Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-09-17
word. of Truth and wisdom.

words Of Truth and wisdom. 9
We make the following extracts from asletter res
Gently written to some friends in New Orleans by
the Hon. John Slidell, United States Senator from
Louisiana. Mr. Sdell is one of the ablest and most
eminent statesmen of the country, and what he says
is entitled to much weight:
at is now universally conceded that the presiden-
tial contest is purely one between the Democratic
and abolition candidates. The recent elections in
North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, have dem
onstrated that Mr.. Fillmore cannot possibly carry
no longer doubtful The noble stand taken by two
of the most decided Wings in the Union, Senators
Pratt and Pierce, by Reverdy johnson and host
of other Wing leaders, nsures the vote of Maryland
In Delaware the adhesion of Senator Clayton, the
acknowledged chief of the American party of that
State renders success certain. In majority of
the States where slavery does not exist there will
he no Fillmore electoral ticket and where one has
been nominated it is not pretended, even by his
most sanguine adherents, that it has the remotest
chance of success, except in New York. They hope
that the vote of that State, if neither Buchanan
Fremont have majority of the whole number of
electoral votes may perhaps present him to the
House of Representatives. ! have conversed with
many intelligent gentlemen of all parties from New
York, and have not yet met with one who consid-
ers the election of the Fillmore ticket there any
thing more than bare possibility. But admitting
its success, and that neither Buchanan Fremont
have an absolute majority of all the electoral votes,
can any sane man pretend that either of the two
great contending parties will abandon their candi-
date to unite on ono who bears the endorsement of
but single State? Concede, however, that such
be the case-suppose him to be chosen President
and what will then be our position? have no dis
position to mpugn in the slightest degree the patri
otsm of Willard Fillmore. believe that if he should
be chosen President he would enter upon his high
duties with sincere desire to administer the gov
eminent in conformity with the principles of the con-
stitution but he and all his most intimate friends
and counselors consider the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise not only as unwse and imprudent, but
violative of solemn and binding compact. "ltis
to use his own language in a recent speech at Ro'
chester, "the Pandora's box from which have is
sued all the political evils that now act the coun-
try, leaving scarcely hope behind" This being
it, and more emphaticay so not to veto bill con.
tanning such provision. The South is unanimous.
" opposed its re-estabshment. If not restored,
it would be subject of constant agitation during
his presidential term and if restored, would newt
ably lead to dissolution of the Union. l repeat
that believe Mr.. Fillmore to be honest man and
a lover of the Union but his present position, and
all his antecedents show that the South cannot rely
upon him unrescrvedy for the preservation of their
constitutional rights. He was of mature age when
elected member Of the House of Representatives.
During his entire service there of six eight years,
he invariably voted against the South, and with
northern abolitionsts on every question. The linn
its of this letter will not permit me to quote the
journals for the proof of this assertion but refer
you to a pamphlet lately published entitled 1.-The
Agitation of S!avery-who Commenced and who can
End It; Buchanan and Fillmore Compared from the
Record" in which the whole record Of Buchanan
and Fillmore on the slavery question is given, from
which it conclusively appears that the former has
always been the consistent friend and steady sup
porter of our constitutional rights, while the latter
was for many years one of our most uncompromi-
sing and bitter enemies. l merely mention these
things to show that Buchanan, as compared with
Fillmore, would be the safer President for the South,
and were they the only candidates would be entitled
to its unanimous vote. But that is not the issue;
it lies entirely between Buchanan and Fremont
Every cast for Fillmore do not mean in the
electoral colleges but before the people-impairs
our moral strength. We should present an undivi-
ded front; should act man. OF Mr.. Bu-
chanan's election entertain doubt; but if it be
carried by small majority, and there be any ap-
pearance of division at the South shall at best
but have truce for four years that expired, the
contest would be renewed with increased violence.
If, as hope and believe, our victory be complete
and overwhelming, shall have peace and tram
guilty for longer period. How long it will be l
will not pretend to say but we must not deude our
selves with the idea that the spirit of anaticsm and
abOlitionsm will be forever crushed it is too deep
ly implanted in many States ever to be eradicated.
Massachusetts, and Vermont, at least, will always be
ready to renew the war against us, and they will
find but too many sympathizers in every free
State. But. while thus confident of the sue
of our ticket, We should not shrink from con-
tcmplating the possible contingency of the election
of Fremont, and should prepare ourselves for such
a result. No one can value more highly than do
the innumerable advantages and blessings of the
Union; but it must be Union under the constitu-
tion-the Union of States, equally sovereign, with
equal participation in every right and privilege. 1t
is but within the last two years that have permit
ted myself to think of the possibility of its dssolu
looked at it but in the distant future. Now it pre-.
sents itself as a question which we may be called
to decide, in all its dread reality, in few short
months. Should Fremont be elected, shall be sat
isfed that majority of the people of the free States
entertain towards feelings that render the idea of
living with them on terms of equality hopeless
The issues presented by his nomination, the antece
dents of those who brought him forward, the opin-
ions and purposes avowed by every speaker at every
meeting of his party, such that southern man
would dare to incur the infamy and odium of accep
ting office under him. The whole machinery of gov
eminent in the southern States must be stopped un-
less northern men can be found bold enough to come
among US and undertake the collection of the reve
nue. and the execution of the laws of a government
from which we shall be practically excluded Each
aggression rights, if submitted to, will lead
to new and more aggravated attacks, and we shall,
after protracted struggle, at last be obliged to
choose between the alternatives of unqualified vas
salage or separation But in such a struggle, not
only will the proud spirit that now anmates have
been impaired, but we will have lost allies that an
earlier, open resistance would have rallied to our
support. [ do not hesitate to declare that if FIRE.
mont be elected the Union cannot and ought not to
be preserved. What particular course should be
T