The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-09-07
From the Detroit Free Press, Ang. %, 1855.
LETTER FROM GEN. ClSS.
IN ha0w-,Nofhiagism md The Pouer of
Congress IN the Territories.

congress ~ ne Territories.
DErRotr, ArG. -, 1853.
10 THE Enron OF TIE FREE PREss =
Sr-The public journals contain letter da-
hai es v ast 5t eth v GdFVti-q zig, qay hy
pprcgives, BY the papers of the day, that Seen
rraI CasS has approved the platform OF the a.
mpricau order, as proclaimed to the world by
thp convention al Philadelphia" had obSrr
we'd the statements 10 which Gen. Houston al
ludts, and had let them pass unnotlcrd, for 1t
would 5e hopeless task TO endeavor TO correct
all the misapprehpnSionS and misrepresentation
TO which it is NY lot, as we'll as that Of all 9th
pr public meu, to BE- exposed in these days Of
party strife. And, inderd, could moi suppose
that snch assertions would deceive any one who
had heard or had read my remarks in the Senate
of the United States, on the 9th OF February last,
upon the presentation of the resolutions Of the
Legislature of Michigan, instructing the Senators
Of that State to vote for an act Of Congress pro-
bi5ting the introduction Of slavery into the Ter
sofies of the United STATES. Upon that occa-
sion. while declining 10 comply with those IN
Slructions, took the opportunity to express
my sentiments in relation to the new political
move which sought TO acquire and exercise pow
4T BY secret combinations, bound together by
-thp sanctions of an oath, which, ii is SAID, made
the duty of its members TO surrender their m
dyidual convictions to the expressed will of a
majority of their associates. ! then observed /:
"Strange doctrines are abroad, and strange or
ganlzations are employed 10 promulgate aud en-
force them. Our political history contains no
such chapter in the progress of our country as
that which is now opening. The questions OF
constitutionaity and policy, which have been
50 long the battle-cry Of parties, are contemp;u-
o1Sy rejected, and Intolerance, religious and po-
ltical, finds zraous, and it may be- they will
prove successful, advocates in this middle OF the
Nineteenth century, boasting with much self
comPlacency OF ITS intelligence, and in this free
country, founded upon immigration, and grown
Prosperous and powerful by federation.
We want no new parties, no new platforms, nc
new organizations, and the sooner these danger
ons efforts are abandoned, the better viii it be
ioFus, and for those who are to follow us in thi.
heritage of freedom"
might we'll suppose, after the expression o
these views upon the floor Of the Senate, anc
Under circumstances of peculiar responsibility
u'a' any further action on my part would b.
unnecessary TO prove my consistency, as dis
cipIe Of the school Of Washington, and Jeffer
San, and Madison and Jackson, in the rejection
ol dangerous innovation, inconsistent with al
Sne principles those patriots taught, and which
10 Effect, aims to transfer the great political du
~ OF an American citizen from the light of day
Where i; should be exercised in this land of free
Non, to secret conclaves, as TO wise and patriot
Gr'Is'on. But the extract from the letter Of Ger
houston has shown me that these reports hav
received more credit than ] had believed, an
tAs consideration has induced me thus publicl
" notice and to contradict them. NV opin
'oAs indeed, upon any subject, are but of flhtl
consequence, except TO myself, but if they ar
worth referring to, they are worth the troubl
0t making the reference true one.
have no sympathy with this plan of polt
'a' organIzatlon-none whatever, neither wit
,ue Means it employs, nor the objects it seel
70 auaIh Its secrecy, its oath bound obligation
''S control Of the ballot box, its systems ol PR