The true Democrat., 1855-09-11

that the order was American and national that by Its influence aboltionism would be crushed at the north, and peace and quiet es- tabllshed at the South. How have these hopes and expectations been met? There is no denying the fact and l cannot conscientious. ly disguise it, that the orderis thoroughly abo- litionized at the north. I see it denied in the "O'gan," that the northern States have with drawn. If this be so, then the order is still more objectionable to me. In the next meeting of the national council, each State is to be re- presented according to population, which gives the abolition majority the power to nominate our candidates for the Presidency. 1.-the north ern States have withdrawn, then it is folly to call the party national any longer. Having always been whig hal as well affiliate with northern abolition whigs as with northern abo- lition know nothings-if I must affiliate with one or the other.
 But is this necessity? All the great issues between the whig and democratic parties have been settled There is no further question be- tween these parties as to bank, tariff or internal improvements. The slavery question is the very one now pending
 The whig party is denationalized by the northern wing becoming abolitioniz ed-where then, am to go? The democratic party at its last national convention, having adopted the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions, and "ac- quiesced" in the compromise of 1850, by which the slavery question was settled, I see no req son why I should not cooperate with it here after. The vote of a majority of the northern wing of that party for the Kansas bill, at the last session of Congress, shows that they are disposed to l1e4 :, the faith This is more than can with truth fe said of either toe American or whig party, in that section.
 Since the publication of our platform, at Phi ladelphia, 1 have been led to asking mvseli what are the principles of the party with which 1 have connected myself? We live under arepublican a form of government The peo- pie pass laws by their representatives. Is it not important then, that we should know the views of our representatives before voting for them? This principle was repudated at Phi ladelphia, and no qualifications now seem necessary, except that the candidate shall not be foreigner by birth, Roman Catholic, or be married to a Roman Catholic wife In this State, where there are more Roman Catholics than in any other, the latter disqualification seems to have been dispensed with, and our candidate for Governor is a Catholic Now, Giddings, Seward, Greeley, and hundreds of northern abOlitionists are native born Protest ants. Yet 1 could not vote for them. Tho mas Corwin, of Ohio, is native Protestant, and yet he wished that Catholic Mexicans would receive his brother American Protest ants ''with bloody hands and hospitabe graves.' Contrast his conduct with that of the foreign born Irish Cotholic, Gen. Shields, at the head of a brigade of native born Protestant Ameri. cans, shedding his blood in a contest with Mex- can Catholics. In reference to this war with tlDl; (, Catholic Soule?
 1 have investigated with sound diligence the question whether Catholics owe allegiance to the Pope of Rome, and 1 am constrained to say, that 1 am satisfied the charge is false How else can we explain the fact, that Roman Ca tholics voted for the war against Roman Catho- lie nation; commanded our armies and filled its ranks? But to recur to the immediate subject of this paragraph-the principles of our no pys,a- c5ple pa,ty. 1 have always supposed that the great advantage of republican form of govern ment was, that all questions as to the passage or repeal of laws, the collection or disburse- ment of money had to be canvassed before the people by those who were vested with legisla- tive power, before they were voted for it is thus and thus only that the will of the people can be ascertained. It is thus only that they
 
 which their lives, liberties and properties are to be effected. But 1t seems to be the opinion of our party, that it is only important to ascer- tain who are to hold the offices-not how they are to be administered. It is the first time, 1 believe, in the history of our country, or of any other pretending to be free, that party has arisen aspiring to supreme legislative control, without avowing its financial policy. Ameri- A Irish Catholics were fighting under Gen. Scctt, at Lundy's Lane, American Protestants were burning blue lights at New London. I would trust the foreign democrats of Illinois Indiana, Iowa and Michigan, whose representatives in Congaess voted for the Kansas bill and fugitive slave law sooner, far sooner than native Ame- rcan abotionists, of Massachusetts, who are opposed to both and who are moving heaven and earth to repeal the one, and have nullitied the other
 If candidates are to be elected without pre- viously declaring their principles and canvass ing them before the people, we had as we'll at once abolish the ballot box and appoint com- mittee of broken down hungry politicians to make our laws. As to this war upon foreign CTS, 1 am getting sick of it. The attempt to prescribe them, has led to nothing but blood shed and virulence. It is a matter over which Congress has no control. The constitution of the United States leaves to each State to decide who shall be voters. By any attenuation of the naturalization laws, Congress can only ef- feet the right of foreigners to hold office. That is a matter which would leave to the people at the ballot box. This is not fit subject on which to form a national party. As oufState council has ignored the Catholic test, need not further discuss that point.
 This letter is already extended to a greater length then I had intended will only add, that in my opinion, this is no time for distract ing and dividing the south, on immaterial, out side and impracticable issues. The only par ty that can now pretend to national existence is the democratic party. If they shall stand by us in the next Congress, as they did in the last, the country may yet be saved If, however, they shall desert us, and northern majority shall attempt to trample on our rights, in viola tion of the constitution, the principles adopted by the democratic party at Baltimore, that Gin cases of dangerous and palpable violations of the constitution by Congress, each State has the right to judge of the infraction and of the mode and measure of redress" will be a shield under the protection of which we will find safety
 trust that I need not say to those who know me as we'll and have known me as long as you, that the secrets of the order will be most sacredly kept by me- In dissolving my connection with you, let me assure you that do so with the kindest feelings and sincerest wishes for your prosperity and happiness Nothing but the most solemn convictions that my duty to myself and my country required it could have induced me to the course I have persued. doubt not, that if you come to like conclusions, you will pursue like course.
 remain very truly,
 Yours, forever,
 ROBERT BALLARD