Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-10-27


II might here close this letter except that infer
YOU deisre to know how far my opinion in re-
gard TO Governor Walkers condect may effect
INV course towards the Administration. What
are the precise views Of the President upon these
questions know not; await sheir develope-
ment in the regular course. But should he di'-
fer with me upon these matters, l do not see
how any practical Issue can arise between him
and those Of his friends who entertain other
opinions in regard to Governor Walkers conrSe;
I saw, do not see how any practical issue could
arise out of this matter between the President
and those who might differ with him in regard
to those things, because do not believe Tor
moment that he would aid III an attempt to re-
icct the State il Kansas should apply for adj
/ mission merely because its Convention did not
choose to submit the Constitution to the people
for ratification. Upon such a question as this,
in regard to the right Of Congress to limit the
power of the people 20 form their State C0nStl,
tuition according to their own pleasure, proy'ie,h
it be republican in its character, should tnihk
there could be no division of opinion amongst
the members of the Democratic party III any
section of the Union. There could not be, II
tl,rv remain true to what understand as their
nrCf.ceion IF faith. To establish the great
priuciplcs of the equal rights oil The States TO
The endowment of the territories OF the United
States which no act of federal legislation can
( constitutionally abridge or destroy, and Ofthe
character of their own domestic Institutions
without prejudice to their claim of admission III
I to the Union the Democratic party has submit
/ ted to losses aud sacrifices which could only
have been justified by the successful occomPIlsh-
meat of a great object. To obtnin common
ground upon which all might rally for the de-
Tense ofthe Constitution and the peace OF the
country against the enemies of both, did constr
tute such an object. And now that the position
has been conquered after SO HrduOuS struggle,
who supposes that the Democratic party would
volunteer a retrograde movement, and Tenonnce
the fruits of hard-wOn vIctoryt 10 abandon
either of these positions now, by a retrOgrHde
movement, would be an act of.Jsto de Sc in the
party, and not merely folly, but crime for
which posterity would never forgive it. For
these reasons, | do not believe that the Demo-
cratic party, or the President whom it has cho-
sen, will aid in any attempt to restrict the pow
er of the people Of Kansas, acting through their
convention to form a.constitution according to
their own pleasure, both in manner and sub
stance, provided it be republican its character.
Having now answered fully your interroGa-
tories, | need proceed no farther; but as you are
kind enough to say that you question me not
because you doubted me yourself, but to save me
from m:sconstruction by others, feel that |
oughts not to conclude without thanking you
for your generous motives To those who are
disposed to mieconrne me, have only TO say,
that it the past course of one who has served
the State in public capacity so long as have,
affords no sufficient guarantee as to his future
conduct it is idle to seek for further security in
professions of faith. My past course affords the
best evidence of my principles of public action,
and these are the tests by which, as an honest
man, am bound to judge every administration.
If, therefore, should differ from an administra-
ton because 1t dssented from these principles,
l should be blamed, if baneable at all, not for
the act of differing with President, but be-
bause of the false principles by which l am to
Judge him; so that it is by these that am to be
tried, after all. It is true, that when new ques-
tions arise, one may be fairly and properly ques-
toned as to his opinions. But what is there
new here The principles of the KanSns-Nc=
brasLa act by which Ihavc been just testing
Gov. Walkers conduct, and the right of the peo-
pie, acting through their convention, to form a
constitution of republican character, according
to their own pleasure, without prejudice to their
claim Of admission as a State in the Union, have
all been discussed heretofore, by myself and
others, far more fully than would be consistent
with the limits of this letter. Nor have ] ex-
pressed any opinion here in regrrd TO those
questions, to which Ihave not been committed
ong since. If then, repeat sentiments which
have before declared, you will excuse me, rs |
10 it in Difference to your request.
Very respectfully, and truly yours,
R. NJ. Z. HUNTER.