The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-21
WASHINGTON, d. G.
THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.
THURSDAY, APRIL 81, 1859.


Its Characteristic features, and supersede the
Republican party by general Opposition, to
be rallied on old Wing principles, and under
the lead of some distinguished survivor of the
old Wing party. The protest was timely, and
the general emphatic response to it from the
Republicans and their newspapers was" No
change Of Party, no change Of Bsues-Let us
adhere TO oar distiRctire principles, and to our
REPRESENTATIVE MEN,"
Since then, few politicians, honest and
patriotic, we doubt not, in their motives, but
afraid to commit their cause on its merits to the
Peoples verdict, have been laboring to procure
a modification of this decision. They were
doubtful whether the election in 1860 could be
carried by Seward, Chase, Mclean, Hale,
Banks, or Fessenden, but might not the Oppo-
sition be combined under the lead of Critten
den, Bell, Bolts, or Bates? Was IT not neces-
sary, in fact, to conciliate the Conservatives of
the country?
Or-let US put the question in plain terms
was it not necessary to disband the Republican
party, and reorganize the Wing party, under
such auspices and with such tactics as had
favored the Compromise of 1850, led to disgrace
full acquiescence in every usurpation of the
Slave Power, and, at last in 1854, split that or
ganization, and shivered il to atoms? A notable
project for achieving success
Bell Crittenden and Bolts, soon ceased to be
spoken Of, but the New York Tribune took pains
TO keep Mr.. Bates before its readers as if he
occupied position more in harmony with Re-
publican ideas. The "Whig General Commit
tee" of New York, which now and then gets up
out of a deep sleep, and makes its appearance
npon the public stage with as much solemnity
as if the Wing party had not become defunct
several years ago, went through the farce last
February of passing resolutions and addressing
a circular to several prominent men Of the old
school, asking their opinion on the present
crisis and its duties. Edward Bates, of Mis-
sour, one of the elect honored by its confidence,
replied, it was generally understood in an elab-
crate letter, which, however, was not published.
The Tribune inquired for it repeatedly-wished
10 know why it was not electromagnetic its
frequent illusions to it were calculated to con-
vey the impression that the letter was entirely
the Anticipated Wing Committee We watched
with some curiosity, this new method of manu-
featuring an Anti-Slavery reputation for Fill
more, Slayeholding Wing, confident, however,
that should the wonderful letter ever be printed,
itwould prove nothing more than a resume Of the
respectable commonplace of Conservatism,
which constitute the sum and substance of all
wise craftsmanship with the Fillmores and Hunts
of the North, the Stewards and Grahams of the
South
The result is what we expected. The Letter
of Mr.. Bates never reached it's destination: so.
he made another copy Of it sent it TO New York,
and it is published. The Tribune contains it
at full length, but our readers must excuse us
If we reserve the columns of the Era for some
thing else. A confession of faith from Willard
Fillmore would be quite as original and edify-
ing.
Mr.. Bates writing to the Committee, says:
"SIRs A short time ago, was favored with
your note Of the 9TH inst, covering a resolution
of the committee, to the effect that ii is inexpe-
dent at this time further to discuss or agitate
the negro question, but rather to turn the atten-
ton of the people to other topics topics of
general importance, such as our foreign rela-
tons, including the extention of territory; the
building of railroads for national purposes the
improvement of our harbors the navigation OF
our rivers, to facilitate internal commerce the
subject of currency, and a tariff of duties. and
other means of developing our own internal re-
sources, our home wealth, and binding together
by ties of national and fraternal feelings the
various parts and sections of our widely-extend
ed Republic
Mr.. Bates proceeds to answer, stating that he
has opinions, fixed ones, too, on all these points
The Negro Question he disposes of summary,
and rather Indignantly, and then devotes nearly
two columns to reiteration of old Wing doc
trines, about Retrenchment, Economy, the One
Man Power, Territorial Expansion, Internal
Improvements, and Tariff. As to the Usurp-
atoms of Slavery, its Schemes of Propagandism.
its Kansas Policy the Pro-Slavery dicta of the
Supreme Court, the Lecompton outrages, &C.,
not word. Opposed to the violent acquisition
of Cuba and to Filibustering he certainly is,
as every gentleman ought to be, but he consid-
ers those Questions entirely apart from Slavery
Propagandism, which alone has originated them
and makes them formidable. As to his present
position, he defines it clearly enough. "I speak
for no party, because the only party / ecer BE-
longed to has ceased to ezast as an organization
and militant body
Now for the pith of the letter-his views Of
Z" the Negro Question: :"
" As to the negro question have always
thought, and have often declared, both in
speech and in print, that it is a pestient cues
ton, the agitation of which has never done good
to any party, section, or class, and never car
do good, unless it be accounted good to stir III
the angry passions of men, and exasperate the
unreasoning jealousy of sections and by those
bad means foist some unfit men into office, and
keep some fit men out. 1t is a sensitive ques
ton. into whose dangerous vortex it is quite
possible for good men to be drawn unawares
But when / see a man, at the South or at the
North, of mature age and some experience
persist in urging the question, after the sorrow
full experience of the last few years, can at
tribute his conduct to no higher motive thai
personal ambition sectional prejudice"
This is all plain enough. 1t defines precisel,
the position occupied by the whole class o
Compromises, North and South-by the New
York Express, and Richmond Wing, and Ma
fional Ltelligenc9-by Messrs. HiHard ant
Winthrop, Hunt and Fillmore, Grittenden
Thompson, and Bell. The Tribune will no
the Wing Committee mean, but insists tina
Edward Bates, judging from this declaration o
his views, is opposed to the extension of Sla
very, opposed to reversing the settled princi
pies of common law TO its advantage" not hos
tile to moral and intellectual opposition to Sla