The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-08-18
An un-wise Letter by Wise.

the political aspirants OF the day, is
more given to this unwise practice than
Henry A. Wise, of Virginia. He writes
long letters and writes them often.
Below we give one of these verbose
effusions, although by far the shortest
of any that he has lately favored the
public. The letter was brought to
light at the late meeting of the Dem
ocratic State Committee at Albany,
and has created the greatest excite
ment in political circles. The docu-
ment, it appears, was written to a con-
fidential friend of Gov. Wise,-a Mr..
Donnelly, merchant of New York.
who showed the letter to Mr.. Cassidy,
of the Albany Atlas Dc Argus, who
allowed some copies to be taken of it,
and through this means POUNDS its way
to the public. His friends were thun-
derstruck at its publication and pro-
nounced it forgery, although in style
and character it eminently correspond
ed with his slip-shod, frank, impulsive
nature. But of its genuineness there
can be no doubt. Although this letter
is considered at this time to be very in
jndicious, and to have settled in a con-
elusive manner, the Governors chances
for the Charleston nomination, we
think it has one merit which deserves
especial mention. 1t has laid bare the
whole plot of an unprincipled politician
stabbing privately the very persons
with whom he was publicly on avowed
terms of friendship, and who were Ia
boring for his interest; it, also, di-
vulged openly desire to secure his
nomination by corrupt means, if no
other means would serve his purposes
such, for instances, as advising certain
New York politicians, if they could
not secure such delegation to Charles
ton as they liked, to get up a second
set of delegates, implicitly promising
that with united South the delegates
of the right stamp would be admitted
irrespective of what the sentiments of
the New York Democracy might be,
and we thank the Governor for thus
exposing to the gaze of the world the
secret maneuvering by which Demo
cratic Presidential candidates are fois-
ted into public notice. But the docu-
ment speaks for itself:
Richmond, July IS, 1859.
DEAR SIR:-I thank you for yours
of the 9Th inst, I have apprehended all
along that the Tammany Regency
would carry united delegation from
New York to Charleston. For whom
Douglas I know, is confident; but you
may rely on it that Mr.. Buchanan is
himself candidate for denomination,
and all his patronage and power will
be used to disappoint Douglas and all
other aspirants. Our only chance is to
organize by districts, and either whip
the enemy or send two delegations.
If that is done or not done, we must
still rely on united South. A united
South will depend on united Virginia,
and l pledge you that she, at least,
shall be unit. Virginia unit, and
persistent and firm on q sound platform
of protection, to all persons of popular
as. squatter sovereignty, she must rally
to her support all the South. The
South cannot adopt Mr.. Douglas plat
form. 1t is a short cut to all the ends
of Black Republicanism. He then will
kick up his heels. If he runs an indie
pendent candidate, and Seward runs,
and am nominated at Charleston, l
can beat them both. Or, if Squattcr
Sovereignty is plank of the platform
at Charleston, and Douglas is nomina-
ted, the South will run an independent
candidate on protection principles, and
run the election into the House. Where
then, would Mr.. Douglas be? The
lowest candidate on the list. If have
the popular strength, you suppose it
will itself fix the nomination. Get that
and | am confident of success.
The Hon. +. Wood is professedly,
and really, / believe, friend, and of
course / would, in good faith, be glad
of his influence and would do nothing
to impair it, and could not justly reject
his kind aid, but you may rely upon it
that | am not Completely, nor at all, in
the hands of Mr.. Wood, or Of any man
who breathes. He has always been
friendly to me, and / am to him, but
always on fair and independent terms.
There is nothing in our relations which
should keep aloof any friend of either.
He knows as we'll as any one can tell
him that his main influence is in the
City of New York, and / judge what
you say of his country influence is cor
rect. But am counting all the time
without New York, and don't fear
the result. / am depending solely up
on open position of principle, indepen-
dent of all the cliques, and defying all
corners. We will overwbelm opposi-
ton in Virginia, and her vote will be
conservative and national.
At all events, / shall always be glad
to hear from. you, and am yours truly,
HENRY A. WISE.