The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-22


more interests inserted in the Monthly.
oBlack is not white neither is red white; there
"fore black and red are the same " would be- in
substance, fair illustration of the logic of those
who, because Governor RUNNELs has been defeated
by General Houston in Texas, and a number of
Democratic Congressman, who were candidates for
reelection, have been rejected by their constitu-
ens, interpret these results as so many Democratic
losses---put General HoUsToN, and nearly the
whole of the newy-elected delegations from North
Carolina and Tennessee, in the same category
with the Black Republicans and the late represen-
tatives in Congress from this city, and include the
whole under the comprehensive designation of the
"National Opposition 1t is true that Governor
RUNNELs has been for two years past the Democratic
Governor of Texas, and that he was re-nominated
for that office by State Convention at Houston.
1t is equally true that when General Houston was
a candidate for the same office two years ago
when his sympathies were supposed to be with the
Americans-he was beaten by more than ten thou
sand votes but to infer from these facts that Cen
eral HoUsToN has finally forsaken the Democratic
party, or that his present election is triumph of
American principles, would be equally gratutous
and absurd. Among the few speeches which the
General delivered during the recent canvass was
one which he made to the people of Nacogdoches,
in which, at considerable length, and with great
earnestness and planness of speech, he defines his
position, and makes his political confession of
faith Addressing himself TO "Ladies and Fellow
''ctizens, he successfully unfolds his views with
respect to Party nominations and conventions-the
National Notwithstanding Americans and the
Black Republicans-the revival of the Save-Trade
the character of Judge WATRoUs--the condition of
Mexico-Kansas-th Lecompton Constitution--the
blessings of common school education-and the
female SEX In the beginning of his somewhat
rambling discourse, the General takes pains
to state that he lays no claim to absolute political
consistency. ''To err he correctly observes, 'fs
"human," and he claims no exemption from the
general fallibility of the race. In answer, how
ever, to those who had charged him with know
ingly DESERVING his principles and abandoning the
interests of his constituents, he says to the people:
Condemn not upon single act If in the
of ortysix years of public service the weight of mans
actions alies with the standard he had reared in early
life it enough prove him consistent. He would be
more than human if throughout such period amid the
tagonisms which spring from hostility to men and mea-
sures should at times stray from that sandard
but if when finding his error, and maintaining through
out his devotion to principle he abandons the heresy and
goes onward maintaining the right earnestly than
before, honest men should be satisfied"
Accordingly, the General avows himself "a
Democrat of the old school,, and denies the
power of any Caucus or Convention whatever,
with its Tests and Platforms, to limit or define his
Democracy. IT myself" he exclaims-
lam Older than Platforms a statesman before the
birth of Conventions. The first National Convention
heard of to nominate Martin Van Buren, upon
General Jacksons ticket Jackson asked before
it, he refused and appealed to the people, who sustained
him.
His own nomination he processes to have derived
directly from the people, calling him from every
part of the State-to quit his ''focks and herds
and ''once more to face calumny and abuse for
''their sakes." ''Ee did not desire Office" he
says, and had determined to forever abandon
"political .le," until the 'honest yeomanry of
''the country" called him from his retirement, and
''hs own conscience" (that convenient monitor of
public mem ''no longer permitted him to stand
''aloof." Referring 10 his brief connection with
the American Party in 1855, he says:
'tAbout this time the American order was started 1t
bid fair to be separate element but became corrupted
During my connection with it met some Of the most
clever men alve-neary all of whom the leaders of
your present Houston Convention party If they
good Democrats they did Know NOthings long it
lasted they will serve you well. Give them office and
you have fear of their deserving you; you
don't look out These clever men found there
Offices enough round and they turned and kicked
the pail over the other day to Mr.. Flake an
honest German editor at Galveston, who Intercepted
he had right to do and was bound to answer That
since 1855 had not been connected with the order 1t
said to be dead and so regarded it. knew of
attempt agitate it, and had desire to agated
will say here that if an attempt made to revive it,
would oppose it, because no good result be attained,
and there is no necessity for it,"
OF his own creed, or rather of the negative fee
lures of his creed, he submits the following def
milton:
'My principles you all know. have ever been opposed
to banks opposed internal Improvements by the Gene
raj Government opposed to a distribution of the public
lands among the States opposed taking the power from
the hands of the people, opposed to special monopoie
opposed to protective tariff opposed to latitudnous
of the Constitutions opposed to slavery agta
ton and disunion This is my Democracy"
He is also opposed to the re-opening of the Afri-
can Slave-Trade, and upon this point his language
is clear and explicit. Waving the consideration
OF the merely moral aspects of the question, he
rests his opposition upon grounds of expediency
Abiding to the attempts that have been recently
made-and nowhere, probably, with more zeal and
success tirau in T1zsas--to ere-open the ITuuc
expresses himself in the following energetic and
patriotic manner:
These thoughts call to mind the fact that ndividu
al at the North high in public station, and standing
the head of sectional party, has declared
the laws of the land and would establish in its stead
what he calls the higher law Mr. Seward says to the
people his section-'Reform your code; extend
cordial welcome to the fugitive when he lays his weary
limbs your door, and defend him You would your
household GODS That is violation of law. The fug
tive slave law guarantees constitutional rights and
yet this advises resistance to it, Is this right? You
answer no. Is it reasonable? Yes, you declare. Then
what would you think of the kind of sentiments ad
vocsed in midst? Yet the great of this
party at Austin announces in the very face of the law
prohibiting the African trade that South jury
VIII brand man as felon for trading in foreign instead
of domestic slaves THAT'S saving fiat southern ures
w perure themselves for the sake of cheap negroes
1t is SANDER upon the South Honor and virtue alike
demand that it should be ndicnantiv revealed Ia not
sentiment like this bad Mr. Stewards? These are
the men who denounce Yet have counseed on
violation Of the law have violated none myself.
mao rather be victim of vengeance than outlaw
sanctioner of treason"
Towards the administration of Mr. BUCHANAN
he entertains the best possible feeling. He quotes
with evident satisfaction the PRESIDENTS express
sion of gratitude for his support in the Senate
General HoUsToN, you have given my admins
''tration as cordial support as any democrat in
Congress, and ! am thankful for it." Speaking
of Mr. BUCHANAN, personally, he further says:
He has been honest and faithful and If all the evils
have been remedied, it has been want of
effort his part You did well to make him President
and when all the clouds which have gathered about his
administration cleared up you will find that
rounded he has been by factions which have crippled
his administration and by difficulties which of
his own making he has acted wisely and as patriot"
After this-who will claim General HoUsToN's
success as an Opposition victory? Or-after the
distinct avowal of his hostility to the American
party, with what face can any man claim him as
a friend of that organization The truth is, that
the late canvass in Texas turned upon questions
altogether distinct from any presented either by
the policy of the Administration, or by the pro-
scriptive principles of the Americans The main
issue in that contest the revival of the Afri-
can Slave-Trade, in favor of which Governor
RUNSELs had committed himself, and to which
General HoUsroS was as emphatically and irrevoc-
ably opposed The success of the latter, under
zuch circumstances should be matter of com