Washington telegraph., 1856-09-03
a Calm, Patriotic and Manly Letter.

unequivocally in favor of Dir. FILLMORE.
! Gov. HUNT, as our readers are probably
aware, is an old line Wing, and has never
! had the least sympathy for the American
party proper. His letter, therefore, is the
spontaneous testimony of an old line Wing.
and it contains words of wisdom and patri-
otism worthy of the better days of the Re
public, and worthy of being listened to by
every genuine lover of his country wher-
ever he may live We cannot give the
whole letter, but the following will fully
bear out what we haze said, and will. we
are certain, be perused by our readers with
pleasure The letter is addressed to the
Hon. JAMES A. HAMILTON:
intending no disparagement of the per-
sonal merits of any candidate, am impel-
led by clear sense of duty to the country
to give my vote to Mr. Fillmore | ac-
cept him on national and conservative
grounds, retaining all my independence.
yielding no Whig principle, and without
protesting any adhesion or allegiance to
the party which nominates him. If our
opinions do not accord on all points, pre-
fer him as the candidate whose political
II.
Having sustained him for elevated trusts
on several occasions, am prepared to try
him again in the present crisis.
Not a representative of extreme views,
who would regard nearly half the States
as enemies and aliens; or political stIa-
teglst. who would create or strengthen =
party by keeping the North and South in
never-ending controversy; but on the con-
trary, & statesman OF, calm temper, wise
Judgment and honest firmness-a man i'm
bued with a genuine national spirit. who
can be relied on to cultivate friendly SEN
timents between the sections by proper
respect for the rights of each, and due
observance Of the federative principles up
on which our political compact was form
ed. Above all, We require at the present
juncture an Executive who viii enforce the
laws with firm hand, everywhere through
out the land, Kansas not excepted To
this end it seems desirable to have man
toward whom reasonable. people in both
sections can look with some confidence in
his justice and impartiality.
In regard to the foreign and domestic
policy OF the Government, our views have
ever been substantially the same. I viii
vote for him because he is a man of mode
ration, and not an ultraist. He stands
midway between the violent agitators In
both extremes | believe him to be COY
crned by an honest desire to render even
handed justice to both sections, according
to the Constitution, and to keep the peace
between the Free States and the Slave
States, without subjecting either to dis
honor or humiliation. 1t is no objection
to him, in my opinion, that he is supported
by portion of the Southern people who
did not approve the repeal of the Missouri
compact, and whose views are rational and
conciliatory on the slavery question for /
still maintain that there are people South
of the Chesapeake who are worthy to be
called fellow-citizens, and who are dispos-
ed to respect the rights and feelings of the
Free States. What sort of an Executive
does the country need in the present pos
ture of affairs?
Mr. Fillmore has given proof that he isca-
pable OF executing the law with energy and
resolution. In discharge of the oath which
requires the President to see that the laws
are executed, he enforced unpopular laws
in each section, against powerful excite
ment and resistance. If he were now at
the head of affairs, who believes that so
many outrages could have occurred, or
that the prevailing disorders would not be
promptly redressed? His election would
be favorable to domestic peace and tran
guilty. 1t would be fair warning to
border ruffians and filibusters to stay at
home, and attend to their own business.
The fact that he is opposed by extremists
on both sides. is calculated to commend
him to the conservative class as the best
choice that can be made under existing
circumstances. 1t is an expressive tribute
to his moderation that many Of his assail-
ants have found it expedient to say they
really aim at nothing more than to put the
slavery question where he left it at the
close of his official term. | will vote for
him the more cheerfully, because at the
time when free speech in favor of concord
and forbearance is denounced as high
misdemeanor, he has had the moral cour-
age to utter bold words of warning and ex-
postulation, in the FACE of strong popu-
lar tempest | am aware of the objection
that is made to Mr. Fillmore on the ques-
ton of availability. We are urged not to
vote for him because he cannot be elected.
If we were ambitious TO ride upon pop
ular wave, or display our sagacity by join
ing the strongest side, perhaps this view
of the case might be decisive. But l am
not seeking to discover where the majority
may be found. Fortunately for our. self
respect, you and | must direct our course
by very different, and more elevated con-
siderations. We must endeavor to discern
the path of duty, and pursue it regardless
of consequences for which we are not res
ponsible. With me the only questions are
what ought to be done; what is truly best
for the country in the present condition of
affairs, and by which alternative can we
mostly contribute to control violence, cor
rect abuses, and revive a healthy national
spirit?