Daily American organ., 1856-04-15

cided next November? Sam thinks the peo-
pie will take charge of the government, and
let Pierce occupy private seat and look on
Card to the Public.
AT the earnest solicitation of many of my friends.
! am induced to lay before the public the following
statement of facts in relation to the refusal of the
President to renew my commission as Justice OF
the Peace On the 2lst March, 1856, wrote a
letter to the Hon. Caleb Cushing, Attorney Gen.
eral, of which the following is copy, and placed
the same in the hands of friend to deliver to Mr.
Cushing:
WAsHNGroN, March q, 1855.
SIR; deem it my duty to address you with
reference to the position at present occupied by
myself / am now, and have been for the last
twelve years, Justice of the Peace in and for the
county OF Washington, and am proud to say that
believe ! have discharged my duty during that
period TO the entire satisfaction of the community
and, for the grounds Of that belief on my part, /
respectfully refer you to the citizens of Washing
ton generally. aa s
My commission expires on the 2Sth instant and
naturally feel some anxiety TO know whether the
same will be renewed or not can conceive of
but one reason which would induce the withhold
ing OF a renewal n is the charge of conneaion
'otH Hs American parry aa #.t r.EIara uz9s#
1t becomes me an honest man, detesting con-
cealments, that should deal plainly with you on
this point am member of the American party,
and have been twice honored by receiving at th, ir
hands elevations to positions in our city govern
ment-and, God being my helper, intend to re-
main devoted friend to the principles and pur-
poses OF the American party, which principles
humbly believe to be the purest national princi-
pie that ever characterized any political party.
my Nnns w,,. l. Il
American cause be considered crime, then am
guilty. Ii a desire to assist in forwarding a move
ment purely American dsquaify me, then am
disqualified. Il is for you sir, to determine whe-
ther the political principles of the conservators of
the peace of Washington city rspder them incom-
pctsnt to discharge their responsible duties or not
Previous administrations hare not so decided
1s l am, sir, yours, &c., 8
(signed) se JOHN L. SMITH.
Hon. CALEB CUSHING. - .E
This letter was delivered to Mr.. Cushing ON
Monday the oath, and after reading the same. Mr..
Q. said he would submit the matter to the Presi-
dent, that ne had nothing to do NTH the appoint
'nents.' On the morning of the 25th letter was
received by my friend from Mr. Cushing desiring
an interview with him in relation to the matter. AT
this interview. Mr. c. stated that there were three
points in the letter. which he desired to be sat-
ished. He had previously said he had nothing to
points on which he wished information. aoh con-
sistency, thou art jewel" AT this interview he
did not deny that he had control over the appoint
ments, but on the contrary spoke in such a man.
| ner as to convey the idea that he had all power
over them, and concluded by stating that he would
decide finally on Friday.
On Friday Mr. Cushing sent another letter to
my friend, who waited upon him. as requested, and
he then stated that he (Mr. Cushing) had laid the
communication before the President, and the Pres
ident had declined TO renew the commission In
answer TO an nterrogatory as to the probable rea-
son OF the Executive in declining the appointment
Mr.. Gushing intimated "that in view of the Dres
ent ercsted state of parties and the near approach
Of he Presidential election, he (tas President)
cons'dered n impolitic to make the appointment" /"
AND TINS is the only reason assigned for withhold
ing the appointment. oh fempora, oh mores -
To what deplorable state has our country at last
arrived The President of the United States fears
6ccd,se Of the near approach of the Presidential
election, to reappoint Washington city magis-
trate What ghost could have come up from the
charnel house, that so frightened him = If Saint
Patrick himself had arisen in bis grave clothes and
forbid the appointment, the President could not
have acted more promptly.
Mr.. Gushing, to my surprise, was willing and
even anxious, as his conversations with Mr. Lloyd
indicate, to renew my commission; but the Presi-
Gent would not be guilty Of so impolitic an act
just before the Presidential election Why 40
frightened, Mr.. President? Your party. am sure.
will not trust you longer and even if YOU could
get the nomination, what influence do you suppose
could be exerted by Washington city magistrate
against your reelection What will your Demo
cratic friends think Of you when they hear that you
refused to grant the request of your friend Cush-
ing because of the nearapproach of the Presiden-
tial elections
Why, sir, if they had had any idea of nominat-
ing you, the evidence of your inbccility in this
matter would be sure to change their purposes
Fortunately for me, as surprising as the answer
may appear, and pitful as the reasons assigned by
you are, i have one of the best witnesses to the
above facts, an accredited Democratic witness
the Hon. Caleb Cushing. Some of your Demo
cratic friends-few though you have-seem to
think there is some mistake-some misunderstand-
ing as to the reasons assigned. All have to saw
is, If you did not give the above as the reason of
your refusal, then IL becomes question of veracty
between the President of the United States and
the Attorney General; and which comes out sec
ond best In the matter is to me quite mmaterial
JOHN l.. SMITH.