The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-10-30

ways disapproved of the passage Of the Kan
sas- Nebraska act, l am induced to ask how
far the use of your name, in the manner re-
ferred to, was authorized by youl
An answer is desired at your earliest con-
veniencc, in order that any erroneous Impress
ions that may have gone abroad may be cor
rected.
am, very truly. yours. &c,
LEWIS r. SMITH
GrSEsfo oct. 9Th, 1855.
LEWIS = SmrH. Esq:
DEAR Sta Your favor of the Cth inst
was handed me this morning. In reply to
your inquiry a3 to how far the use Of my
name as delegate to the Republican State
Convention was authorized, have to remark
that If | had been at home at the time, |
should have declined serving as Delegate,
as had then, and have since, declined taking
part in any political organization preparatory
to the approaching election.
Bat tha gepslemsa who preseu.el my
name to the County Convention, doubtless
deemed themselves warranted in so doing,
from my repeated declaration that | regard
the question, in its various forms, Of the cx-
tension of slavery, as paramount to all Others
now before the American people; rs vastly
more important than any which has arisen
since the adoption of the Federal Constitu-
ticn, AM question which must, at the next
Presidential Election, he met and decided
for all time to come.
Those are my deliberate convictions; and
painful rs it is to differ with those old political
associates with whom | have fought in the
ranks the hard fought battles Of the Radical
| Democracy of New York, | cannot consent
to be led by those whom they have raised to
power and renown, into position on this
question in any respect equyocal. Such L
am compelled to regard as the position taken
by the two last Conventions of the Democra-
CIV Of New York.
The resolutions adopted by the last Com
vention, declaring fixed opposition TO the
extension Of slavery, was in its terms broad
and full enough, but when we reflect that
the distinguished gentleman who offered the
resolution, and his associates, expressed a
willingness if not desire, TO pass over this
whole subject in silence; when we see the
same Convention which adopted it approving
the acts of an Administration, whose latest
measure had been to remove a Governor from
Kansas who would not succumb TO the Missouri
invaders, and appoint in his place creature
who would; when we see the office-hoders
assembling in New York and denouncing this
part of the Platform; when we sec men like
Governor Seymour, raised to eminence by
the radical democracy of New York, taking
positions conflicting directly with this resolu-
ton; when we sec the tools of the govern
ment attempting to read the Albany Atlas
out of the party, because its incorruptible
Editor supported the declarations of the Con-
vention in their intent and meaning, we are
reluctantly constrained to believe. that the
resolution referred to, was hollow and mean
ingless, il not false and deceptive.
/ have said that it was painful to differ
with old political associates. | refer TO politi-
cal leaders. Where the Radical Democracy
of New York is upon this question, have no
manner of doubt The men who served un-
der such leaders as Silas Wright, Michael
Hoffman and Samuel Young, arc not accus-
toned TO be swayed by the allurements of
office, inundated by the threats, or mislei
by the petty sophistry of placemcn. Nor
have any doubt where those great men
would be found if now living. They would
stand by the great ordinance of Jefferson, a.
| galllSt inc cNtcnSlon oi DENtIN anu ti''
would look with amazement upon the proccc-
dings Of Convention claiming to represent
the true Democracy of New York, assembled
in the heart ofthe State, amidst three millions
Of freemen, and amidst the imperishsblc AMI
wonderful achievements Of free labor, who
yet hesitated TO avow that they preferred
freedom to slavery, and did not dare to de-
nounce those who basely betrayed it.
appreciate all the dangers Of sectional
party; but let the responsibility rest with
those who have forced upon us sectional
Issue. Kansas was free by solemn compact
tho South has seized it. New Mexico was
free-:he South is overrupniDg it. Northern
! California is frce--Slavery is grasping at il,
and when and where in those vast regions
South of us, as extensive as the settled por-
ton Of the United Statos thinly pcoplcd,
with almos. no governmcut and practically
open to colonization, shall we arrest the
march of this fatal and blasting curse, if not