Washington sentinel., 1856-07-24

ter OF Mr.. William NJ. Burwel, of Virginia
1t breathes sentiments which should be cordi-
ally adopted by every southern conservative,
whose eyes are not purposely closed to the
true interests alike of his section and the
Union:
To my Constituents.
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 sup
port either the creed or the candidate of that
party at the ensuing Presidential election.
In doing so | mean no disrespect to those
who compose that party. | consider the i'm.
mediate objects of its organization vindicated.
The necessity for some reform in the laws Of
naturalization and alien suffrage is acknow-
lodged. The alleged hostility of the Ameri-
can party to particular religious persuasion
has been resolved into the indisputable princi-
pie: that no one who avows allegiance to any
law higher than the Federal and State Consti.
tutions, each within its proper jurisdiction, is
fit for political trust. The obnoxious obliga-
tion of secrecy has been abolished.
But another important agency was expected
from the American party, to which it has, re-
gret to say, proved wholly inadequate, and it
withdrawal from its councils, in my opinion,
a matter of public duty.
Regarding the question of slavery as para
mount to all others before the American peo-
pie, satisfied that the Whig party of the North
had fused with the Freesoilers, and that the
Democratic party was paralysed by its own
dissensioDs, | had, with many others, sought
in the American party love of Union, fra
ternal affection, and national pride, which
should reconcile and quiet forever the differ
ences existing among US.
The first national action of this party en-
couraged the hope that it would realize this
patriotic expectation. II announced in June,
1855, that it would maintain the existing leg
islation upon the subject of slavery as settle
ment Of the question. Under this declaration
some .thrty-three members of Congress were
elected by the American party in the Southern
States.
In February, 1856, this policy was changed.
The pledge to maintain existing legislation was
substituted by creed in which not only the
subject, but the name of slavery is carefully
ignored. The guarantee for the admission Of
new Slave States, specifically given by the
declaration of 1855, is replaced by an article
which recognizes the right of the legal citizens
of a territory "to frame their constitution "and
"social affairs in their own mode, subject only
to" -, the Wilmot Proviso, -, or "the
provisions of the Federal Constitution which
last phrase, under the Interpretation of the
dominant majority in Congress- means precisely
the same thing. With this restriction the
"pledge" ofadmisson into the Union is granted
10 the Territorial State whenever it shall shave
the requisite population for one representative
in Congress-"
At the same time, upon the same principle
of neutrality, the American party nominated
for its candidate gentleman of integrity and
patriotism, but it did not require him to saw
whether he would, if elected, veto a bill restor-
ing the Missouri restriction or repeating the
Kansas act. Those who have regarded the
pending question too important TO be left in
doubt have been informed that the nominee is
platform enough" and that his past official
acts afford sufficient assurance of his future.
Taking his signature of the Compromise of
1850, as the most prominent of these acts. we
encounter insurmountable difficulties of con.
structon. The friends of the Kansas act
contend that it is legitimate deduction from
the compromise Of of 1850, but thousands who
advocated that compromise assert that the Kan.
sas act is tiagrant violation of that measure.
If the inference that the Kansas act resulted
from the compromise is inevitable, there could
be no controversy upon the subject But there
is radical difference upon this subject, there.
fore the position ofthe American nominee upon
this question is doubtful, and those who are
disposed to support him may, without impugning
his integrity, ask his construction upon the
consistency of the Kansas act with the Com.
promise of 1850, and whether it is his purpose
to maiatain or repeal it. Until some such
declaration shall be made, the Americans of the
South are wholly without assurance against the
continued agitation of dangerous question. or
of having rights, deemed by them invaluable.
surrendered by the act of their own representa-
tlves.
The issue upon which parties have organized
for the ensuing campaign is: "Shal any more
Slave States be admitted into the Union?"
Foremost and most formidable in this con-
test stands the Black Republican party, dan
gerous compound of fanaticism and political
cupidity 1t is numerous and of powerful
resources, it is led by ambitious and sagacious
men; it intends to employ the numbers of the
North to subjugate the South and govern the
country. It's material of warfare consists in
impeaching the title of your property, defam.
ing your character and combining ihe most
despotic and awless influences in a crusade
against you. It's plan Of warfare is to cut off
the supplies and communications Of slavery. 10
invest its citadel and to send in GAG in.
scribed, assault or unconditional surren.
der"
The Democratic party has been, by force OF
circumstances, placed in direct antagonism to
this party 1t stands not only pledged but
committed beyond the power Of recantaton or
withdrawal to maintain your rights as political
equals in this Confederacy.
With my opinions, neutrality would be at
this important crisis little better than treason.
shall therefore vote for the Democratic can.
didates at the ensuing Presidential election,
because that is the only party committed to
assert the rights Of the South, and because the
opinions ayowed by that party upon the subject
OF slavery represent my own.
With these declarations il would not be
proper that should hold station which can
no longer employ TO promote the objects of
those who conferred it. / have therefore trans.
mitted to the Speaker of the House of Dele
gates, by the hands Of the Executive, my resig
ration ms a member Of that body. In doing
so, | may be allowed TO say that / act in nc.