Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-21
NUMBER 237.
Letter from Governor Hunt ON the Pro-
posed Fusion OF the Whig Party with the
Republicans.
LoCKpoRT, August 5. 49,.

| DEAR SIR: have received your letter. and scy
era from other sources entitled TO respect, askiug
an expression OF my opinion in regard TO the pend
ing arrangements for disbanding of a new party
| OIL Northern sectional basis.
You are aware that have withdrawn from the
arena OF politics, intending to pass my days in the
more genial occupations Of rural life Yet il seems
due TO you and to my own selfrespect thar
should not refuse TO comply with your request To
Withhold my opinion in the present conjuncturr
would argue an indifference to the national welfar,
which do not feel, and which would be incompat.
ble with the allegiance that every citizen owes 10
his country. Sincerely coinciding in the views you
have advanced honor and propriety demand that
should assure you of my approval of your course
whoever may abandon the principles of th,.
wing party, In my estimation they are as valuable,
and important as ever. They are endeared to M.
oy cherished recolections, and by years of honest
effort in their defence; they still have the sanction,
Of my deliberate judgment. History will attest
that the objects of the Wing party were eminent.
| " national, conservative, and patriotic. To &C.
ment the bonds of union by just regard for the
| rights OF every section; to maintain the national
character by the observance of Justice in our fn
egn relations; to guard against executive abuses
and encroachments, and to promote the moral, in
tellectual, and material advancement of the conn
try by wise exercise of the legislative power.
were among its prominent aims. These are no
epnemeral views to be advocated to-day and re-
| nounced tomorrow; they involve great and cardi
nal principles which will be of continual recurrence
and application in the administration of govern.
ment, in every phase of our national progress
Regarding the elevation and prosperity Of the peo
pie as the only legitimate objects OF political effort
and convinced by experience that the conservatiye
doctrines and liberal measures for which we con
tended hitherto are really conducive to the public
welfare, propose to adhere to them | am on
posed to the dissolution of the Whig party. and
come what may, will not dsown its principles
II the Whg party generally are prepared to dis.
perse under sentence of selfcondemnation If n
great and patriotic party is abont to commit sui
eide, its own representatives acting as execution
ers, you must permit me to wash my hands Of the
feto do Sc. choose to have no part or lot in tn,
matter.
novel spectacle will be presented when the
delegates assemble in State convention to perform
the enyiable Office of pronouncing that the Whia
party is no more. 1t has been suggested that
they should speak for themselves, as some of
their old associates, still loyal to principle and
true to their antecedents may question the va
fdity OF the funeral formalties. 1t will probably
be urged in answer to our objections, that il We
are deprived of our own party organization,
another stands ready with open arms TO receive
us, and that nothing more is intended than Pro.
team change Of shape. In other words, it s an
exhilaratng metsmorphosis, and not political an
view of the case deserves serious attention. IL
brings us at once to the question whether the
formation OF Northern party on grounds relating
to negro slavery exclusively, and ignoring the r.ai
objects for which our federal system was designed
is likely to prove salntary or usefuls viii par
ty so constituted, confined as h must be to the
free States, confer any pnaetical good upon the
country Will It's efforts advance the inter-
ests of liberty and civilization Can it emanci.
pate single slave, or improve the condition OF
the African race VIII its struggles for suprem.
acy strengthen the foundations of American free
dom and independence ? VIII it do anything for
commerce, for internal improvements, for domes-
tic industry, or Tor promotion OF the general vel
fare Is t consistent with the example and teach
ngs Of our republican fathers, or with the idea OF
federal system that the people on one side OF
the Potomac should combine themselves into
party TO take possession Of the government of the
United Statess On sober reflection, my honest
judgment answers me in the negative.
Believing that sectional combination of this
kind il fraught with danger and mischief, II does
not accord with my views Of duty TO enlist under
its banner In federal politics, am not prepared
to serve in any party which does not identify H.
self with the whole country by presenting broad
national principles and system of measures upon
which good men In both sections and in AL the
States from Maine to California can unite in friend.
y cooperation. If northern anti-slayery party
il desirable, II must be desired that all the people
of the free States should enter into IT, The very
proposition implies that we are to be met BY the
people Of the Southern States in solid array. We
cannot close our eyes to the practical tendencies Of
such conflict. lts effect must be TO exasperatr
one part OF the nation toward the other part and
TO weaken If not to Danish those sentiments OF
friendship and brotherhood which gave birth Ia
the constitution. In such warfare both sections
will be reused to fierce resentment by mutual In
ss,lN nV.I IAV,, iii n
the other aliens and enemies instead of f,ienls and
fellow.citizcns and in a word VIC shall cease to 10
one people.
II Is contended that the Union IL too strong. IL
not too sacred, to be endangered by angry conten.
ton between the North and South This NAV b..
true while the contest Is confined to n band of sec
tional gladiators; but how long the Federal con-.
pact would survive a partisan struggle between
the people Of the lrca States and tbe people of the
slave States, or to what degree mutual wrath and
vengeance may be INDUCED with safety, are prob.
lens upon which choose not TO speculate. lIut
will not hesitate to express my conviction that ii
the time ever comes when fraternal kindness and
sympathy between the States shall be extingushed
in the popular breast, and when the sectional ai
mostly which is avowcd in some quarters shall be.
come the common sentiment of the American peo.
pie, the Union will no longer be worth preserving.
II will no longer be the Union established by
Washington and his compatriots ON the broad
foundation OF common interests, friendly ties and
national patriotism.
You must not infer that my sentiments concern.
ing slavery have undergone any change. M op-
position 10 The introduction Of siaprry into free
Trritory is uaniterabie. As representative |
resisted IL to the best Of my ability as a citizen
will sustain all just and reasonable action calculated
to contine the institution to its present limits On
this subject the position Of the Northern Wings
has been uniform and cons stent, and why shall
We leave the high ground VIC have occupied to
rush into an unnatural alliance with reckless, un.
reasoning fanaticism II | am not disposed to
reduce the negro to a political stalkinghorse for
party purposes, you must not conclude that | am
indifferent TO his true welfare. | would gladly CO.
operate in every rational plan for ameliorstng hts
condition. But we hardly called upon to forego
all other considerations and make him the exclu.
sivc object Of our zeal and solicitudc.
In the first place, power over the subject IA
confined 10 very narrow limits. Each State must
regulate aud control the political status of its
colored population. 1t is the undoubted right OF
oya,y m decida tho ntaation E,r ;taolF Ind,