Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-09

Of which / chesrfulIy assentet 70. As
my position appears to be somewhat misunderstood
by some Of my friends, and ! may not have ex.
pressed myself as explicitly as is desirable in these
days Of extraordinary political philanthropy, ALLOW
me to avow myself more directly and clearly
The spirit and whole basis Of the article in the
American, as understand it, Is, that as great
National party, whose direct aim and objects are
designed to promote the peace and welfare of the
entire community Of States, some with and
some without slavery, no part of its platform
should embrace that subject as a matter of dis
cussion or legislation in Congress- or out of it, It
further stated, that the whole question, terrible
and dangerous as conceive 1t to be, both imme-
dately and prospectively, should be left to the re-
gulaton OF the States and the Territories by the
people thereof, fully and freely to determine for
themselves It's duration and existence among them.
This being the case, gave the article my assent,
and meant to be understood as have above stat
ed But, will now go little further In stating
my opinions and convictions.
am well aware, TO use the language of dis
tinguished son of New York, that all who advocate
the doctrine of noninterference, who stand up for
the sovereign rights Of the States and the gusran.
tees of the constitution, must breast the fury Of
fearful storm, and be covered over with epithets
of bitterness and hate. must expect to be called
the friend of slavery extension, the apologist of
slave aggression, sold to the South" and as desir
GUS of degrading free labor. But, sir, while can
pity ignorance and human weakness, can spurn
and treat with contempt the miserable whine OF
the hypocrite or the bluster of the demago3ue.
IT'S
Providence will shape our ends
Rough hsw them as we will.
am not one of those who In these modern times
assume to be wiser or more benevolent than were
our constitutional fathers. They did not trembe
and quake because slavery had existence, but they
rose above the influences of a mock philanthropy,
and wicked philosopy and formed this Union
of equal sovereigns. They listened not to the
fearful and ominous cry Of the North the North
the South the South but taught US only those
magic words, "Mc Union" Is it to be perpetual9
that Union perhaps ordained of Heaven, and the
last hope of liberty upon earth9 Can it be sub
vertedp Can it be destroyed? Let answer.
The formation of sectional parties, If successfully
accomplished, can and will destroy it. If sec
tional President and Vice President shall be elect
ed upon an irritating sectional issue, and sectional
cabinet be formed, which now seems to be the
purpose and determination Of the free States then
will the principles of the constitution have been
subverted, and destroying faction win have arisen
upon its ruins.
No man who had the spirit of the fathers within
him would ever consent for one moment to recog-
Mise an administration brought into power upon a
Northern or Southern sectional issue--no, never
This struggle to create sectional parties is the
great and growing evil tendency of the present
day. And there are men who seek to foster and
encourage it. 1t is fearful in its contemplation,
and will be fearful in its results The men who do
this may succeed entirely, and to some extent they
have accomplished it already but in that success
they will in all probability have sealed their own
fate. God will set a mark upon them, that all may
know them. The faint of treason and perfidy will
cling to them while they live, like the poisoned
tunc of mythology. They will not be saved by
the counterfeit cry that they are merely opposed
to the extension Of slavery !" but, like the murder
Gus captain of the host the vengeance of an indig
nant and betrayed people will slay them at the
very horns of the altar.
NY course, from first to last has known no
change, and where have been, there still re-
main, the firm and devoted advocate of the consti-
tutional rights of the South. In every sense a
free agent will not consent to stand here other
wise, for believe in taking the responsibility"
Duty comes FIRST, and consequences afterwards.
intend to know whether one can resist the mis-
chieyous and licentious spirit of sectional agita-
tors and those who serve as sappers and miners of
the constitution, and yet survive. Nor would
change course so clearly demanded by every
consideration Of public duty, If kne,o was to be
overwhelmed.
1t is better that an humble individual should
perish, if in the struggle he but aropses the peo-
pie to sense of their danger. would stand upon
the watch-tower of liberty, and invoke the spirit
of my country's constitution. Like Burke, stand
not to demonstrate points Of law, but to keep down
agitation. Let the storm howl on; let the battle
ments rock il they will let faction toss and hurl
her impotent arrows of detraction and will scorn
them all, for have not taken my position without
counting the cost! If desired to count moment
airy elevation or personal eclat might have cried
the loudest among the slavery agitators, and rode
high upon the whirlwind, if could not direct the
storm. But have chosen to meet the RESPONSE
bites incident to my position, and in the faithful
discharge of duty to seek the qualification world
cannot take away. The South ask, and ask justly,
that they may be left to their sovereign rights as
co-equa States, and to such territorial rights
clearly theirs under the constitution. They do not
ask for legislation in favor of slavery or of its
extension or diffusion, but they protest against
agitation in the Federal Legislature or any legis-
lation by Congress upon the subject. In this
protest that the South right, and shall stand
hu and snstain them emma uhnt NAV 40 long aa