Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-07-25
Let,rr from EsAward stnn!ey.

Tur following letter was written by Hon Ed
ward Stanley, in 1856 in reply to an invitation
to address a Republican mass meeting in Sacra-
mento.
san FRANcjsco, April I'll, 1856.
DEAR SIR Il have had the honor to receive
your letter of the l4th inst, from Sacramehto'
informing me Of the organization OF a hcpuo-
lican Party in that city, =" on the BASIS OF Tue
Pittsburgh address, and requesting me " II my
political views aud engagements viii permit to
address public meeting OF that party IN NAcFa-
mento, on the evening ct the l2th INST
NV professional engagements require all my
time and cannot without dcserYedY mourning
censurc, neglect them. This without saying
more would furnish an ample apology tor not
accepting your invitation.
1t would not be kind in me to inh,ct upon yon
an explanation of my political opinions, but
hope you will pardon me for adding few words
more.
So great has been, and continues to be. my
aversion to the conflicts Incident to public lite IN
this country and | am very little acquainted
with the platform of the several parties now eN-
listing in The United States. In three years have
not read half a dozen congressional speeches,
and with the SORROWS of lite aud the cares OF bu-
siuess | have had neither the inclination or time
to enable me to keep myself informed OF the pro
grcss of parties in this too progressive country
| have never read line Of the Pittsburgh Ad
dress and cannot OF course take part IN any pun
lie meeting at which its merits are to be Discus
sed. | presume, from general reading that II
opposes the Nebraska Bill $50 do !, thoroughly.
aud with all my heart, fear 1t has brought
nothing but trouble ON our country, without any
good to Justify the enormous wrong pcrpeliatrd
by its enactment. Thus far | am kepublI-
can, aud having been Wing, hope am
Rcpublican in the true meaning OF the word, IN
Z tlt,r all
| fear that those who have recently associated
under .hat name entertain other views which |
never entertained, aud advocate measures to
which | have always been, aud must always be
opposed
Born in a slaycholdng country raised among
Shareholders, where my revolutionary iorelalhrls
/ lived and died, though have never belonged to
/ the school which has regarded slavery as bless
lug, that should be extended over all free Ilrl-
tory-yory far from it-yct among them arc the
dearest companions Of nay childhood and the
most valued friends of my mQiurer years ana
my tongue would cicaNe to the root ot my
mouth. my right hand forget its cunning" before
| could be found standing upon platform II
snch - the caste from which declarations OF
hostility should be made against that portion OF
our country to which my iondest affections sun
cling with unabatcd force.
Though | am Incapable as ] grow oldcr-l
hope-wscr Of unchalitabe and unreasonable
opposition to the Democratic party, among whose
members are many gentlemen to whom | am
strongly attached yet cannot. | suppose be al
4 lowed if | would to enter their ranks, for the
support of the Nebraska Bill Is the open Sc
same . to their confidence and with me this is
impossible.
/ | cannot he Know Nothing for their Sc
creccs grips and passwords have an instructive
adherence. Their prescription OF all who do
not enter in darkness their midnight councils and
dark WigWams, their to severe prescription OF all
foreigners above all thcir Interference with the
free exercise OF religious opinion, have placed an
insupcIabr barrier in the way of any GO opera
ton with them, and have excited my deep and
ureconcilable hostility. do not know whether
T the Pittsburgh Address gives cuuntenauce TO any
Of their opinions or not.
/ fear you win think ! am an "Oh Fogy -
aud an impractbe one. had rather b. so cal
led, than to cndeayor to keep pace with the fast
politicians Of the present day. But Will offend
none, by obtrudng my political opinions upon
them, or give any party an opportunity OF deny
ing me any political iavols am candidate,
only for the good opinion OF good men, IA the
private walks Of life, where desire to BE- allow
ed to pursue my way.
have been. am, and shall be a Whie. and
am now nothing but Whg-a national Wing,
supporting a tariff when necessary for the pro
lection OF American labor securing National In
dependence, advocating internal improvements
by the General Government above all, the Ma
tional Railroad, without which California is a
giant with his limbs asunder, and though ] know
some Of the opinions are regarded as obsolete, |
do not entertain them with any the less sincerity
on that account
| hope you will excuse the length Of this let.
ter, aud beg you to accept my acknowledge
ments for the polite terms in which your request
was made, which, for the reasons given, have
been compelled to decline.
Very respectfully, &c,
EDWARD SrANLY,
~ ~ n r. ~, 81 -