New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-16
THE QUESTION or THE DAY
LETTER FROM THE HON. S. D. INGHAM.

| LETTER FROM THE HON. ). d. lNGHAM.
TREs1os, Oc,- I, 1856.
TIE HoS. joins LAPoRTE-My Dear Sr You may
have noticed that am again to some extent in public
view. After so long retirement from political affairs,
It may seem proper for me TO make explanation OF this
20 nv personal friends In determining to abstain
from mippng in political life it not intended to
avoid public declaration of opinion in any, and especi-
av in extreme exgences Of public affairs; and an coca
son has now arisen, which, in my judgment, emnenty
calls for the exeton ofthe feblest well the ableSt
efforts ! have always been decidedly opposed to
the aggression Of the ultra AbotiOns on the South
and fondly hoped that the measures Of 1870 were
final settlement of the Slavery question. But the scene
| is now changed. In an evil hour we had placed an
incompetent and rcsolue man at the head OF the Gov
eminent who readily yielded his power INTO the hands
ono Secretary of War who was known to he sece'-
sionst unless the Slave States could have absolute
dominion; and have been forced to decide whether
the whole public domain ought to be kept open for set
Element by freemen who live by their own honest la )0r
or shall be devoted TO the exclusive possession OF those
who live mainly by raising and selling slaves.
The principles involved appeared 10 me sufficient TO
determine my judgment, aside from the immense Ma
tonal interests at stake. To illustrate these, let us sup
pose TO contain 30 millions OF under cul
tivation its contents exceed 10 millions of acres this
would give 100000 farms of 100 each. These
owned and cultivated by family of six persons would
support population OF three millans employed IN az
ricslure alone exclusive of those engaged III mechsn
cal and other employments-supplleda rs reenen would
be with churches schools and all the other institutions
necessary the development Of human intellect and
the advancement of human happiness. Contrast this
with the condition of Virginia where Slavery has run
its cOurse-and take Gov. Wises description of Viz
giDia, viz:
"You have relied sore the sinsl power Of agriculture
and agricultural Your patches outshne the
Your your only OF wealth has scare the
bosom mother earth Instead OF hav 10 feed cattle on
thousand hills you hare had 20 chase the stump tailed ser
yOUoh The edg6pdichs siH9ie beeste1t The
prse condition Of Thing. has existed long in Virginia
The landlord has skinned the tenant and tenant has skinned
the land until all have grown poor together
But the vehement charge is that we would exclude
VirginiaDs and others of the South from Kansas.
Nothing can be more untrue. Have not Nrginians
and North CarOnisns &c. settled in great numbers in
Ohio and become thrifty farmers 50 IT would be IN
Kansas il would become place of happy refuge for the
most suffering class of the white laborers of the South
who if settled there, would he much interested IN
the exclusion of Slavery other immigrants can be.
The laundering clamo making about the rights of
the South TO take their slave property INTO the lcrrt0
RIGS is got up by those who want market for their
saves-nOt by those who want to cultivate the land
II would require some strong logic to prove that such
operators have constitutional or conventional right
to the exclusive possession Of the whole public domain
| saw elclusire because the Free labOrer never
prosper where Slavery exists.
Such are my views, and they are confirmed by the
Democratic principles have always cherished. am
too old to follow tyrants banner because il has the
word Democracy painted OF it.
But | have given you long letter, when had IN
tended a short one. | shall be pleased To md that
you agree with me; but whether or not 1t will make
no difference in the sincerity of the respect and esteem
of Your unchangble friend 5. ID. lNGHAN.
p. ST. have Just passed my 18th year-am confined
entirely TO my room and can only write on slate
having an amanuensis to copy that my correspond
ence must be very limited. Sd. |.