The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-09-20
LETTER OF TIE HON. CHARLES J.
JENKINS, OLD LINE WIG.

readers anu TIC VIC ciicT
of the Hon. CHARLES j. JENKINS to DR.. WIZ
LIS WiIrLNGlIAM, upon the Presidential qucs-
ton. Now that the country is agitatcd to
its centre, by II great issue of fearful magnitude
one which involves the most sacred const-
tutional rights of the slavchoding States, ana
threatens the existence of the Union-lt Is
peculiarly appropriate that patriotic men, OF
craftsmanship and influence, should speak ont
for their preservation. The long pno,c scr SCI.
vices of Mr.. JENKINS, his acknowledged ann,
ties, disntcrcsted patriotism, loltlnesS ana
nuritv of character, added to the universal
esteem in which as a man and citizen, he has
ever been held by his fellow citizens Of all par
ties, rive no ordinary weight to his opinions
in fearful crisis like the present. Differing
with him as we do in some Of the views put
forth in this letter, we feel no disposition to
mar. with criticism, the qualification which
our readers will generally experience in its
pcrusal.
ArGrsrA, GA, 2sth August 1856.
Mn Dear Sir: Your letter requesting my
"opinion in writing upon the claims Of the
candidates now before the country for the
Presidency, with the privilege of using it as
YOU mny wish,' is before me- AID although
Withdrawn from the political arena, ! cannot
decline compliance with your request.
These claims must be considered relatively,
in reference TO the state Of the country, and
the political circumstances surrounding the
candidates scvcrally.
1t is proper to begin with survey Of the
field of American politics, rs at this moment
presented There is but single exciting
question now before the American people,
viz: a proposition TO repeal that feature OF the
act organizing the Territories of Kansas nd
Nebraska, which expressly abrogatcs the Mis-
souri, restriction, and 10 restore that rcStric-
ton. This is the pending issue though there
can he no doubt that success in it, would Ell
courage is authors to introduce other meas
urcs of repeal until all advantage resulting TO
the South from the Compromise of 1870 shall
have been swept away. The absence from
the contest of other questions, makes il dis
,uctly sectional, and icarfulIy perilous TO the
Union.
Now for the array Of parties, and remark.
that Won are invited 10 make this survey from
u poin, entirely without the lines of any and
all of ,hcni certainly not, for N"i reason,
ineligible.
First then we see party proStitutinr the
,imehonorcd name 'Repnblicnn," banded To-
gcthcr in one section of the country, for the
avowcd purpose of crsnding against the rights
and institutions of another section. holding the
Affirmative Of the above stated issue; II party
equally sectional in its aims and It's orgnniza
tion; employing for the purpose of agitation
the combined agencies of the hustngS, the
press, and the pul pit. all sustained by the cor
rping influence of money, drawn without
stint. from the well filled and open Golfers o
tributary mlionarics II presents rs its can
,lidate Mr. Fremont, famous only for bold adj
ventures in exploration of onr Western wild'
and snowy moumans-a fit instrument in the
hands of the desperate faction who have com
United their black banner TO his firm grasp
! cannot enlarge upon the dement's OF thi'
party or of their candidate, nor indeed, in Thu
latitude can it he necessary | will only ado
tina; it is formidable, as well as its strength, rs
in its desperate daring. Al men here proper
Is estimate its chnrnctcr-lcw, very few right
Is apprcrate its power The southern lcl
who thinks it contemplate weak, and upon
that opinion prcdcates his course in this con
test, will find, when too late, that he has hug
red TO his bosom n fatal dcllsion. II not th'
first, it will undoubtedly prove itself the Sccon'
power in the struggle: whether it shall be first
or second, will depend mainly upon the South
We turn now to an array in another part o
the field. The American party somewhat thu
senior of the Republican, has been avowcdl,
organized for the purpose of reforming on
naturalization laws so as to secure clectually
to Americans the power to rule America
The object is good one, and when pursued
by legitimate means, without being made pri
mary to others more important and more cXi
gent, will trust, claim the favorable consid
Grafton of the whole people. Now, however
that question is scarcely named in the canvass
and it were well to let this measure of reform
rest, until the escape of the Republic from it
present peril is effected. This party, although
not sectional, is certainly of doubtful national
ty, for the purpose of resisting the prescn
aggression upon the rights and interest of TIL
South. The doubt is prcdicatcd upon tn
express repeal by their national council, il
February, 1885, of the twelfth section OF tn
platform or declaration of principles, made i
June, 1855, and which gave to the South a
ample guaranty of their cooperation. 1t
sometimes said that paper guarantees are uttel
ly valueless. They have certainly proven S
in coma instances and for the nr0ympnt "