Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-09
NUMBER 81.
Letter Of George Law, Of New York, 10
the Legislature Of Pennsylvania.

| GEsrLEaEN I have received the letter which you
did me the honor to address me on the I'd Instant
From my early manhood have been principally
| engaged In the enterprises and avocatons of pr-
yate life; these enterprises, however, in the opin-
ion of many, having very important bearing upon
the interests and progress Of this great country.
During that period Of time have paid no more
attention to- taken no further interest In, the
affairs Of the republic than what good citizen or
lover Of his couatry takes by putting quietly his
vote into the ballot-box. was therefore startled
in q considerable degree from my quiet mode of
life by the reception OF very important letter, da-
ted at Harrisburg, signed by the Speaker OF the
House OF Representatives Of the State of PennsyI-
vania, several Senators, and other members Of the
Legislature, propounding inquiries of leading
political character in reference TO the present state
of public affairs, and the future action Of the Amer
lean people. The honor and the compliment COM
bined of having received q letter from such high
quarter, asking for my humble opinion in the pres
ent crisis of our land quite sufficient to satisfy
my ambition il it terminated with the solitary act
| of making this reply. With these impressions on
| my mind, ! almost hesitate to venture upon the
public path to which your letter invites me with
| SO much magnanimty, confidence and good feeling.
We have arrived at very important crisis in the
history of this Republic Parties principles and
| men---statesmcn and politicians, all seem to be in
| rapid state OF decomposition, transition and re-
construction. Indeed, the same aspect of confli-
sion and dscord in the public affairs and public
parties which afflict this country, seems to be a
common disorderor epidemic over the whole earth.
| Europe Is labOring in the same condition. What
is it? tits the close Of one great cycle Of revoln
| ton and the beginning of another in the worlds
civilization Even Asia, that mysterious country
with which steam Is linking us, is filed with con-
fusion, war, disorder and revolutions. Happily,
however, for this country, we are possessed Of too
| much religion, intelligence and common sense to
y, thara Inc
in religious questions politics. BY our frcsides
we form our opinion Of what Is necessary to be
done settle upon common principles, organize into
parties, and 60 quietly to the ballot-box and there
determine, like practical men and civilized beings,
every knotty question Of the day.
From the first gun of the Revolution down to
the present day, the people of the United States
have passed through three terms Of political exist
ence, all allied to each other In general character,
! but differing in practical results The great revo-
utonary period ended with the establishment Of
the Union, the formation Of the constitution in
| 1857, and the dignifed retirement of Washington
| from Office with all the honor that the American
people could confer upon him--their gratitude and
affection The second period of our political his
tory, beginning with the establishment of the re-
publican party, under the mantles of Jefferson and
Madison, also great and leading statesmen of their
age, ended with the close of Mr.. Monroes admin
istraton. During that era, great questions Of for
eign aud domestic policy we're settled. the third
period began with the election of General Jackson,
and closed with the settlement of many important
political issues during his administration. The con-
tests Of the Democratic and Whig parties now .
closing in the degencracy and confusion Of all ras-
ties creates the aeSurosy fsr some NOW party grow
ing out Of the state Of the times, In order to
vate and refresh the countrp and the age. The
distinguished men OF each Of these three periods
| have passed away but the recollections Of their
services to the country still exist. The most re-
| cent OF our great statesmen-Calhoun, Clay, and
| Webster, with some of their cotemporaries-hay
left us rich legacies in principles from which new
departures may be taken by those who have intel
| ligence enough to drink at the proper fountain.
But although nearly all the issues of former
| party contests have been settled or died away yet
every age has its new issues and fresh difficulties
/ for parties and statesmen TO discuss encounter
and arrange. During the last few years the orig.
nal virtue and purity Of the two great political par
/ ties which have contended for the mastery, have
nearly departed both have degenerated and dis
graced the nation in many important particulars.
This corrupt state OF things had been predicted by
| some Of our most eminent statesmen. The period
has now arrived when, from the exigency Of the
times and guided by the lights of the constitution
the people Of this country are preparing for a
change and reorganization Of the present ele-
ments Of republican government This wish and
determination on the part of the American people
has disclosed itself in the elections in differ
ent portions OF the country in manner not to be
misunderstood, at North, South East and West
These results are the beginning OF the develop
ments Of manly national spirit, crude and anoma-
ous at first, but destined under the guidance cf
| common sense TO raise the country from thosp
mires of corruption into which IL has fallen by the
mismanagement Of political leaders.
| One Of the most dangerous evils which has
grown out Of the degencracy Of the old parties ~
that Of sectional agitation. Sectional agitation 4.
the great danger that menaces the American re.
/ public il Is the weak point Of the Union. Tho
sacred tic of marriage cannot subsst in private lfe
without confidence in the virtue OF the parties
united neither can this Union exist under the
dishonorabe and malignant sectional agitation
which have been forced upon In these latter
days by small sections Of politicians who sink into
insignifcance before the great historical names of
our country. Sectional agitation is not only our
weakest point at home: but II invites the inter-
ference Of our enemies abroad.
Tie negligence and ineffciency with which the
public affairs Of this country, both foreign and do
mostic, have been conducted by those in power
whether Democratic or Whig, for the last few years.
have attracted the attention Of all sensible men,
and created in the minds OF the people the neces-
sty Of radical reform. Our system Of indirect
taxation, commonly called tariff on imports, has
been established and framed for the purpose sim.
ply Of supplying the annual wants Of the govern
ment and for giving indirect protection to our
manufactures. This system Of taxation has proved
to be Of such nature in practice as 70 create dan
gerous SURPRISES Of millions Of gold and silver in
the Treasury, thereby deranging the currency,
throwing exchanges into confusion, and bringing
bankruptcy and ruin upon every branch of busi-
ness The politicians and statesmen (if they may
deserve the name) Of the two old parties have been
too busiIy engaged in schemes Of personal aggran.
dizemcnt to arrange this important financial ques-
ton, on such principles as would simply answer
the wants Of the government and the interests Of
the country. It is time, therefore, to turn short
corner on these points Of policy, and TO contrive
suitable legislation, not for the purpose Of spois
for themselves or dependents, but for the benefit
and advantage Of the whole country.
This system requires immediate reconstruction
upon the highest principles Of patriotism and com.
mon sense, IN order to the country from the
frequent commissions and periods Of bankruptcy
which have occurred during the last three or four