The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-10-28
Letter of Hon. Archibald Dixon in reply
to Hon. II. S. Foote.
LOUISVILLE, October I. 1858.

10 non. n. ,. E00Ce.
LOUISVILLE, October !, 1858.
To tie Hon. II S. E00te
Ny DEAR SIR However unexpected
was such a communication as that which
you have done the honor to send me, yet,
as it relates to a matter concerning which
my views have been ever of clear and
decided character, and as the questions
propounded by you stand connected with
public interests dear to every patriot. |
do not feel at liberty to refuse prompt
and explicit response to them. shall
not answer them specifically, but make
such general statements of facts and o.
pipions as hope will meet your wishes.
have watched the progress of the SEN
atorial contest in Illinois with the most
intense solicitude, and shall continue to
do SO until its result shall be ade known.
| consider the success of Mr.. Douglas es-
sential alike to the peace of the Union
and the safety Of the South; and the un-
blushing and profigaie attempt to break
him down by the corrupt and uDprinci-
pied use of Federal Official patronage and
executive influence, | regard as eninent-
ly disgrace:ul to all concerned therein. -
Mr.. Donglas, in bis present position, is,
in my judgment, entitled to the sympathy
of every honest patriot in the land, and
| venture to predict that the time will
speedily cone when an overw helming a.
jority of honest and enlightened freemeD
iu the slaveholding States of the South
will recognise him as their bold and fear
less champion, and the eloquent vindicator
of their right and safety. There are
points which have arisen in the contest
between Messrs. Douglas and Lincoln in
relation to which | do not entirely con.
cur with either of them; but, in reference
to everything deemed by me at all M ate
rial, my views are in perfect harmony
With those expressed by the former. The
exposition made by Judge Douglas last
winter, in the national Senate, (ADd yet
adhered to by him. of the true intent
and meaning Of the Kansas Nebraska act
has always received my hearty sanction;
and for reasons unnecessary to be here
particularized, | condemn, as strongly as
be can himself do, the Presidential message
of last winter 10 relation to the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, and that the nonstrous
Legislative abortion known as the English
bill. The changeful AMI vscillating eourse
pursued on this subject by Mr.. Buchanan
and bis Cabinet has awakened my strong.
est disgust; aud hold the insidious inter.
medliug which they are now practising in
Illinois to be vicious aud censurable in
the extreme, supplying precedent, which
II hereafter respected and acted on, will
be inevitably fatal to everything which is
valuable in our civil institutions.
have heretofore freely denounced.
and shall hereafter take the liberty of de.
uoupciDg in language of uumistakable
plainness, the conduct of the Aministra
ton for some months past, in their efforts
TO defeat and put down a meritorious and
accomplished statesman by such means
as have never been heretofore. to the
same extent at least, rcsorted to. because
be was not willing to prostitute his own
conscience IN obedience to Executive be.
hests: and | have charged, as shall con.
tinue to charge, Mr. Buchanan aud bis
constitutional advisers with having shown
themselves alike unfaithful to the best in
terests of the Southern States of the Con.
iederacy, and to the vital principles of
popular freedom everyEhere. | charge
them with having trampled under foot all
the essential principles of republican gov.
ernment in the scheme projected by them
for the establishment of written CoDsti.
tuition over portion of the American
people, over whom it was to be supreme
10 its operation, which So called Coastitu-
Stltution not only did not em body the will
OF the people among whom it was to bear
control. but to which every reasonable
man on the continent kHew them to be |
utterly opposed. accuse this Admins.
tration OF having attempted to revive the
main distinguishing feature of the Missou-
ri Compromise; for it is most evident to
my mind that if the Federal Goyerpmcnt
with its coufessed!y limited powers. has
authority virtually to ordaiu State Con.
stltutioB shall in terms provide for the es.
taoiishnent and maintenance of slavery.
the sane Government can also. at i.
pleasure, cause to be promulg ated and put
IN execution, Constitution prohibiting
be introduction or continued existence
If slavery altogether; and. by doing SO,
o render the act repeating the Missouri
estriction altogether nall and ineffective.
hold this Administration responsible
or daring to proclaim, in grave official |
Iocument, marked with the fullest DELHI. I
ration, the dangerous. beretical, and tru. .
antI-rePublican doctrine, that a bare t