Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-07-25
From the Richmond Enquirer.


wrote so ably in support of the principles of theI
know nothing party, attested by his vigorous
conduct of the Washington Organ. Since he ceased
to be its editor, that paper has been the stupdest
sheet in America. Mr.. Burwel was author of the
famous 18th section. In every way he caressed
and honored by the order to his hearts content. But
he is constrained to leave at last His reputation of
Fillmore and his support of Buchanan are vndlcate
by the hg hest considerations of patriotic duty. We
commend his address to the i'm partial judgment of
the Southern people:
Having been elected to the Legislature upon the
nomination of the American party it is with much
regret that find it inconsistent with my principles
of political action to support either the creed or the
| candidate of that party at the coming Presidential
election.
| In doing so mean no disrespect to those who
compose that party. | consider the immediate objects
of the organization indicated The necessity for some
reform in the laws of naturalization and alien suffrage
IS acknowledged. The aledged hostility of the Ameri-
can party to particular religious persuasion has
been resolved into the indsputable principle, that no
no one who avows allegiance to any law higher than
the Federal and State Constitutions each within its
proper jurisdiction is fit for political trust The OBJ
noxious obligation of secrecy has been abolished.
But another important agency was expected from
the American party to which it has, regret to say
proved wholly inadequate and il is this dsappont-
ment which has rendered MY withdrawal from its
councils, in my opinion matter of public duty
| Regarding the question OF slavery paramount
that the wing party of the north had fused with the
Freesolles, and that The democratic patty para
ysed ~ lis own discussions, had with many others,
sought IN the American party love of Union, fra
ternaI affection, and national PRIDE which should
reconcile and quiet forever the differences existing
amongst us.
Ihe first national action Of this party encouraged
the hope that it would realize this patriotic expecta
ton. 1t announced in June. 1855, that ii would
maintain the existing legislation upon the subject of
| & Of thac Ind hic
declaration some thirty three nbers of Congress
were elected by the American party in the Southern
States
! In February 1885, this policy was changed The
pledge TO maintain existing legislation was subst
tuted by creed in which not only the subject but
Inc name OF slavery is carefully ignored. The guar
anee tor the admission Of Slave States speci
caly given by the declaration of 1855 is replaced by
an article which recognizes the right of the legal cit
lzens Of territory 10 frame their own constitution
and laws and regulate their own domestic and So
cal affairs in their own mode, subject only to'-the
Nllmo' Piovso-or the ''proyision of the Federal
Constitution which last phrase under the interpre-
talon OF the dominant majority in Congress, means
precisely the same thing With this restriction the
pledge of admission into the Union is granted to
the Territorial State Whenev it shall g have the
qulste population for representative in Congress-.
At the same time, upon The principles of neu-
tralty, the American party nominated for its candi
d"te gentleman OF Integrity and patriotism, but it
did not require him TO say whether he would if cleo
ed veto bill restoring the Missouri restriction
repeating the Kansas act Those who have regarded
the pending question too important be left in doubt
have been Informed that the nominee is " Platform
enough, and that his past official acts afford sufi-
cient assurances OF his future Taking his signature
! OF the Compromise of 1890, as the most prominent
OF these acts, encounter nsurmountahle difficult
! ties of construction. The friends Of the Kansas act
contend that it is legitimate deduction from The
compromise of 1850, but thousands who advocated
that compromise assert that the Kansas &C, is fla
grant violation of that measure. If the inference
. hat the Kansas act resulted from the compromise is
| inevitable, there could be controversy upon the
subject. But there is radical difference upon this
subject therefore the position of the American nom-
nee upon this question is doubtful, and those who
disposed to support him may, without impugning his
integrity, ask his construction upon the consistency
of the Kansas act with the Compromise of $780, and
whether ii is his purpose 10 maintain repeal it.
/ Until some such declaration shall be made, the
Americans of the South wholly without assurance
against The continued agitation of dangerous ques-
ton, of having rights, deemed by them invaluable,
surrendered by the act of their own representative
| TIE issue upon which parties have organized for
the ensuing campaign is: {; Shall any more slave
states he admitted into the Union ~
Foremost and most oi idahle in this contest stands
the Black Republican party dangerous compound
of anacism and political cupidy 1t is numerous
and of powerful resources it is led by ambitious and
sagaciouS it intends to employ the numbers of
the North TO subJugate the South and govern the
country Its material OF warfare consists in i'm
peachlng the title of your property defaming your
character and combining the most despotc and law
less influences in a crusade against you It's plans
of warfare is to cut Oft the supplies and commuDca
tons of slavery, to invest its CITADEL and to send in
a flag inscribed, Assault unconditional surren
der"
The Democratic PARTY has been, by force of Cir
cumsances placed in direct antagonism to this party
1t stands not only pledged, but committed, beyond
the power Of recantation or withdrawal TO maintain
your rights as political equals in this conederacy
With my opinions, neutrality would be- at this i'm.
portant crisis, little better than treason | shall
therefore vote for he democratic candidates at The
ensuing Presidential election, because that is the only
party committed 10 the rights of the South,
and because the opinions avowed by that party upon
the sui ject of slavery represent my own.
With these declarations, it would not be proper
that | should hold station which | can no longer
employ TO promote the objects of those who conferred
it, | have, therefore, transmitted to the Speaker of
the House of Delegates, by the hands of the Execu-
tive, my resignation as member of that body In
doing so, ] may be allowed to say that act in ac-
cordance with my own sense of propriety, and not
upon the complaint or instgation of others | have
endeavored 10 discharge my representative duties with
hdeIlty have advocated every legislative measure
which tended to restore the credit promote the DOW
er employ the people, OF protect the lights of our be-
loved Commonwealth. | resign my post because its
incidental obliga ions will not permit me to pursue
the same obligations efficiently as could wish
have no intention of Becoming candidate for the
vacancy thus occasoIe ed. | wish to create no issue
You have generously sustained me, without any off
those elements influences which strengthen public
men l am not unyrateful, would |, for any
reward OF personal advancement, encourage disvis.
ions amongst YOU. For, believe me- this is no time