The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-09-16
The Fifth District of New jersey.


The Fifth District of New jersey.
Judge Fink of New Jersey, having
been attacked in the The Neacark Journal.
that paper having mutilated his reply, We
here give it a place, complete:
70 tie Editor of tie MeacaTk Eren@
ing JOarnaL.'
DEAR SIR: My attention has been
called to an article in Jour paper of the
2sth inst. containing an extract from the
Hudson County Democrat, and Jour COM
ment upon it, in which you manifest your
particular Interest in ms character, as
dem ccrat and an honorable gentleman"
and ad. ise me to set myself rig hit with my
fellow democrats in regard to supporting
or opposing the re election Of the Hon.
David r. Wortendy Ike. My character as
gentleman must be its own defence-I
certainly shall not defend it until i'm
peacbed. which has not yet been done.
My fidelity to the time-honored prin-
ciples of the true Democratic party of the
country cannot, if understand those
principles, be successfully sssailed; and
because of my fidelity to those principles
and my attachment to that party | have
disapproved, and still disapproye, the
course OF the Hon jacob r. Worte nd yke
in the last session of Congress on the mo-
mentous and only national issue involved
10 the coming contest. And that there
may be no misunderstanding about my
position-in other words, that | may
set myself right" in the minds of the
good and true men with whom it has
been my pleasure to act in the democrat
ic party--I will say that the course of
the Administration Gu which it was step
by step sustained by that-gentleuan), in
its endeavor to force the Lecompton Con-
-tltution on the patriotic people of Kan
sas. has beer from the beginning regard
ed by me as uDdcn oeratic, tyranical and
suicidal If successful. as, thank God it
has not been, it would in my humble O.
piuion. have proved beyond comparison
the most deadly blow ever inflicted in
this country upon the great fundamental
principle of popular sovereignty in its
largest seuse-the right of the people to
govern themselves.
If this was a mere question of e4pedi-
eucy, an humble member Of the great
Democratic party like myself who dis
>euted from a messure of the Admins
tratoD, might we'll tie content to hold bis
peace But it is not question of expe-
diency. 1t is the que-tion whether Fed
eral power concentrated st Washington,
limited 10y the Constitution, for the pro-
lection OF the rights of the people of all
the States and Territories OF the Union,
may be exerted to deprive portion Of
the people of the inaliehablc right of self
government. expressly ) guaranteed by that
Constitution, under which it rests.
On this question the people must and
will be heard, for it involves their dear
est rights.
As to your statement that have "ten-
dered my PANE TO various opposition gen.
tlemen" as candidate for Congress,
beg leave to say that you have been mis-
informed, but have said and still believe
a. perhaps you do, that union upon an
anti Lecompton Democrat of those in the
district opposed to the course of Mr. Wor-
tend kc, would defeat him by 5000 votes.
1t has been my pleasure oil NY life TO
act with the Democratic party, and as a
Democrat claim the right OF iudepeud-
ent judgment upon all putlic measures;
because | exercise that right, you should
not denounce me; the denial OF it is quite
consistent with the attempt to force the
Leeompton Constitution upon the people
of Kansas against their will, but in ny
Judgment it is equally subSersivc Of oHs
rights as American citizens.
| may be permitted to add, that having
been honored by the people of this State
with a seat in the Cincinnati Convention,
aud havirg co-operated there with my
fellow Democrats from every section Of
Union iu nominating Mr.. Buchanan, and
presenting bis name to the country as the
exponent of the principle OF popular SOW
.erisuty. to which | still adhere. claim
the tight to vindieate that principle, even
against his exposition.
Very respectfully, yoor obedient servant,
CHARLES FINK.
JefSy Cay, Aug. 81, 1s5s.