Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1856-02-16
Letter of Gen. Chambers in Regard 70 the
American Party.
To he Editors Of he .State Un.,tfr,


GENTLEMEN ] observe in the published
proceedings Of the late convention Of the Amer
lean party, that my name appeared as a mem.
Der OF the committee of plitform. was not
a member of that convention, not having re-
ceived authority from any quarter whatever 10
take a seat in that very intelligent and highly
respectable body. | do not approve of the
practice that has too much prevailed in our
State, by which gentlemen have assumed 10
represent districts and counties, without hav-
ing been elected by the people for such pur-
pose. This is a dangerous abuse, which ought
To be discountennnced. It's tendency is to en-
able Il few designing political hacks to tram
mel and controI the people in that free choice
which should always be exc rcised in our cleo
tions
regret that an impression has been made
upon my mind, aud | think il has become gem
eral among the people, BY the action of the
American party NJ Austin this winter, that il
has placed at lis head a remarkable individual,
who has forfeited the confidence of the South
by his action in connection with the great ques-
tion Of slavery. In times like the present,
the betrayal of a public trust by Il Southron
in regard to the peculiar institutions OF the
South, and the constitutions by which they
are protected, must incur not only the cxecra-
ton Of the whole South, but the contempt OF
northern abolitionism itself. The American
party Of Texas will find it utterly impossible
TO paint the bronzed cheeks of that faded po-
litIcol coquette with fancy coIors bright enough
TO win the admiration of any considerable por-
tons Of our broad and glorious Union. How
vigorous and ample the youthful
shoulders of that party may be, it cannot car
~ upon them that dead mass of swollen putrid
ity. 1t would crush the party to the earth
Let the party cast from its already CALLED
the offensive burden. 1t can never
again be galvanized even into spasmodic life.
Ii already stinks in the %nostrils Of the nation.
| endorse fully the doctrines upon the slave
cry question in the late message of franklin
Pierce to the Congress of the United States
II is the ablest aud most lucid production which
has emana;ed from he Presidential chair for
the American people.
At present do not give an unqualified ad-
hcsion to either of the political parties of Tex.
as, in the attitude they now hold towards each
other. Each is adorned with men of high
and eminent ability. Each has pro-
claimed principles and sentiments breathing a
lofty patriotism. And in the approaching con-
test we thus have n guarantee thar when
Greek meet Greek in the tug of war;" the
butchers axe of political slang will be entirely
cast away, and the keener and more polished
weapons of a dignified logic and exalted elo-
quence, which some of the respective cham
pions know well how to WELD, will at once en-
tighten the people, warm them into a patriotic
and elevate the character of our
State.
! shall probably cooperate in the approach
ing campaign with the party pursuinga course
| may consider the soundest and safest
in regard 10 the momentuous questions affect
ing the institutions of the South, upon which,
| conceive. may depend the future integrity
and perpetuity, of our gloriots Union.
To the many friends that it is my good for
tune to number in both the parties who have
from time to time during the past year called
upon me from various quarters, either lndiyid-
uaIly or collectively, for a full and public e.
preston of nv opinions upon the great p,lit.
questions agi,a inc The public mind, | ten
der my sincere thanks for the honor they have
done me n surprising that my opinions might
he of any importance to the country. Hith-
erio, private duties have prevented ne from
complying with their wishes but ere long !
shall respond fully to the numerous calls that
have been made upon me, and as do not in.
tend to engage in 1.-THE wild hunt after office"
! can afford to be frank and independent in the
expression OF my opinions. Indeed, this is a
necessity of my nature. cannot "bend the
supple hinges of my knee that thrift may fol-
low fawuing." | cannot become the slave of
any party. / would rather not surrender that
freedom of thought and action demand
by the strong and irrepressible impulses of
my nature, to occupy the p%roudest position of
earthly power. In all my Investigations | have
diligently sought the triple shrine of truth,
Justice and integrity; and whenever | bend
The knee it will be before that august altar, in
=, spirit of ~si;.cere and perfect devotion; and
when | address the people, ! will deliver TO
hem the revelations which ] have there re-
j. j. CHAMBERS.
AUSTIN, Jan. Both, 1856.
There is a mysterious connection between
bo Cou,har,, Know Nothinrs and the North- /