The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-30
The Political Contests or tho United
States.
SUMMER Hill, Va, Aug. %, 1853.


SUMMER HIlI, Va, Aug. %, 1859.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Eso.,
EDToR NKw York HERALD
During twenty two years Of uninterrupted residence In
this country was in the habit Of scanning attcntvey the
political issues of the gone and existing parties but have
never taken active part in their contests not from any
Indifference as to my rights as naturazed citizen, bu
solely because in my opinion the Presidential and Con-
gressona elections then carried and contested
upon the Interpretation of the United States constitution
All the contests between the wings and democrats wheh
they related to the internal foreign policy
whether to the national bank, protective tariff
free commerce, internal improvements, had no
other component. One party, In expoundng the
powers of the general government adhered strictly
to tho letter of the constitution the other sought their
enlargement the consequential deductions from its pro-
Visions but each separately and both together, always
stood upon the platform of the constitution and
voked to their respective assistance II obvious
me that the triumph of either party simply the gain
of avalabeness in which felt such interest could
outbalance duties attached to my character of political
exile from my native land, which advised from pru
dental motives suspend the exercise Of the rights of
naturazed citizen of this great republic when the policy
Of neither Of its parties could do harm to the stability
the Union, affect inurously in any way the resultn
thcrefrom blessings which Providence, in the example
the Unon vouchsafed future generations the human
family.
The Presidential election of 1885, and the approaching
in 1850, present to my view entirely different aspects
The politicians, both from the free and slavehoding
States, may have good reasons to talk loud write much
and debate gravey about the extension restriction of
slavery in the Territories Yet it is mmateral for the
stability of the Union whether Congress will pass rules
restricting slavery from the Territories the black re-
publcans desire and urge, whether il will adjust the
principle OF non Intervention and pass rule whatever
which 10 be the stand taken by the leading
democrats Let either Of these measures be adopted,
still the ultimate destiny of the Territories will depend
exclusively upon the will OF their respective inhabitants
people when they become strong enough to apply for
admission into the Union; for Congress has no power
to prohibit them TO come into the Union with without
slavery institutions The only power which the constitution
gives to Congress, when this time comes secure to
them "a republican form of government" All other
speculative deductions drawn or cnuring from the adop
ton OF the other rule, to wit the rule of action
the rule of action OF Congress- OF whatever character
prudential import they be to the views Of the
tending parties, in my opinion of little consequence
in the approaching Presidential contest neither the
present action non action of Congress this subject
constitutional as may be either and will cramp the
interests of the future The future will provide for itself
by its action under the constitution, If 1t only finds
in existence for this is the rock upon which alone the
Union and the present as well as the future interests Of
But am startled and trembe from fear for the safety
of these greatest human blessings he constitution and
the Unon when look upon the banner Of the black re-
publicans and read on its floating folds, seriously
scribed:-
celebration in all matters both social and religious
Whoever has read and studied the constitution must
consider as compact between the States upon the
stipulatons and provisions of which alone this Union
stands In this compact there checks and balances
mutually stipulated for and agreed upon by the original
States which formed this Union, requiring in certain
majority of twothrds in Congress- and in cases of
amendment of the constitution three fourths of the
States The object Of these checks is solely to
the people of each State free and independent
joyment of the powers not granted to the gene
raj government, which makes il evident that upon
balances alone rests the whole political fabric of
this government and Union. Whatever the opponents
may say to the contrary, destroy these checks
lances Of the constitution by introducing he simple
jory principle in government" and the Union gone
gone by the much talked of threatened sepa
ration Of the South, but because the simple majority
will destroy those checks and balances which
nc sres and sages Of the Revolution committed the
guardianship of their postery the safety anchor for
the stormy and perious shores of the Union And when
this there will be nothing the Union to stand
upon
and religious, as is inscribed the banner OF the
bpt Il Is evidently seducbe soea iocraon ~
all matters Is an evil its indecences too
obvious to need specification, and ! am not
constitution ii to everybody the enlarged
shape form. And it looks to me to be suspicious de-
sign to make religious federation the object of the Presi
dental against the democratic party which
yet disgraced its banner with religious moderation But
who offers this seductive social religious federation
in all matters? Has the native and the
Know Nothngsm, with all other smaller of the kin
bred stamp, been fused in and absorbed by the re-
publican partyi It's banner with the inscription of such
broad social and religious liberation in all matters,
most if not all Of those ntolerant and hostile
Catholics and foregnerswrecks of isms Of all kinds In
vew them of opinion as to the example of the simple
majority principle in government and because of this
tolerant ingredient beng component part OF the black
republican party would not and could join it with
clear conscience of doing duty towards this adopt
ed country
most valuable and kindest friends-friends in whose in
tegry, candor, ability honor and character have
bounded confidence. Many Of them the foremost
in helping when pleaded before the American pub
lie the claims of my native land to their sympathes and
assistance retain for them all grateful regards but pre-
sent to you fellow naturaized citizens my unbiased
opinion the questions which have been propounded to
me. G. TOCHMAN