The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-09-05


fantry guns to be used when the Company
acts rs infantry. We understand that th,
ARTILLERY and the Saco Guards have beer
called to attend q Brigade Muster which ],
to come OF at Bath on the 10th INST.
Letter from John II. Wood.
The following correspondence We hasten r
lay It before our readers: l 90 ... ,
ALFRED, August is, 1886.
HoS. JonN NJ. WooD; - 'ai'r d.
Dear Sir AT convention OF the Re.
publicans Of the lat Congressional District
in this State, held at Saco yesterday, you
were unanimously nominated as o candidate
for reelection o. member ofthc next Con
gress.
In making this Communication, as the
organ and BY the authority Of the Conven'
ton, allow me to congratulate you on THU
proof OF your constituents, and their high
appreciation Of the unwavering frmnas
and patriotic determination with which you
have sustained the principles Of the Repub
lican Purity and its measures, during the ex'
citing discussions and occurrence, Of tho
Of the session Of Congress now about 70
close, 'rr-r
With assurances Of personal regard,
am very respectfully
.r. @ Your ob't servant,
NATHAN DANE APPLETON.
WAsuIScroN, ID. c., Aug, 1856.
Hon. N. d. ApPLEroN, Alfred, Me-:
Dear &r:-Your letter OF the 18th inst.
has just been received. in which you for.
mally notify me Of my nomination rs can
didate for the representation In Congress o.
the 6rst District in Maine.
Permit me, through you, to express my
thanks to the constituency of that district
for the renewed mark Of their confidence
and, as I take 1t, their intimation OF ap
prevail of the curse have thus far pursued
With the consciousness of duty inaexibly
performed, regardless Of personal cousidsra.
tons, and having only in view the general
welfare of the country ut large, the pre-
scryaton of internal peace and the mainten'
anos Of our republican institutions In thei'
original purity, such approval rs that init
mated in your letter could not fail to b
exceedingly gratifying to me.
II Is scarcely necessary in communica
ton of this kind to advert 10 the genea
course of action pursued by Congress dur
ing the session which expired on tho 1871
inst, az from the peculiar nature Of the cir
cumstances attending Il, and the deep inter
est which hos been everywhere felt in tn
questions involved, there can scarcely be ,
voter in the district who Is not already wei
informed as TO what has been done. But |,
may not be amiss to glance for momen
ut the great principles for which We hav
been struggling 80 that tho inquiry may b
brought directly home TO every mind
Whether zee hare been right or ,ehefher 10
hare been crong.
The contest for Speaker in which the frs
nine weeks Of the session were consumed, !
undoubtedly fresh in the recollection Of all
It was indeed q prolonged trial Of tn
strength of principle, as well as Of th
strength of parties. With Us, in that con
test, the object was not so much the eleva
ton and triumph of n particular indiyidu
al, merely as an individual, but II was Ii
tho testing and triumpbof those principle
upon which we had taken our stand. and o
which We believed Mr.. Banks to b faith
full representative. We knew also that il
other respects he was cminently fitted 70
the position both by education, experience
and natural ability and Of the wisdom o
that selection our most bitter and yiolen
opponents have given us the strongest testi
nony, As our course in this matter every
where won for US tho approval Of our con
stituences ut the time, 80, at the close OF tn
session, ON reviewing its action, our oppon
ents, both in private and through the press
have been compelled TO conccde not onl,
that our choice was well made but that th
doljbcations of the House Of Representa-
tiyss have been presided over with fairnes
and ability which have meyer been surpas'
cd.
This was, as have said, trial OF tn
strength Of principle as well as Of tn
strength of parties. ... r..r.f..t
And what was that principle, and how
has It been sustained? Without Disgusting
the matter at all, It simply was trhefher N
po,cer and influence Of the Federal Gorern
meri should be exercised in the ertension o
an odious institution contrary TO The riH o
those nho created that Government.
| Pas.iig by ihs fierce coai..t winch ensued u
1850 on the adu,issloa NJ California /; passing b!
the Conpromise measures which were thea sdop,
ed, including The oliou. fugitive slave law, whlcI
was generally acqniesced IN 10y Nodtrrn men
even against their conscientious convictions 10
| the sake Of peace passing also by the TACT tina
both NJ the then great political parties IN thei
Conventions at Baltimore In 1859 re-endorset
those MEASURES aud adopted them as basis u
agreement on which lte agitation OF the slavery
question should thrncefHlh ienn.naie pnd SUI
iunber ps.,ing by the unequivocal drolaraiiou 81
The prrsrut executive 10 bis inaugural sddrrs,
that he would Use all the power and influence with
which nj. position invested him 10 resifsin any
and every effort that lnl2hi he made for the purpose
| of disturbing this settlement, we Ind that, even
mon,b. before the assembling OF tho inst ser-,ou
OF Coapres, under his administration, ibc coun'
,ry was alarmed by iniimaiions that under the
pte,cxt OF Organizing governments for territories
At that time exclusively 10 the occupation AZ saw
ages. the whole question was TO be re.opcned IN.
der the pecious plea ofihe "righisoi popular "
Saus,ter Sovereignty ~ and scarcely had the 6r.i
Coovre,. under the present administration been
orysuiz~d l,eiUe the base aiienpt to rpeal the
Missouri Compromise was made. II seas made
and, afier hard bIt ffliiless contest on tho pan
OF The few hoass, Sorhera men 81 thai time 10
Congress, ihit sacred compact was repealed, and
that repeal was promptly sanctioned by the Pres.
Lirut. or the obvious motives which led 10 the
introduction 9th measure II Is not now my
pusp,ss 70 speak. They were universally known
al the time, add iynIy iaewS 20 fer ~ human
actions can 10 truthful indication Of human mo-
lives. TIE rrsult We oil know. The voice Of
popular indignation rose louder than The blast Of
The hurricane, and almost every pariicipsior In
that foul deed was politically swept swsy.-
Party landmarks were obIiierated, and the loud
and esn,ss' demand that tight and justice should
prevail was heard 10 every corner OF The land and
among every shade Of party. This declaration by
he public voice was succeeded by corresponding
pubic action and every Eastern, Northern snd
Western State ai the next following election, sent
TO Congress Q majority Of iis members each
pledged To exert himself 10 the Isst in support Of
The right and 10 drnuneiaiion Of The wrong. Oh
the manner in which our own State spoke on that
occasion II 10 surely unnecessary 10 lay worS.
Five-ixihs nj our population 10 The mo.i emphatic
manner pronounced their Judgment; and even
the other SIKH would have doae likewise had
they been In full possession Of oil the facts Of The
case.
II this hrief recapitulaiion OF facts We have
both . statement Of the principle and m nlusIrs
ton Of lie operation. The executive, foe some
uroo<e fuo ma ttes ,whufl nidrd bv the iudusoce