Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-21
rrron the Frederick CITY. (Md,) Union. |

powerful letter from the flOIl Augustus II. Ooi!cIn,
which we publish in todays paper Mr. Sellers is
one of the most talented men and beautiful speakers
in the State and has heretofore represented por-
ton of the people in the Congress oil the United
States He was originally Wing of the Henry
Clay school, and occupied a distinguished position
in its ranks during its existence, and when that
party ceased to exist, Mr.. Sellers, like MANY more
good men, partly from his hatred at that time Of the
Democratic party and partly from curiosity, entered
the Know Nothing ranks in the hope that he would
find it still better than the Democratic party; but
after three or four years connection with it. in which
time he became thoroughly familiar with the men
who composed it, and all their aims and purposes.
he has finally turned his back upon them in disgust.
and ain spite of the prejudces engendercd ny TWEEN,
into the ranks of the Democratic party, because ne
regards that party as "the only bulwark Of South
ern rights the only political organization capable OF
stemmng the tide of Northern fanaticism, and OF
supporting, in their integrity, the Constitution and
the Union:"
OvERroS, near Prince Fredericktown,l
Calvert Co., Aug. b. 1859.
Ny DEAR SIR: Yours of the LIST inst. was received
some days since, but from various causes have been
unable to answer you until now; and even now
am doubtful whether entirely disconnected from po
litcal affairs as have been for some time, and in
tended to be for tic future,) ought to give any ex
preston to opinions which, however honestly enter
tanned by me- can be of but little value to you or the
public.
You wish to know from me, a member of the
American party, whether that party in Calvert and
the adjoining lower counties OF the State on inc
Western Shore intend to respond to the action ant
recommendations of the State Council recently held
in the City of Baltimore.
Now, in the first place permit me to observe that
for some time have not considered myself mem
Der of the American party, and therefore can only
conjecture what course that party will pursue at the
approaching Fall Elections can only speak for
| myself, and that at last, is all, suppose you wish
! You know well the circumstances under winch
became united with the American party. At the
period of its formation the country was convulsed
to an extraordinary degree with that pestlent mis-
chievous subject the slavery question. Every meas
ure of public policy, foreign or domestic every
measure affecting either the commercial, the hnan-
cial the manufacturing or the agricultural interest
of the country. was subordinate tt" LAID aside ana
| forgotten. in the exactons and agitation growing
ont of this wretched remtio quesiio. was in Con-
gross at the time and can testify to the fact that the
great public concerns of the country were utterly
ignored from the moment of the introduction OF the
Kan<as-NebraSka act until it had passed both
Houses Now it was precisely at this period that
allied myself to the American party. thought
party rising in the country that appeared to
to absorb the conservative elements ct all the old
parties; and which, adopting as its leading principle,
"the preservation of the Union," 1t would pursue
such a course of conciation and harmony. i'll refer
ence to the dangerous sectional issues at that time
agtating the country, would result in the COM
pletc restoration Of peace and fatcnal concord be-
tween the North and South.
Nor did the principle of cleyatn- to office native,
in preference to foreign citizens and of extending
the period of the naturalization of Foreigners fail to
recommend itself to me. ] thought | saw in that
clause of the consultation prescribing the quaIliica
tons Of President and Vice President, and United
States Senator's and in the various State conStitu
tons prescribing the qualifications of their Govern
ors not only sufficient warrent for the adoption of
such q principle but thought saw manifest dis
trust in the minds of the trainers of those conStitu
tons, of forei IN influence and an apprehension, in
their minds of the difficulty under which foreigners
lahOred in understanding peculiar pulitcal Sy$
tenn. As to the introduction Of the wretchcd secta
rim element in the platform of the party, it is we'll
known that from the first | set my face against it,
and on all OCCASIONS used every effort in my power
. t, have it stricken out. | always thought it was
( wrong and knew it was impOlitic never in pub
lie attempted to defend it. and to the American par
ty uniformly denounced it. Equally Objectionable
to the attempted secrecy with which the pro-
! ccedings of the party Were conducted; and the
wretched tomfoolry Of signs and passwords was
| simply contemplate. have the satisfaction say
| ing never learned single one and was never but
| once IN n council aItef my allnlSSlOH
That to have Joined such a party was a very un-
| wise and unfortunate act in me, is now very clear.
! 1t was not then 1t impossible for me to
! foresee that its entire Northern wing would basey
! desert its principles, and by shameless prostitu
ton of its strength and its resources swell the ranks
! of the Abolition party. For, whatever doubt exist
ell in reference to the course of the American party
at the North previous to the Presidential election Of
! 1856 that election demonstrated to the world that
ho1 in hat n1p
roughly aholitioniZcd. | confess that after that
event l. for one considered the American party de-
funct | never nnag ned for moment that an at
tempt would be made to reSuscate it; and so firm
ly convinced was of this, that publicly declared
that, as of the American Electors, would cast
my vote for Mr.. Buchanan if the vote of Maryland
necessary to his election, rather than run the
risk of Fremont's election by submitting the choice
to the House Of Representatives.
The recent action of the state council OF Mary
land to which you have called my attention, is the
first effort that have heard of to revive the party
and what effort! You ask me if think that
action will be responded to by the American party
in this and the adjoining counties? | answer do
not think it will be, although the attempt may be
made regard the action of the state council as a
deliberate and premeditated attempt to organize an
Abolition party in this State. 1t is true this object
is not, and for obvious reason, openly avowed-bnt
the insdious. stealthy character of the proceeding
renders it more dangerous than open, manly
avowal of its Interior objects. The resolutions Of
that council propose union of all the elements Of
opposition" to the Democratic party. Now we
know there are hut two other parties in this cohn-
try-the black Republican party and the debris, or
what is left of the American party. The union Of
what elements then does this resolution Of the state
council propose, in opposition to the Democratic
party? Why simply, the union Of the black Re
publican, or Abolition party, and the american
party. That is ALL This is the plain, distinct pro-
position stripped of all the Aourshes about "uniou
of elements" &C.. and this is the first step, the
entering wedge, towards the formation of public
sentiment adverse to the institutions of the
State hostile to the interests of large portion o.
its citizens, and dangerous to the peace and harmo
-, ny of the people. know that it will be said thai
the union will be only temporary-that it is form
cd only for the attanuents Of particular object