The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-15
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.


POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.
HoN. j. M. READ, OF PENNsYLvANIA.-The
Chester county PENN Republican puts Judge
j. M. Read, of that State, in nomination as the
Republican candidate for President of the Uni
ted States. A correspondent Of the paper sets
forth at some length the character and position
of that gentleman, from whose letter we learn
that Judge Read is about sixty years of age !;
that he is grandson of George Read, signer of
the Declaration of Independence, and grand
nephew of George Ross, another siguer OF that
instrument that up to 1854 he adhered to the
Democratic party, by which he had been re-
peatedly elected to the State Legislature in
early life, and to other honorable positions, but
that he has devoted his life mainly to the prac-
tice of law, and has arrived at great eminence
as jurist. He has held the offices of Solicitor
and Attorney General in Pennsylvania, as well
as Judge. In le45 he was nominated to the
office of Judge of the Supreme Court of the
United States, but the Pro-Slavery influence in
the Senate caused action on the nomination to
be postponed until Mr.. Folks Inauguration,
when Judge of Pro-Slavery principles was
substituted. The writer in the Chester paper
goes on to define his position as follows
But, although now in the busiest part of
his life he found time to pay some attention to
politics, and in l849 attended as delegate the
Democratic Convention at Pittsburg, and ably
and successfully advocated the adoption of a
resolution offered by Col. Black, now of Ne
braska against the extension of Slavery into
the Territories of the United States. The reso-
luton reads thus:
." ReSoired, That the Democratic party adj
heres now, as it ever has done, to the Constitu-
ton of the country. Its letter and spirit they
will neither weaken nor destroy, and they re-de-
clare that Slavery is domestic, local institu-
ton of the South, subject to State law alone,
and with which the General Government has
nothing to do--wherever the State law extends
its jurisdiction the local institutions can continue
to exist Esteeming it a violation of State rights
to carry it beyond State limits, we deny the
power of any citizen to extend the area of bond
age beyond its present dominion, nor do We
consider If a part of the Constitution that Sla-
very should forever travel with the advancing
column Of our territorial progress.
ain March following, Mr.. Read delivered at
a town meeting in the Chinese Museum an elab-
crate speech in favor of the immediate admis-
sion of California into the Union as a free
State, and responsive to the Pittsburg resolu-
ton, In that speech, copy of which ! have
now before me, there is the breathing of the
same spirit and strong ayowal OF the same doc
trine that six years later found sympathy and
accord in the ranks of the new party organized
under Republican leaders, and laid down in the
celebrated platform on which the contest OF
! 1856 was waged = Mr.. Read having disap.
| proved of the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise act, Joined the Republican party imme-
/ diately upon its organization, and took an act
| i've part in the animated contest of that year
one of his speeches, delivered in Philadelphia
on the Both of September, was printed and cir
culated as q campaign document, and being a
calm, strong, and complete exposition of the
rights of Kansas and of the claims of free white
labor, could not fail to be of excellent service.
sin 1853, he consented to be candidate for
Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,
and under the united support, most willingly
concentrated upon him, of all the branches Of
the Opposition, he was elected by triumphant
majority of about $4,000 votes.
| "Of the character of John M. Read as a
Judge, it is yet too early to speak, but it may
be properly said that his demeanor on the bench
| is highly satisfactory to the bar, and there can
be scarcely the shadow of a doubt that his ear
nest desire to discharge honorably the duties o.
his high trust, aided by talents and acquire
ments of superior order, will procure for him
an enviable Judicial reputation, unless, happily,
he shall be called by the voice of the country
TO act in different sphere He has fine health,
a vigorous constitution, strong working powers,
| and, although about sixty years of age, has q
fair psospect of full fifteen years of good service
| in any line of effort in which his mind may be
employed
| al agree with you entirely in the remark
that the suggestion of his name in connection
with the Presidency was fortunate one.
know of no man on whom the whole Opposition
| can so easily unite, nor one who would be a
more fitting representative of their principles.
His opinions on the Slavery question, though
temporarily expressed, have been long consist
emily and firmly maintained, and his views as
to the policy of encouraging and protecting
American industry are the result of profound
reflection and careful observation upon every
branch of political science. His character is
unassailable there is no weak point in it, that
| invites attack or requires defence. His private
and his public life have been, beyond suspicion,
pure Though he has never been in Congress,
or served in the Cabinet, or represented the
country in the Courts of Europe, he is better
ACQUAINTED with the relative rights, duties, and
interests of the nation, with our internal re-
sources, our foreign and domestic commerce,
with the mysteries of finance, and the tidal
movements of the currency, than many who
have spent years in the halls of legislation, or
long worn the robes of office in high public po-
sitions He possesses great discretion, as well
as Grmness and courage, ana caution in deci-
ding as well as vigor in executing. He is not
afraid to do right, nor can he be seduced to do
wrong. Placed at the helm Of State, you would
always see him clam, considerate, forbearing,
vigilanh nsver in haste to act, but ever in time,
skillfully adapting the means to the end, equal
TO every emergency, and yet doing no more
than the occasion would demand. have seen
him from the opposite stand-points of direct
antagonism and friendly association, and
think can hardly be mistaken in my estimate
of the qualities of his character, OF Of bis emi-
nent fitness for the highest position in the Gov
eminent. Most respectfully yours, A. e."
JUDGE DOUGLAS CoNsIsTENT-Inh his speech
at Pittsburgh, Pa, on Wednesday of last week,
he saia
!" I will tell you where the friends of popular
sovereignty stand, and l will tell you where
the advocates of the Cincinnati platform are
compelled to stand-that is, to resist any at
tempt on the part of Congress to interfere with
Slavery either in New Mexico or in Kansas.
If the people of New Mexico desire Slavery