The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24
CRYSTAL PALACE, July 4, 1856.


tack upon myself and party; and were it not
for the position you occupy, and the relations
heretofore existing between Us, would pass it
by with the contempt it merits. But coming.
as it does, from you, duty requires that should
say word in reply-and justice requires that
should make that reply by the channel through
which those sspersions were made.
feel hurt, that have thus to reply to one
who have ever held in the highest esteem, and
with whom have enjoyed the most amicable
relations hurt, that you should so unman your
self as to forget the moral qualities of pro-
fessor of religion, the dignity of an editor and
gentleman, as to take my weakness as a
license TO play wantonly and improperly with
my good name; to descend to low Billingsgate,
to attack the private standing of political op-
ponent If | could see anything to excuse,
extenuate, or justify such an assault, / would
gladly do it, to relieve you if possible from an
unenviable position.
But, / have passed before you for twenty
years or more-you are very well acquainted
with the " individual from this county" who
attended the Republican Convention. You
have exchanged for number Of years with
the National Era, published in the city Of
Washington, and the exponent of the views of
my party; no man has had better opportu-
nifty of knowing our views, our measures and
altogether unaccountable.
You tumble and unable together set Of
charges, lnnuendoes, and insinuations, as law.
yer would, when seeking TO evade direct issue.
by framing his words so that they might mean
this, or mean that-commit or not commit-as
1t might suit his purposes. But, your cunning
won't save you. You started out by asking a
set of questions, which you had no right to ask,
and therefore impertinent, and closed with a
set oil stammering misstatements. We Repub-
hcans take the liberty Of doing our own bust.
ness, without any regard to outside suggestions
And have the generosity to believe that the
Democratic party does the same-the Whir
and the American parties the same. And |
have also the generosity to believe that they,
In their severa! party conventions, represent
their party views, and those of nobody else.
And will add, that | am strongly of the opin-
Ion, that there were many in the Cincinnati
Convention that did not represent the opinions
of their neighborhood, county, or State.
Very well. We Republicans, then, intend
to do just as all other parties do-have our
own mode OF selecting delegates, Judge Of the
qualifications Of our own members adopt our
own platform, and choose our own leaders
This think ought to satisfy sou that did gos
represent slaveholding communities" that
did not represent the 80, 1000 shareholders. nor
any that bark at their bdding but repre-
scented some of the G74OO0 observation-disclosures,
that have no sort of interest in it. But If Won
insist upon knowing all | represented, then |
can tell you in very few words, not by com
pulsion, however, sut through courtesy, Well.
them represented old Virginia of 10. her
heroes and her statesmen. Aud Just now.
whilst my pen is resting upon the paper, a
company OF young patriots are returning from
the grove, where they have been Celebrating
i
sentiment OF the Declaration-that ave hold
these truths to be selfevident: that all men arr,
created equal; that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness, " dc. This sentiment represented.
l also represented sentiment of Washington,
In his letter to Robert Morris, he said: " | can
only say, that there is not q man living who
wishes more sincerely than do to see a plan
adopted for the abolition of it., (SiaVery y bus
there IS only one proper and effectual mode
by which 1t can be accomplished, and that Is
ny legislative authority; and this, as far as nv
suffrage will sc, shall not be wanting" And a
sentiment OF Jefferson" Indeed. trembla Tor
my country when reflect that God is iYstn A
sentiment, aiso, of Patrick Henry is life so
dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased At
the price OF chains and slaveryP forbid it, Al.
mighty God! know not what course others
may take; but as Tor me, give me liberty, or
give me death Now, sir, couple these with
the platform Of the Republican party, and Won
nave all the principles l represented there.
frlnciples that l believe TO be patriotic. and
Wit be admired and commended to the last Of
time. To our flag these principles are pinioned:
and whenever and wherever our iilustrious
leader, John Z. tremoNt, snail rise in his stir
rups, and throw thena aloft, the Republicans Of
all nations will hail it as the ensign of relief.
aud the patriot spirits from the battle-ields of
the Revolution, will cluster in its folds TO bless
1t. And
Wen sPutn every ftter. wen break every rn,,
Aud Kansas shall bloom Ike the Garden of C.od
When we plant the white banner of Freedom 1,,o,.
And cry, :" Fe the rescue, free men and Frcnoni
am aware, however, that these principles
are admired, and yet repudiated, by great
number In Virginia--for Washington is gone.
Jefferson is gone, and the spirit of liberty was
buried with them. And now the truth stands
out in bold relief, that if wo had cherished
the opinions of the fathers more, and carried
out as we should, their desires, we would not
have this day 10 mourn the shame of Kansas
And when we turn TO Virginia, we can read
The se@ light policy in her fields, read it in her
commerce, and in her population; and when
We compare her with her young daughter, the
free State of Ohio, she looks as though she was
under the auctioneers hammer-going, going,
gone.
And when my fellow-eitizens shall, bv opars-
ton Of law, rid themselves of the sha,.kles tina,
bind them; then, and not till then, will her
glory and grandeur appear.
Some peoples minds seem 10 be very much
exercised to know by &hat right went to that
Convention.
The right Of the people to pcaceably assem-
Die 10 redress grievances, believe, has never
been denied in this country. Well-what WAS
my history in connection with that Convention,
and with the days running before and after?
Was flsGseaAte Let as see On Monday.
June 9th, l walked forth among nv friends
and ieliow-eitisens in peace aud quietness. i
met with many circles OF friends, and with all
y respectful demeanor was reciprocated. And
in some of those circles had the pleasure Of
the company of the EditOr of the Tenth L.
gi0n.
On that day, YVES member of the grand
jury Ia and for the county Of Shenandoah. The
eoArt In their wisdom invested me with the
hnselled robes of official dignity" by selectin.,
me as the foreman of that grand inquest and
the States attorney told US that II was the
highest and most Important station citizen
could occupy. Whilst this court was in session.
Started sor the city of Philadelphia, to At.
ssno convention of my party, with creden-
tlals IN my pocket, signed by three gentlemen,
al least, who for responsibility, honesty, probi-
", and good demeanor, viii compare with the
Editor of the TeaIA kegiea, or any of his party.
u say this respectfully When i arrived in
Philadelphia, found there Deacea6ie and quiet
citizens. l associated with gentlemen. On
Sunday, |, with gentleman from Virgin IA.
attended Quaker meeting and thew I am
disposed to believe, are very pedceajle and