The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-20
CITY POLITICS.


DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS.
HALF SHELL Observation-Disclosures OF THE HALF
SHELL CITY, COUNTY AND JUDICIARY c0NvEN-
TION TO THE DEMOCRACY OF THE ClTY-LErrERs
FROM THEIR NOMINEES ON THE POLITICS OF TEE
DAY.
The address given below was adopted at the Half Shell
City County and Judiciary Convention, that assembled
at St. Johns Hall Thursday evening last BY vote Of
96 to g. after stormy discussion 1t was reported by
Daniel sickles, and may be regarded as the official
manifesto of the half sh.li Union democrats. We
published their ticket yesterday Appended to the ad-
dress letters from several of their candidates who
INTERCEPTED by the committee as to their views
the Maine liquor law Know Nothingism, and the pro-
prety of fusing the democratic party The letter Of
H. Ncon who failed to receive the nomination, will
be read with interest. The following Is the address,
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN UNION CONVENTION TO TUE
ELECTORS OF THE Cry AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
In presenting ticket for the support OF the democracy
of New York at the ensuing State and municipal cleo
tons proper occasion offers itself for brief exposition
of the which have combined to induce such
ton tn part Of this convention. The universally
cognzed existence Of ment profound antagonism
to the various factions which, either separately
jointly. striving to obtain control Of State
and city governments, clearly indicates the pcoprety
the necessity of united effort of the sound
all parties the only Of defeating the allied hosts
Of fanaticsm. The remarkable coincidence OF opinion
bers of the democratic party of this city points
With equal cearness to that party as the only one
capable Of Tailyng the opponents Of abo,onsm
mon ground. lhe democratic party alone, tho
roughly pervaded as 1t is by sound and national
sentiments oilers the only security to the fugtives from
the ranks OF that great PARTY which has formally
rendered itself to the enemies OF Individual rights
and our national institutions, and affords the only posi-
tion whence those enemies safely successfully
combated conviction of these facts strengthened by
the events Of each day and Of each hour has infused into
the minds Of the democrats Of this city desire and de-
terminate for union which, breaking the traInmels of
actona organizations and repudiatng the dctaton of
interested and selfish leaders, have found expression in
the Of which this convention is the result The
immediate which led TO the formation of
organization intended to combire the democratic vote of
this city and to unite il such ticket might be
deemed most eligible for that purpose, well as to
effect permanent union of the party the basis of
sound national principles have been set forth in the two
addresses already published by the General Committee
10 enter again upon elaborate analysis Of those
would therefore be superauous yet, we may be per-
mtted to say that the which dictate
have continued TO increase in magnitude and urgency
and convinced must make themselves appa-
rent 10 every democrat who is sincerely anxious for the
success Of his party and his principles.
The repeant attitude Of the two rival and hostile dvi
sons Of the party has imposed the necessity OF
selecting candidates from among those already named
at StuyyesaEt Institute and Tammany Hall. Harmony,
not discord being our first and only object TO nominate
third ticket would be contrary to the spirit ami the aim
of Yganzatcn--would increase the prevailing con-
fusion sdd another to the elements Of dssenson al
ready existing In making choice Of those candidates
whom VIC have placed ticket, we have made no
invdious distinctions, but have been guided solely
present ticket which should as whole, best adapt
Itself to the ends we have in view We are conscious
that must have omitted the names Of gentlemen per-
haps personally competent and popular as those
whom choice has devolsed but we have considered
the CLAIMS ofou party as superior to the claims OF nd
vuals and have endeayored to disregard personal pre-
erences in effort to the triumph Of principles
We no. only willing but anxious to accord to other
members Of the Party and especially 70 he
aspirations, and the same zeal for the success OF
our IrinciI les, that we insist on claiming for our,
selves. We are convinced that vast majority OF
the democrats of New York city animated by
similar spirit. We believe that recent events have
deprived the terms hard and soft, applied to
different members of the same party OF much of their
sgncancy and all Of their relevancy and that they
only indicative OF former diei ences and should be
considered but the mementCes OF past divisions. We
therefore call Upon the candidates heretofore nominated
but who may not have been placed upon the union
their cherished and time hoIored principles to withdraw
from fratrcidal well suicidal contest which
naming in the field but ally themselves indirectly
with the foea whom they profess to nbat and to con-
to deest By withdrawing from canvass which pro-
mil beneficial results to themselves and leaving the
field open for united and harmonious party, they will
sacrifice nothing but will gain the appreciation Of their
consciences and viii deserve the applause and the
lasting gratitude of all democrats We confidently
result eminently desirable To the support OF
the ticket which We now present in the name Of the
Union democracy Of New York we would invoke all
who agree with in principle, confident that We
need only their countenance to obtain decisive VIC
by this convention to choose candidates who might be
sound all the important questions Of the day has
been fully redeemed In pursuance Of the resolution
adopted by the convention at its last sitting inerroga
tories have been addressed to the various candidates.
and have been satisfactorily answered by all whose names
appear ticket. We can state explicitly that our
candidates all sound, national men-that they all
opposed 10 any legislation by Congress on the sub
ject Of slavery in the territories-that they
guivoca " hostile TO Che odous and tyrannicai ssane
liquor law and distinctly commit ed against the
abomnabe heresies of Know Nothingism. We can also
emLenty entitled TO the support OF oil those with whom
a reform of municipal abuses and decrease of the pre-
sent onerors of taxation paramount Objects
The inherent Jealousy Of profse expenditure thai has
always characterized the democratic party affords a
guaranty that its would check that prodgallty
wastefulness which the of many evils,
and insure that economical administration OF our public
affairs long hoped in vain from other parties. The
democratic Organization therefore offers TO citizens
who really desirous for municipal reform the alliance
of great and powerful party which has the will and
may soon have the ability carry their views Its
principles necessarily conduce to economy and conse-
quent low taxation and its candidates presented by
this convention personally as well as politically en-
titled to support on that ground.
Once more we appeal to all those Who reject the op-
pesive and despo'ic principle of the Maine aw-we APP
as men are invaded by the an,i-repablcan tests of
the Know Notbrgs; to those who opposed 20 the
aims and the doctrines faction and WHO disapprcve
its principles and dread its resuswe appeal to all who
wish for municipal REFORM low taxation and an econom
cal adminstration-we appeal to al who oppose aboh
tionism and its traitorous dcsgns-we appeal To all
democrats who desire the of their party and the
confusion of It's enemies-to all these appeal to
sign former differences to deserved oblivion 10 discard
personal predictions, to orsake those perncious al
ances which Mould lead them from that common centre
where lies their only hope of safety and to rally to the
support of the ticket now present to them on behalf
Of the national union democracy of New York.
NEW York, Oct. Is, 1855.
GENTrKMEN--1 have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept your letter Of this day apprising Of the prn
cipes promulgated BY the Democratic Republican Union
Nominating Committee and inqul log whether the same
meet with my concurrence.
The Office for which have been nominated being
judicial one involving simply the faithful admiDstra
ton Of existing laws do not conceive that my opinions
whatever they may be upon any Of the points suggested
In your letter be material in determining upon my
fitness for the situation in question. must therefore
very respectfully decline complying with your request
HENRY NICoII.
To Charles H. whalen, D. E. sickles Wesley Hunt Esqs,
Committee.
No. Ia FAST TWENTY FOURTH srnfTr.
NEW YORK, October IL, 1855
GrynEMEy-A severe illness. from which am not yet
quite recovered prevented earlier your
Communication OF the 18th inst
approve OF the doctrine OF non intervention by Con.
yress With the question of slavery In the Territories
10 ipha liton sorf