The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-03-23
From Tie New York E,press.


the 4th instant The sentiments expressed
will receive the hearty endorsement of the
conservative men OF the country.
Letter from. Tie Hon. pIiiiaas A. Graham.
Ilillsborough, N. C. Feb. IS. 1859
GENTLEMEN: regret that my absence
from home aud indispensable engagements
have thus long delayed the acknowledgment
Of your letter of the eth instant, transmit
ting resolution Of the Wing General Com
mitteeof the city Of New York, and request
ing my views on the present aspect of polit-
ical affairs. | still more regret the want OF
leisure at present which would enable me to
respond to this request in BETTING man
| ner.
You do me but justice, gentlemen, in
CHASING me with the "Qld Guard" which
was wont TO be marshalled under the lead Of
Clay and Webster, and which. in every time
of public emergency and national danger,
has approved itself the life guard Of the Con-
stitution and Constitutional Union which,
whether in or out OF power, in party sense,
has ever been loyal TO the Government, and
relied upon to extricate it from difficulties
and save il from the antagonisms Of factions
and sections. Most heartily 40 | concur
with your committee that there should be an
end of agitation on the subject of slavery.
In the Constitution formed by our fathers
! they mutually agreed to stipulations on this
topic, which in the first half century Of the
Republic were rarely misunderstood. Upon
successive engagements of our borders and
the institution Of new States and Territories,
it gave rise to divisions of the most serious
character. These, upon two memorable &C.
casions, were composed under the auspices
Of Henry Clay and. il the settlements thus
made were not approved by all, they we're
acquiesced in, and regarded as final By the
great majority of the American people.
Without designing to censure those enter.
tanning and acting on different opinion, |
more than doubt the wisdom Of re-opening
this controversy since the compromise OF
1880. 1t has been productive Of no results
but violent, factious, and disgraceful con.
4 tensions in the distant Territories, aud sec
tional alienation among the States. II ex-
cited hopes in the South and fears in the
North which have been alike disappointed
and never can be realized. The law oil soil
and climate turns out to be nearly the same
\ in effect with the law penned By Clay
4 Practically, therefore, there il no longer an
exciting cause Of discussion on this yexsd
/ question, and agitation must die out unless
new fuel shall be found for the flame. The
4 political organization which may aspire 10
guide the future destinics Of the nation mu Il
consequently appeal to public sentiment on
topics more expansive and general than OPP.
position to or zeal for the establishment Of
slavery in Territory which must soon be-
come State and regulate its own institu-
tons. The period is passed when this issue,
like the rod of Aaron, can be permitted to
swallow up all questions of national policy.
to obstruct, as for years it has done. the at
tention OF Congress 10 the national interests,
and to prescribe as unworthy Of trust all who
do not subscribe to the tests Of political or
thodoxy set up By extremists on either side.
In view Of this approaching calm in the
public mind, cannot but regard the Quick
ened appetite for the acquisition of Cuba,
and the very extraordinary measures recon-
mended TO obtain it, as a new party device,
having for its object to introduce new ties,
Of party fealty, instead of that which is about
to expire. 1t should ever be borne in mind
that the extension Of their territories was not
one Of the objects for which the people Of the
United States entered into the Federal In
ion. 1t is true that in the progress pf our
history magnificent domains have been &C
quired, adding greatly TO the national conye.
nienee and power, but always Of territories
contiguous to our own, on the main land Of
the continent, by treaties made with the as
sent OF the prior sovereign for reasonable
equivalent, or BY conquest in war. These,
however, have been but incidents in our
course, and /" to form more perfect union
establish justice, increase domestic tran.
guilty, provide for the common defence,
promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings Of liberty 10 ourselves and our pos.
terity still remain the great purposes for
which the Government was established.
do not know that, under all circumstances. |
should say with Mr.. Calhoun that 20 d.
Cuba i forbidden fruit" The time NAV
come when il NAV be expcdient and necessa.
rs to enlarge our boundaries, and even "a
aanex islands Of the sea. But let all such
events be the results Of time and necessity,
, and effected without injustice Or loss 81 ma.
tional character. The administration u SIR
Fillmore promptly refused the overture 81
England and France for a stipulation tia;
,. neither Of the parties would acquire this isl.
! and, and az the same time declared that hi,
! United States would never consent 10 IL,
transfer from Spain 10 any other European
Power; aud the enforcement Of this declar
: alton - al that our interest or honor requires
! The present limits Of the United states com
? prehead an empire of sufficient magnitud,
: 10 satisfy every jus, aspiration for nationa
grandeur, and care should be taken neither
70 sully our good name, nor to burden th,
!, present population Of the country with exac
! tl0ns II hundreds 81 millions 10 purchas,
! more lands, 70 lie end that we nav boas
a more extended jOmihi0us. And when ",
know Of certainty that Cuba is not for sale
and that propositions fyr its purchase ar,
offensive % IL proprie,ors, il il not only idle
E but mischieyous 10 appropriate moneys 70
}. its purchase, and threaten seizure in hi
9 event OF refusal.
!. Wing policy. gentlemen. Is founded 81 d
i ons idea. which may form the, subject Of TEN
al -