The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-13
w eStern Democrat.
From the RALEIGH Standard.

CHARLOTTE, n. G.


We publish below, at the instance of friend, a
letter from this distinguished gentleman, in which
he avows himself in the clearest and most emphatic
terms, a supporter of President Buchanans admin
istration. The name of the friend to whom the
letter is addressed is withheld from motives of
deGcaey.
Like every thing which emanates from Henry
W. Millers pen, this letter is clear, compact, and
powerful. He has stated the issue upon which Mr.
Buchanan's administration has staked itself, with
equal clearness and precision; and like true pa
trot, forgetting self and former political associa-
TONS he announces his determination to stand by
Mr. Buchanan and cooperate with the Democracy
in this, perhaps the last effort to protect the Con-
stitution, to shield Southern rights, and per-
petuate the Union of the States. Mr. Miller de-
serves the thanks of all true men every where for
thus rising above party, and giving his influence
and his commanding talents to the cause of the
South and of the Constitutional Union Nor Is
this any sudden movement on his part. We have
known for months, and others have known, that
he was staunch supporter Of the administration,
and that he was anxious that the South should
present undivided front in maintaining her
rights. We publish his letter with sincere pleas
ure, and we bid him welcome to the ranks which
have recently been strengthened and cheered by
the accessiOns of such men as Kerr, Osborne, Bar
ringer, Steele, Winslow, Cameron Galloway AL
be named. But we will no longer detain our
readers from the letter, which is as follows:
RALEIGH, March 10Th, 1853
DEAR SIR: hasten to answer your very kind
letter. The information given you, that | had re-
solved to sustain the Administration of Mr. Buch-
is correct. In writing to a friend a few days
since the subject, stated, in substance, that in
view of the condition of parties at the North, and
being convinced that Mr. Buchanan is a cOnserva-
tive national man-resOlvcd to maintain the Con-
stltutiOn in good fath-l am of the opinion that it
is the duty of all the national men, especially
Southern men, to sustain his administration. In
avowing this conviction, | mean no reflection on
those who may differ from me in opinion. 1t is
sufficient for me that my judgment tells me duty
to the country demands this / shall obey that
demand, whatever may be the personal conse-
quences There are times when men should rise
above mere party considerations and predictions
there questions which should absorb all mere
party issues. Such time and such questions are
now upon us. Others may not think sol do,
most sincerely; aud thus thinking, should be I'M
worthy the confidence Of any one, if | did not act
accordingly.
On all national questions, Mr. Buchanan has, so
far acted as the friends of Mr. Fillmore at the
South, or great majority of them would have de-
sired him to act, had he been elected and Mr.
Buchanan having avOwed hi, determination to
maintain the constitutional rigi,:s of the South,
and having given earnest of his sincerity bv acts
fearless and unequvocalin their character think
1t would be unwise, if not ungratefu in the people
OF the South, not to sustain him.
My thorough conviction is, that the reckless en-
croachments and diabolical purposes of northern
fanaticism will never be efectuay checked until
there is union amongst the people of the South.
There are two antagonisnls at war in this coun-
try-a tanatcal purpose to break down, destroy,
abolish the institution of slavery the one hand
and trm and uncOnquerabe resolve to protect and
defend it on the other. One side or the other
must YIELD must abandon the field of conflict, or
our Union and government cannot be perpetuated.
For as to yield, even inch, would bring disgrace
dlshonOr, ruin 10 this never submit. |
We are acting on the defensive-thcy are the ag-
gressors and it is vain to expect that the adjust
ment of the Kansas difficulties will end this conflict
The assault will be made in other way at some
other pOnt-on slavery in the District of Column
bla-on the slave trade between the States-on the |
fugitive slave law-on the threc-ffth representa-
ton in COngress-on the admission of any other
slave State in the Union They have declared |
through their leaders in Congress- that the warfare
ON slavery shall never cease until it annihila'ed
even though that warfare should end in bloodshed |
and all the horrors of servile insurrection 1t is
to check this spirit of mischief and ruin
except by the union of the whole South to sustain
that band OF gallant men at the North who have
done battle so nobly for our constitutional rights
There is but settled mott, e. purpose that gov
erns the Black Republican party, and that is the
of slavery and consequently the ruin
IF the South. [ see but one other party sufficient
y strong to defeat that purpose-and that party is
The National Democracy now rallying around the
of Mr. Buchanan, sustained by MANY
A true patriot who fought in times past under the
banner of Henry Clay. That party saved us from
the triumph of Black RepubEcanism in 1856.
None other could keep the field against it. The
dissolution of that party, especially at this time,
should regard national calamity 1t would,
in my humble opinion, insure the triumph of Black
Republicansm. am willing to trust the Demo-
cratic party this great question: and shall act
with 1t, by sustaining the administration of Mr.
Buchanan and those who defend and support it.
have thus briefly given you my views. |
have not time to elaborate them. I have nothing
to recommend my opinions but the sincerity ofmy
and earnest desire to do nv DUTY to
The country, and secure the prosperity and safety
Of the section that gave me birth. If you cannot
think with me, it shall not diminish the friendly
regard L have always entertained for you
l am, most truly yours, &C.,
Ii. W. MILLER.