The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-01
.WAsnIsoros, june 20, 1883

81 w WA6HIN0rok June ZJ, 1898
MY DsAn SK 1t has been deemed advisable by a
number Of gsemen lately here from different quarters
OF the Union, opposed to the present administration, to
open correspondence with prominent individuals In
various States whose general sentiments accord With
theirs in order to interchange opinions learn their views
AZ to the reorganization parties ascertain what public
sentiment their respective localities in reference to
sedise "a b parsnet In the contest for the presiden
cy In 1862 and 70 draw out aud to give expression
that sentiment through the channels of the press.
They Of opinion that without giving NATIONALITY
to the opposition party, by whatever name It may be
called though the term UNIoN Party is deemed appro-
pirate lit will be idle to think of defeating the party now
in power in 1850 and that such nationality cannot be
given to 1t If its candidate shall be an ultra sectional
man Such man could only receive the support of the
distinctive organization to which he has belonged and
1t clear that such nomination would drive the demo-
cratic party into unanimy, whereby democratic Pres
dent would be elected by larger majority than
Mr.. Buchanan obtained
The questions may suggest themselves to you as they
have to U.S. can NATIONAL party be formed Of sufficient
strength to wrest the government from the corrupt and
reckless party in power and if 3d. by what
It is confidently believed that the first question may be
answered in the affirmative that large majority of the
people are opposed to that party and that is
only needed to insure victory But how this be brought
abouti Answer: by uniting in support of a man in
whose character principles and abilities the whole
tion can reposc confidence; who has strong hold upon
the hearts Of the people who Is neither charged with
nor suspected OF sEcrIoNALIsMa statesman of the old
school, of elevated and conservative views high sense
national honor, and who will be ready to render
handed Justice to other nations prompt to exact 1t
from thems 1t may be asked upon what splatorm" is
such party to stand If any platform is necessary
1t Is believed that the Crttenden amendment will be
found broad enough for the whole body Of the nation to
stand upon. But after all the public character OF the
candidate for the presidency his principles, public
vices, patriotism and Abilities better platform
than any that could be manufactured for the occasion
The people voted for General WAsnNGroN because they
had confidence in him not for any political confession
OF faith, creed, promises he had made subscribed
to, which he would have scorned to do It is not the
platform, but the MAN, that the people vote for it
is the MAN, and not the platform, that inspires conf
| dcnce, and wins support. HENRY CLAY and ANDREW
jackson needed Z. platform to insure them the sup
port of their respective parties.
Undoubtedly there is growing conviction the part
of the people that the AMERICAN interest and AMERICAN
labor should receive of the fostering of the
federal government than has been bestowed them Of
late years that the bot-box must be purified and its
purity preserved that more intense NATIONAL feeling
should bc cultivated and that the immigration of foreign
panprs and criminals, who almost instantly trans
formed into voters, and by whom elections often
decided, should be prohibited But for these and other
salutlry reforms must rely wholly upon the people
themselves though candidate for the presidency in
1860 should be whose whole public affords
guarantee that in bringing about these reforms, his
cooperation would be most checriuly given
viii you do the favor to reply to this, stating how
far you in dissent from, the views have
pressed, and the suggcstons have thrown out and
also inform what is the prevailing sentiment Of the
people in your vicinity far you cogniznt OF it,
in regard to the organization of Union party sug
gestcdY
must also ask the favor Of you to send me names and
address of such prominent in your county State
will be likely to take active and part in at
tanning the object proposed, we hope you will.
am, very respectfully, yonr obedcnt servant,
N. SARGENT