The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-13
LETTER FROM GEN. WIN. 0. BUTLER.
GARaOILrOs, (Kyql July "a, 1856.

GARRoLLToE, (Kyq) July "a, 1856.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept Of your letter. inviting to address democratic
meeting to BIO holden at Jeersontown Kentucky on the
26th inst and regret extremely that the condition OF
health present is not only such to prevent from
complying with your request but unfit for writing
you such letter the occasion would to call for in
reply Whether shall at any time, be able to take an
active part in the presidential campaign is extremely
doubtful am the less, however, that account
soemnIy impressed with the controlling influence it is to
exercise the country for veal for woe as it may
suit There is now practically but great issue before
the country The slave question in its various bearings,
like the rod Of the Jewish High Priest has swallowed up
all Others.
On that question: and in the very face of the constu-
tion the black republicans have taken their stand and
thrown down their gage of battle to all gansayers The
democratic party has accepted the issue and taken up the
gage.
The evil is upon u.s. and must be met and overcome
victory is not what have to contend for that
would only lead to new and fercer struggles. What we
require and what may achieve If the South ia true TO
herself is such victory will leave behind it memory
and warning be misunderstood There are fortu-
nae but sides Of the question: and no neutral ground
ue that Is not for us is against u.s. The democratic party
can and will array under its banner voters, both
North and South against this common enemy than oil
others combined, twice-told.
That party has therefore, properly assumed the It's
leadership and in conjunction with portion OF the od-ne
wings has presented its the Hon. james
Buchanan of the old Keystone State and the Hon. John o.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky. know them WELL and con-
graduate the country their nomination They want no
euogy of mine 1t is enough to say that they both
highly gifted highly gentlemen of stainless
reputation and true steel to the South the slave
question in all its bearings Mr. Buchanan is veteran
statesman of the very first grade For than thirty
years he has enjoyed the best opportunities of acquiring
that knowledge peculiarly necessary to accomplished
American President which he has employed to the best
advantage Of Mr. Breckenridge scarcely trust my
self to speak We brother soldiers in Mexico where
intimacy and friendship sprung up between not
usual with differing SO much as we do in point OF
age 1t is therefore, without surprise though with much
pleasure that have Witnessed his rapid advance in pub
lie estimation. The compliment paid him by the Hon.
Pierre Soule is alike chaste and just
''He is not beyond the age of bodness,
But has anticipated that of wisdom"
With such candidates we can and will succeed not
withstanding the Hon. Willard Fillmore protesting to be
equally national and equally true to the South in the
field the nominee of that portion of the American party
not merged into black repubcansm Of this gentleman
is my intention to say but little at present His polt-
cal antecedens before the world and will be closely
scanned Why he has suffered himself to be put forward
at such crisis is not for to inquire his right to do
beyond question, and with his motives have nothing
to do The effect however of his being candidate should
anything important result from it, must be to prevent Mr.
Buchanans before the electoral college and throw
the election into the House of Representatives which has
recently chosen blackrepubican presiding officer and
where it but fair presume that Mr. Fillmore will have
quite little prospect of he has before the
people, but where it is barely possible that black
publican may be struggled into the presidential chair
The South has too much at stake and trust is quite too
gacous to risk these contingencies which may be raught
with great evil without higher nducement or more
certain equivalent for such risk than any likely to be
offered
In conclusion gentlemen be pleased TO accept my thanks
for your kind and courteous letter. with the oil
my very high regard. am, &c,
w. o. BUTLER
Messrs Wn ]. HEADY, JOHN DouP JAS. II. BULLrrr.