Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-07-27

W tLS i'hENhlNhlbnE dHu LANE TullHCd-
ton meeting, recently held in that city
Every democrat in this broad land ought
to read this letter:
New York, July II, 1860.
GENTLEMEN: Cordially approving the
nomination of John G. Breckenridge for
President and Joseph Lane for Vice
President of the United States, | regret
that it will not be in my power to address
the ratification meeting to be held to-
morrow evening at the Cooper Institute
However deeply it is to be deplored
that rival platforms and rival candidates
are presented to the Democratic party,
threatening to divide its strength and
deliver it over as an easy prey into the
hands of It's opponents, yet, such being
unhapply the fact, the duty Of making Il
choice cannot be avoided.
The difference between these platforms,
like every political question of the times,
derives all its significance from the sub
ject of negro slavery. Its relations to
the Territories and to the mode Of go
verning them is merely incidental; it is
merely the form in which this perpetu-
ally recurring subject is here developed
as an element of strife. The controver-
sy in all its practical bearings is merely
this How is negro slavery to be dealt
with?
In its moral, political, legal, and
economical aspects, my views on that
general subject have been SO distinctly
and so often expressed, that my position
in reference to the rival platforms now
before us could not be doubtful.
The most fertile regions Of the globe
cannot be so cultivated as fully to de-
vclop their natural resources for the
benefit of mankind except by negro labor,
Negro labor cannot be there employed
except through the judicious compulsion
Of superior race and in 10 way can SO
great a measure of physical enjoyment
and moral Improvement be impaired to
the negro as by his compulsory servitudc
in these very regions.
From these undeniable facts, written
in the great book of nature, proven by
experience, and not without sanction
from revelation, my reason draws the in
ference that negro slavery is not repug-
nant to justice-is not Improbable to the
white mans not oppressive to the ne
gro, and is not ineXpodient rs matter
of social policy.
Let US apply these views to our own
country. - Since the foundation Of this
Republic negro slavery has ever been a
main pillar Of our strength, an indespens-
able element Of our growth and prosper
ity. 1t is now an integral part of cur
being as a nation TO expel it by fraud
or tear it out by violence would be ma
tional suicide"
1t follows that 60 to vindicate its essen
jal justice and morality in all courts and
places, before men and nations, is the
duty Of every American citizen"
A moral war has been made upon this
institution by infdels and quasi-reli-
gious crusade has been preached against it
by another class. Hitherto, at least in
the North, no one has defended it, and
its Southern advocates have not been
heard. The natural results have ensued,
judgment has passed against it by de-
fault, and the idea that it conflicts with
natural justice and with divine law has
taken possession Of the Northern mind.
This state Of things afforded most
promising quarry for the industry Of po-
litical party-makers, and they have
ayailed themselves Of IL. They thus ar
guoG With the national conscience on
our side--with God and nature both on
our side, and against our antagonists,
surely we must win" Accordingly, this
bright idea has been industriously worked
into political organization, and here
stands before us at the North tho black
republican party, almost, if not absolute
~, inyineible.
Why has that party any strength ?
Why does it now threaten 10 destroy
harmony between the North aud the
South, leading 10 disunion and 10 disas-
tiers deep and irremediable :
II is simply because the false assump-
ton Of aboiiionists, that negro slavery
is wicked and unjust, has been permitted
10 pass unrefutcd.
How is that destructive party TO bel