ter they recognised and advocated the doctrines of 1850
reference American territory fcero power, State
rights southern and institutions and property
also the legislation of the last Congress the territorial
question am and have been, and expect be, the advo
Of these doctrines They as understand them the
doctrines the constitution and of the South No personal
individual, local consideration, change impair
my estimate of these principles II the American party
its preliminary operations preparatory to the next pres
Dental election, (Which is Of the object Of these
mass meengs) shall naonalze itself upon these questions
so as TO exclude the abolition and ee-so factions Of the
North with It; otherwise, am not Hcnceforth am
against party that culvates aud psnders to those dan
rerous in the government shall not attend this
other meeting in tho present attitude OF things
cannot without compromising my selfrespect gentle
man. gorify in popular baranguos party that has
Gently without just cause, attempted TO crush politically
In conclusion am the doctrines of ls5odoctnes rec
Of the United States the of executive superiu-
tendency its organic beginning in the absence Of local
and vested rights and further. All authority after
the ncipicnt organization of Territory by Congress,
by executive appointment, is vested in the people
settling aid Territory They erect the State government
local State institutions subject only the cons-
tuition Of the United States when such territorial State
organization applies for admission into the Union When adj
mted State rights authority ntervene upcrsede and
becomes paramount to- all federal power They regard the
constitution Of the United States entirety and hnay
and therefore, repudate all geographical Distinctions such
ordinance Of 81, the line of 36 80 Wlmo provso,
&C. These regard embodiment OF the doctrines OF
1880 The constitution of the United States and the consu
ton Of tho States and the people. You and other editors
have called on for my positions You have them and /
hope win give them he place in papers you
did the request
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. q. WATKINS.
DR.. WM, G. BRowSLow,