The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-10
THE PRESENT POLITICAL oRIsIs-LETTER or
HON. JOHN SLIDELL.

the reader 10 the suboined letter Of Hon. John Sd
louisiana Mr.. Sde writes seldom, and writes n.
WELL that when he appears before the public he is aw
certain to command the earnest attention Of political M
and the respectful consideration Of political oppoD
The letter was written II viii be perceived in
Of Mr. SIidells inability attend the great demOc,
mass meeting which was held at Baton Rouge on The A
Instant and TO which he had been invited and the oD
unity is embraced by Mr. s. 10 present the present chi
in the political affairs of the country in such clear Don
erful and truthful as cannot fail to produce
and lasting impression upon all who have the intelpe
to see and comprehend the fearful ordeal through wb
beloved Union is passing The plain, direct
emphatic language employed by Mr. s. win have IL
greater weight from the fact that while he has ever m
prominent in contending for the constitutional rights
the South he has been second 10 statesman whe,A
Of the North or the South in his loyalty and atachu
to the Union;
WASHINGTON, August 10, 1856
Sin: deeply regret that il will not be in my power
join my feowcitizens Of Louisiana in the meeting c
by the democratic State central committee al Baton ROu
on the 9th September for the purpose of radng the non
nations of Buchanan and Breckenridge An extra sess
of Congress- rendered necessary by the actous course
the abolition party in the House OF Representative M
been called by the President for the 2lst instant and
spirit be manifested has heretofore charactera
the aority Of that body ii is impossible to say when
necessary public business viii be disposed of But even
my official duties do not detain here the state Of nj
health has been such for weeks past to render
certain interval Of quiet and repose essential to m
Enlistment STILL il entertained any doubt Of the I'll
umphant success of electoral ticket in November
thought that my feeble efforts in any degree nec
n in M Aera,,3
should prevent my leaving here the very day of the
ournment Of Congress- for the purpose of devong all
energies to its support and sharing with you the ag
and labor of the canvass My letters from all parts
State assure that the democracy was never more units
and active and that we shall have in every parish the c
dial cooperation of many true-heared men, who hAr
until now, been thoroughly identified with the onesguA
whig party. Such acquisitions will more than COUNTS
balance, Numerically, all the objections from ranks
disappointed oce-seekers and of those upon whose weak
ness or ignorance they have imposed while in moral fora
shall have gained UNNECESSARILY by the exchange T
is however dark shade in this otherwise agreaS
picture and allude to it most reluctantly. No true nj
triot whatever may be his political afnities can D
back but with shame and modification at the ruianu
and violence that have accompanied the last three election
in New Orleans but that of June exceeds in atroty
thing in the annals of the country except the St Bar
tragedy enacted at Louisville. All the outrages
excesses charged upon the contending parties in kan
exaggerated they have been By partisan presses
to the letter. would not combined approach in
Der or degree those perpeirated within the last year
our unoaending naturalized citizens in the metroPO
of the Southwest II those legally entitled to exercise
right Of suffrage at the late municipal election had bed
permitted peaceably to cast their votes acquaa
ed with the subject doubts that the democratic candidate
would have been elected The result of the pretended
ton to return the know-nothing candidate for may
by more than two thousand majority Will this cru
mockery, these unparalleled atrocities be repeated N
solution of this question depends fear entirely upon
action of the democratic party in New Orleans. The
perence Of the past gives little reason hope that
voters the ballotbox viii be protected by the city g
eminent TIE registry law passed at the last session
legislature removes, it is true even the shadow
the pretence which some have applauded and h
conniyed at system which has already inflicted
most fatal blow upon the character and prosperity Of U
city and which, If continued, must destroy them enrt
One might hopetha the acknowledged fact that the
parishes win give aggregate maoritiss for ticket a
y exceeding any possible adverse vote in the city
restrain the actors and abetors Of these outrages from
gratuitous repetition of them who supposes that
who have acquired and retained place and power by
worthy will not again resort to them for the pa
pose of preserving their local ascendency for the
gence of their evil passions has reliance in the
judgment good instincts of heated partisans than N
observation warrants.
II is universally conceded that the presidential c
test is purely between the democratic and aboli
candidates. The recent elections in North Caroiu
Kentucky, and Missouri have demonstrated that Mr. FIN
more cannot possibly carry solitary slave State Mar
land and Delaware no longer doubtful The nobi
stand taken by two of the most decided wings in d,
Union, Senators Pratt and Pearee by Reverdy Johnsi
and host Of other whg leaders, nsures the vote Of Mar
land. In Delaware the adhesion Of Senator Clayton 4
acknowledged chief ofthe American party of that State
ders our success certain. In a majority Of the Snii
where slavery does not exist there will be no Fillmore h
tora ticket and where one has been nominated Il Is NJ
pretended by his saugune adherents that ID
the remotest chance Of success except in New York m
hope that the vote Of that State If neither Buchanan
Fremont have majority Of the whole number Of elCctO
votes may perhaps present him the House OF Represent
atives have conversed with many intelligent gentena
Of all parties from New York. and have yet met vi
who considers the election Of the Fillmore ticket th
as anything than bare possibility But admittb
its success and that neither Buchanan nor Fremont bu
absolute majority Of all the electoral votes can AZ
pretend that either OF the two great conend
parties will abandon their candidate TO unite on one
bears the endorsement Of but single State Conced
however, that such may be the case-supposo him
be chosen Presdent--and what viii then be our p
| stion2 have no disposition to impugn In the sgb
est degree the patriotism OF Willard Fillmore | h
eve that II he should be chosen President he would snu
upon his high duties with sincere desire to admnis
the government in conformity with the principles Of
constitution but he and all his most intimate friends
councillors consider the repeal Of the Missouri CompU
mise not only unwise and imprudent but volaye Of
solemn and binding compact at Isl to use bis own Ia
guage in recent speech at Rochester "the Psndoras