The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-04
..rhe Old Brass Plece.n

John Petit, formerly of Lafayette, now
OF Kansas, the old brass piece of DEM
ocracy," was invited to attend the Breckin-
ridge mass meeting at Indianapolis on the
3lst ut. He declined for the reason that
he held high judicial position (U. S. Dis
trict Judge), but sent letter to the COM
nittee, of which the following are some
extracts: (The Italics are ours.)
fully approve of the purpose of the
sound Democracy to put Breckenridge and
Lane electoral ticket in the field in this
State. Ny sympathy and judgment are
with them, and | cannot but hope they may
succeed. /. Is said that This sgoing counter
to and bolting the regular nomination, and
that il will prevent Douglas getting the vote
of this State. l deny beth of these propo-
sitions 1t was not regular to adjourn the
Convention from Charleston to Baltimore
1t was not regular to exclude, at the latter
city, duly appointed delegates from their
seats. 1t was not regular TO nominate cam
didates by one-half of the members after
the other half had Withdrawn; nor is it
true that running Breckenridge and Lane
ticket will defeat Douglas in this State. My
observation satisfies me there are enough
sound Democrats in the State who would
not vote for the Douglas ticket if no other
ticket was in the field, to defeat him; but,
however this may be, it is the right
and duty of all men to vote for such
men as represent their principles.
The truth is, there is no regular nominee
of the Democratic party in the field and
every Democrat is at liberty to vote for
whom ne pleases, without violating party
ussges or party faith. | prefer Breckin-
ridge and Lane, because their political faith
and platform are mine. 1t is said that this
policy will elect Lincoln. Let it be so, rath-
er than that Douglas should succeed. I
believe that Lincoln IS a more conservative
and souslder national man than Douglas, and
that less danger to the Union, and TO ats
parts, North and South, is to be feared by
the election of the former than Of the latter.
/ I do not desire the election of a man who
! says, as Douglas does, sit matters not what
! way the Supreme Court may hereafter de-
eide as to the abstract question whether
slavery may or may not go into Territory
under the Constitution; the people have the
/ kawfuL means to introduce or to exclude it,
as they Please" This shows that he is
neither jurist nor a statesman, for being
either, he must know that the judgments
and decrees of the Supreme Court, under
p Oui iOIn Vi NONSfutnent, HuSL Oe Ooeyeu,
though it should take the whole power OF
the United States to enforce them and that
there are no lawful means to prevent or de-
feat their execution.
His is monstrous doctrine, and tbs au-
thor OF it cannot receive my countenance
for the Presidency. Mr.. Douglas has proved
false to the sound principles of the Consti-
tuition and of his party, and is not worthy
of support. =" He has denied the faith, and
is worse than an inhdel" Caesar needed
the imperial purple to enable him TO pay
his debts and replsnsh his bankrupt Golfers
exhausted by extravagance and in ambi
tious strife for power. Fl ave we no Caesar