Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-09-02
Political.
From the Planters Advocate.
LETTER OF HON. A. II. SELLERS,
On the Politics OF the Day.
OvERToN, CaloeH County, I
August IL, 1859. (


slant was received some days since, but
from various causes | have been unable
to answer you until now; and even now
| am doubtful whether (entirely discon-
nected from political affairs, as l have
been for some time, and intend to be for
the future. ought to give any express
sion to opinions which, however honestly
entertained by me, can be of but little
value to you or the public.
You wish to know from me, as men,
Der of the American party, whether that
party in Calvert and the adjoining lower
counties of the State on the Western
Shore intend to respond to the action and
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 a member 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, aud that, at
last, is all, | suppose, you wish.
You know well the circumstances un-
der which | became united with the
American party. At tho period of its
formation, the country was convulsed to
an extraordinary degree with that pesti-
lent, mischievous subject, the slavery
question. Every measure of public pol
icy, every measure affecting either the
commercial, the financial, the manutac-
turing, or the agricultural interests of
the country, was made subordinate to-
laid aside and forgotten, in the exactions
and agitation growing out of this wretch
ed 0eratto questio. | was in Congress
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 Kansas-N ebraska
act until it had passed both Houses -
Now it was precisely at this period that
| allied myself to the American party.
| thought saw a party rising in the
country that appeared to me to absorb
the conservative elements of all the old
parties; and which, adopting as its lead
ing principle, T" the preservation of the
Union" it would pursue such course of
Cancellation and harmony, in reference
to the dangerous sectional issues at that
time agitating the country, as would re-
suit in the complete restoration of peace
and fraternai concord between the North
and South.
Nor did the principle of clevating to
Office native in preference to foreign cti-
zens, and Of extending the period Of the
naturalization Of foreigners, fail to com
mend itself to me. | thought saw in
that clause of the Constitution prescrib-
ing the qualifications Of President and
Vice President and United States Sena-
tors, and in the various State consttu-
tions prescribing the qualifications of
their Governors, not only sufficient
warrant for the adoption of such pIin-
ciple, but | also thought | saw luani-
fest dlstrust, in the minds Of the trainers
of those constitutions, of foreign inGu-
ence, and an apprehension, in their
minds, of the difficulty under which TO-
reigners labored in understanding our
peculiar political system. AS to the in
PRODUCTION Of the wrctched sectarian ele-
ment in the platform Of the party, it is
well known, that from the first, set my
face against it, and on all occasions used
every effort in my power to have it
stricken out. | always thought it was
wrong, and knew it was impoitic. |
never in public attempted to defend it,
and to the American party | uniformly
denounced it. Equally Objectionable to
me was the attempted secresy with which
the proceedings Of the party were con-
Quoted and the wretched tomfoolcry Of
signs and pass words was simply con-
temptible | have the satisfaction Of
saying never learned single one, and
was never but once in Council after
my admission.
That to have joined such a party was
very uuwisc and unfortunate act in me,
is now very clear. II was not 80 then.
1t was impossible for me TO forcsee that
its entire Northern wing would bascly
desert its principles and, by shameless
prostitution Of its strength and its re-
sources, swell the ranks of the Abolition
party. For, whatever doubt existed in
reference to the course Of tho American
party at the North, previous TO the Pre-
sidential election Of 1856, that election
demonstrated to the world that it had
become complely and thoroughly aboli-
tionized, confess that after that event
|, for one, considered the American par
ty defunct never imagined for mo.
mcnt that an attempt would be made to
resuscitate il; and 80 firmly convinced
was | OF this. that | publicly declared
that, as one Of the American Electors, |
would cast my vote for Mr.. Buchanan,
if the vote Of Maryland was 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 Maryland, to which you have called
my attention, is the first effort that have
heard Of, to revive the party--aud what
an effort You ask me if think that
action will DO responded to by the Amer
lean party in this and the adjoining coun-
ties | answer do not think il will be,
although the attempt may be made.
regard the action Of the State Council as
a deliberate and premeditatcd attempt TO
organize an Abolition party IN thiA State !