The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-05
LETTER TO ALBERT PIKE.

things on the platform committee Of the American party
June g. 1855 read with pleasure and pride your letter
TO the American party South until towards the close and
recognised clear exposition Of the views of almost all OF
the southern members the 18th section-I might say
ALL although there those who were willing
the Missouri Compromise before the 18th section passed
If you remember belonged the few who attended that
convention who claimed TO be democrats and
there few Others, together with myself who were
taught to believe that 1t was not Uhg trick who were
shocked to hear nine-enhs of that convention denounce
President Pierce and his administration the Nebraska
question, &e-al OF which administrative action my
most hearty approval Ste-rghs democrat Ii looks
little singular that democrat, could have gone
into such concern and take great shame myself for
having allowed mysefto be gued but very best
friends democrats Of the right stamp thought sent
TO with asseveraons that il not wing trick, and
to help out they toled in along with friend Of mine
the btterest freeater alive and to whom
they talked the Matte question and Catholicism We
went in under the belief that there to be disturb
of the present relation Of things but that great
seroape party be formed TO kill of the demagogues
who courted foreign favor by Offering l60 Of land to
toll the abolition foreign into the Northwest Territory,
and prevent the horrors consequent upon the results
prophesed by Mr. Zoicoer of Tennessee scared
nearly to death and afraid the Dutch had taken Ho
land' Well thu wing trick my friend Captain
VIM A. Slaughter, Of Noxubee county Miss, and myself
in and the first thing that presented itself
old dyed-in-the-woo federast presidents vice
president gentleman Of the Clay school, We looked then
at the list and occasionally found democrats name
home (eleven miles in the country dissatisfied
with what had done; but my confidence in my friends
induced to 60 delegate to New Orleans. G., to
keep secret the fact of nominating State ticket
Well State ticket don't to much and being will
ling to travel went and found about the proper
ton of wings and democrats there J. being of the few,
Il H.
and, Captain you kno0 the proportion there. If there
was another in that council who heartily approved
the message and ALL of Mr. Pierce do
Der have heard him say the contrary, every
spoke when that subject with vituperaon and bill
lingsgs te You remember when proposed my friends
to withdraw when the Louisiana delegation rejected
and induced remain and the 18th section
determining to vote with that party which the
national after development What the conouct Of the
few friends of the North? Lyons Squres who by the
WAS willing in feeling to abandon the 18th sectun-I al
ways thought he too ussy to be what thought
IN Freeman OF Pa and Deshler, of n J-you remem-
Der their promises of conservasmand their friends ADAM
doned them and in State council North the 18th sec
adopted without putting in the repeal OF the Kansas bill
immediately withdrew when also discovered the northern
of course by the effect Of the eternal
ycorrect principle Of strict construction OF the constitu-
ton-stood up like squareoed at-footed democrats and
bra we'd the horrors political retirement Now or must
be apparent to all that the only formidable opposition the
black republicans have is the democratic party Then Why
when you the reesoers have the control of your party
or the one happy to you withdraw FROM do you
not do you said The southern democrats neither
stand on the platform support the candidate But see
you don't intend TO; but why did you ask the question
and answer you did 2-"S Shall we merge into the
democratic party? |, for one, say No. / had rather
have heard thousands of ordinary say No than
you There are two men | anxious to see in
our national councils at Washingon-yoursef and
Colonel ]. b. Cobb, of Mississippi C., advocating
correct constitutional principles according to strict
construction Of that instrument Let ask you
why do you cling to the name Of whig? You say you
was alwaysa wing ergo you must always oppose the dem
ocrac party. You had well said or there is much
reason In ny always miserable sinner; ergo must
always give Christianity the best fight about Of the
leaders OF forlorn hope Now has not the demo-
cratic triumph been complete Why offer factous
opposition TO the truth, or to party which has done
all Of the great things achieved by legislation in
this country need not enumerae everybody knows it.
once felt imagine you to feel was boy
Enthusiastically wild and mad friend and admirer Of Mr.
Clay; when they abandoned him had excuse, and
came out like honest to advocate the principle
had examined twenty-oneyesrold man. and believed
In most heartily and have been democrat OF the nation
al cast since, until my unfortunate seduction into
know nohiugsm.
I will now quote TO you what think quite appro-
pirate your case from the writing Of Col A. K Nc
Cluug OF Mississippi In address TO the wings OF Mis-
ssspp Said be To the wings you should have said the
southern Americans The whg party give up that
question. The whg Il say southern) party national
party determined 10 protect the South in her constitutional
rights have great stake in the country. Is party
powerful 10 numbers in talent 10 wealth, and character
and il is their duty attempt exercise voice in
the laws which govern their persons and their property
II utterly unworthy Of them to give up their political
rights ostracise themselves, from puerls vanity Of
worthless consistency II be that tins obstinate
senseess adhesion TO opinion for conssreucys sake In
spite of all motive the contrary Is sufficiently
general to have much weight Determination Is high
quaty-thorough complete, and perfect determination.
One Of the highest and rares nothing supcrvey great
or good be accomplished without IT, But there
be end to attain and possible Of attainment and
means commensurate with that end 10 dignity conduct
with the need of determined ercron; the importance Of
the end and the right Of the make the difference
| between the fool and the hero. When the obiec,
Is hopeless, or the effort futile, the gross
~ inadequate the struggle Is ridiculous instead Of be-
ing grand 1t proyokss laughter not admiration Now,
to prolong this bard struggle with the certainty Of
tnued defeat forever strikes the empties Of all fol-
lies II is obstinate certainly but has not the true dignity
OF determination wanted you to know that aid not
stay In The TRar, though gned still TO act with the
county and State American party until after the election
Ii for the good faith owed them for their generous
confidence in giving high position in their councils
(no what their otiUt) also voted for Col Cobb
for Congress lie is true all questions now be-