The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-04-05
How they try to sesaw Mr.. Fillmore.
Prom tho New Orleans Zee.

Who shall Decide,--Albert Pike, a
gentleman whose liberal ideas on the
questions at issue between the North
and the South, exposed him during the
recent canvass in Louisiana. to the
imputation by the Democratic press of
leaning too far towards che North, ha,
written an address 10 the Southern
members OF the American party, in
whish he declared his disa isiac ion 4 I
the platform adopted in Febua'y; con-
demns it as a surrender OF the most
valuable principles OF the South; re-
fuses TO sustain Mr.. Fillmore, no
from any distrust of him, but because,
if he accepts the nomination, he must
stand upon the platform; advises the
Americans of the South not to
unite with the Democratic party, as
many of their Northern allies are no
more reliable than ours and finally
winds up with recommendation to
the South Americans to call a new
Convention, establish Il proper plat
form, and nominate "a Democrat who
has been tried and always been found
true to the South and the Constitution,
at home and in the councils Of the
country Mr.. Pike is willing to take
such man unpIedged, trusting to his
American feelings and instincts to do
Justice to those who like him, are
| American-born If that should not
suit the Americans Of the South, then,
says Mr.. Pike, let us nominate candi-
dates of our own party, on our own
platform, nail our flag to the mast
head, and take our chances Of the bat
tie: satisfied with defeat, if it entails
no dishonor and no betrayal Of the
South.
So far Mr.. Pike. Now for another
sample of similar opposition from d.
ametrically different views. Judge,
Alfred Conklng-the warm personal
friend of Mr.. Fillmore--the man who
bound over the Jerry rescuers at SYRIA
cuse, for a violation Of the provisions
OF the Fugitive Slave Law, and who
was subsequently appointed Minister
to Mexico, has written letter to John
A. King, disappearing Mr.. FilImore's
nomination, and endorsing the cllarac-
ter and aims ofthe Black Republican
party. Judge Conkling takes the po-
sition that the Wing party is dead;
that the Democratic party, aided by
the South generally, have declared
imperative and void the solemn COM
pact of the Missouri Compromise;
that the American Convention at Phil
adelphia proclaimed principles with
respect to slavery so revolving to the
moral sentiments ofthe minority, as to
drive them from the Convention; that
this Convention placed Mr.. Fillmore
in nomination, putting him before the
country as the representative OF the
doctrines and opinions OF the slave
power--docirinos and opinions which
Judge Conkling abhors. Consequent
", this eminent legal lunctionary
finds an insuperabie objec ion 10 the
support Of Mr.. Fillmore, and is con
strained 10 link IS ,tur unc, with the
Republican, parry.
Ii appears, therefore, thar while one
prominent Soulacru cIalrn regards
the platform o he M r.can pa. y as
virtual surr,;d o. Sou hern pin
ciplcs, and declines Supporting Fill
mere, because. despite his well known
justice, and moderation, he must Stand
upon that platform, an equally prom
inent Northern citizen deliberately ac-
cuscs the American party Of fastening
upon the North policy and doctrines
fatal 70 freedom. and abnorrcnL to he
public sentiment of that section, posi-
lively refuses to vote for Fillmore in
spite OF personal admiration and re-
gard, because he must stand forth as
the represe nta,ive OF the slave power,
and concludes by the expression OF his
intention to join he Back Republic
cauS.
Now. bo'h these distinguished gem
tIemen cannot be right. The Aneri
can Convention could not at the same
time abandoned the South and desc t.
ed thu North p'omul ga ed covert an
ti-slavcry doctrines. and put forth The
strongest possible southern platform.
There is a logical impossibility be-
tween the opinions OF Mr.. Pike and
those OF Judge ConkIing. This being
the case, we imagine that moderate,
sensible and rejecting people will
draw the conclusion that both are
wrong-that the platform is an hon
est, fair and satisfactory programme
that Mr.. Fillmore. if elected. will
do his duty firmly and unshrinkingly
as he did before. and that fanatics on
either side are the only ones likely to
find in him either extreme freesoil or
pro-slavery proclivities.