The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-28
BALTIMORE, Oct. IL, 1857.

10th instant in which you express your regret that your
should have been continued before the COMPRESSION
al convention of the fourth district notwithstanding
avowed inability the present time to have accepted the
nomination, and the arrangement which you had made
the immediate withdrawal of your il II should
be there presented
the friends of the constitution and the laws should deem
themselves entitled to the services of citizen in behalf
of their whom they believed still capable of making
that earnest and sincere excton which has characterized
all your opposition to the party truly in r In this
community.
Your kind feeling towards me- as expressed in your
letter. entirely recpocated and it is but justice to
myself to state that being that to receive
votes in that convention asked my friends to at
ford the opportunity of endorsing the night of its
meeting the action of that body, and pledging my sup
port to its nominee For that might have been
selected would cheerfully have performed that
duty than for yourself
You allude in your letter to those sacred rights and
noble principles for which the democratic party to-day
is contendng in the State of Maryland. From the
lest organization of the socaed American party till this
time have thrown what little of influence possessed
against the obviously irritating doctrines which it seemed
to my mind to proclaim and defend
see in recent events but the legitimate offspring of
the proscpve tenets of what least secret order
until it became strong enough to put all law and all
shame at 0lse defiance.
But there longer remains occasion for the discussion
of political differences of opinion When many of
candidates at the late mockery election to protect
themselves and their friends from insult and assault felt
compelled to withdraw from the canvass and Others less
prudent Dit has been said were completely withdrawn
by the police it will scarcely be pretended by but
chronic falfer OF truth that there has been any APP
proach to the performance of that most solemn of all acts
in any government the constituting of that sovereignty
which the people to bow down to and obey
The one only paramount question before this commu
nifty whick asksaye and reply Is Shall large
masses OF citizens be practically denied their most sacred
rights and appeal in vain to the authorities for proec
ton Differing widely as do from my Catholic fellow
belief In will
tiny the naturalization laws of land have yet this
TO say that do not desire to exercise the right of suf
age myself unless the humbest Catholic foreigner in
the land whom the constitution and the laws have
conferred that privilege, is permitted enjoy IL with
full and free security my own
do not desire to represent any community In Congress
elsewhere that shall be found dead to the generous inn
pulse of protecting prosecuted class of their feowct
zens and blind to the imminent danger that threatens
their own temporary, mob-pepaned security
If these sentiments be not only tolerated here but,
moreover speedily proclaimed the determination the
authorities to be enforced and maintained by the whole
civil and military power of the city and State then in
my humble Judgment, there must Indeed be new pill
grimages to some Maryland where there may again
be established affairs in the wilderness to civil and rel
gious liberty.
You will PARDON feel assured, the apparent intrusion
OF this subject upon you for you will bear in mind that
we are, Il were, forbidden to discuss sentiments az
the hustngs and record the convictions arising there
from at the polls shalt publish this letter and yours,
you will permit it for through the agency Of the press
wish topace before this community the grounds ON
which submit to their sufagesa at the ensuing
election
trust that from the nettle danger there viii vet be
pluoked the flower safety for all of fellow cit sens
cannot bring myself to believe that such cause this
can long appeal In vain TO that only Amer an people GnOn
10 the constitution and the laws.
With my sincere thanks for your lind wishes and your
proua expression of them at this time
remain respectfully, your obedient servant
HENRY p. BROOKS.
JoIIx KErTLEwnI, ESQ.