Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-10-01
Resignation of Hon. John w. Foster.

The following letter, addressed by J. w.
Foster, of Monsoon, to Hon. i. G. Baker. Sec.
rotary of the Massachusetts State Council,
says the atlas, will be read with especial in.
terest. We believe the letter carries with it
evidence of the honesty of its writer, while it
gives ample reasons for resgning the high
place which he has occupied, as President of
the American organization in Massachusetts,
Those who know Mr.. Foster will need-no as
suranee of ours that he is incapable of dis
honorable action. He speaks with simplicity,
clearueas, and firmness, and will leave no
doubt in the mind of the reader of his posi-
ton. Many thousands of the party with
whom he has acted, will recognize the just
ness Of his course, and unheeding sengeless
cries and ribald accusation, will do as he has
done, and devote their best energies to the
cause of constitutional freedom. The follow
ing is Mr.. Fosters letter:
MoNsoN, 25th Sept, 1855.
Dear SRI wish you to lay before the State
Council of the American Party, my resigna.
ton as President. Be pleased, also, to com
municate the reasons which have prompted
me to take this step.
Less than a year ago, the American party
had increased so rapidly in numbers and in
huence, that it promised to be triumphant in
the next Presidential contest l had hoped
that it might prove conservative organiza-
ton, which, in the event OF its accession to
power, ould administer the government in
spirit of berality and comprehensive patriot.
ism. Upon the yexed question of slavery, l
did not anticipate a unity of opinion between
the North and the South-butI did hope that
the representatives of the two sections would
confer together in spirit of calmnoss and
Cancellation, and adopt such policy as would
leave every member of the organization free
to act according to his moral and religious
convictions. | did not expect that Southern
men would become Jealous advocates for the
restoration of the Missouri prohibition, but l
did hope, that, if a majority of the people,
through their representatives, demanded that
restoration, they would acquesce with be-
coming grace. 1 am not the advocate of Sec
tional issues am not an adherent to party
based on geographical lines. l would cheer.
fully vote, tomorrow, for Southern man for
the Presidency, but | must first be assured
that he will not interpose the veto to defeat
the deliberate will of the people, if expressed
through their representatives, against the ex-
tension OF slavery.
In June last, the representatives of the
American patty met at Philadelphia in Ma
tional Convention. With these sentiments
and these convictions, entered that Conyen-
ton, as delegate from Massachusetts, but |
soon found that the leading delegates from
the South, as a condition to their co. operation,
required specific pledges on the subject of
slavery, and declared that unless those pledges
were given, they would withdraw and form a
new organization before leaving the city.
A platform was reported, against which we
protested, both in Committee and in Conven.
ton. 1t was adopted by an almost united
South aidod INV faU douuhfoooe from In
North. AS in all great contests between the
two sections, where freedom or slavery has
been the issue, there were enough of men
from the North, eager TO become the supple
allies of the South in the accomplishment Of
their schemes. Then and there was dug the
grave of the American party, as a national or.
ganization, and the doughiaces Of New York,
Pennsylvania, and Now Jersey, were the un.
takers, who oflieiated at the funeral.
That platform required us to acquiesce in
the existing laws on the subject of slavery, as
final and conclusive; and as matter of infer
ence, to abstain fiom agtating a restoration of
the Missouri prohibition; il denied to us the
right of judging Of the qualifications for the
admission Of a new State into the Union, be-
cause its constitution does or does not prohibit
slavery il denied to us the right to prohibit
slavery in the territories, or abolish il in the
district of Columbia it sanctioned the repeal
Of the Missouri Compromise, and required us
to regard the Fugitive Slave Act as something
above ordinary acts of lcgislation-as a solemn
compact---to be considered fixed and ma
tionol policy.
To these exactions Of the slave power, the
delegates from twelve Of the Northern States,
our own among the number, refused to yield.
On the adoption Of the platform they with
drew. They had held long and earnest con-
ierencos, as to the policy to be adopted in the
event Of q rupture and believe / missato
the sentiments Of no one Of the delegates
present at these consultations, when / say
the opinion was unanimous, that it was
our duty to recommend to our respective
Councils, to place themselves in cordial and
intimate relations with those engaged in The