Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-25
The STANDARD.
Letter from Mayor wood.


The following letter from Mayor Wood, of New
York on the state of the country politically will be
read with INTEREST,"
NIw YoRK July 6, 1851
TJ j. Van ANsn Watkins, Schuyler Co. ~ r.:
DEAR Sir: am in recent Of your favor OF the
30th ut, esking my views with reference " .ne
duty Of national Democrats in the state OIL New
York at this time. You have a-rlghl 10 ASH 'hs
question Of me- and it is incumbent upon me 10 To
ply. The present attitude OF the Dcnocratc party
k Illuminating indeed Every lover of the Union
and the continued prosperity and perpetuity OF our
institutions must feel concerned in contemplating Its
condition II is not my purpose to place the re-
sponsbility for this state of things heproaches
avail not in furnishing remedy for mlsortunes OF
errors 1t is sufficient to know that the OLD SNIP Is
nearly stranded and we should not preclpitate her
apparently probable destruction by recurring to the
causes which placed her in her present critical con-
dition We have had too much evaporation al
ready. Personal alterations and misunderStand-
ings have produced the evil; and those who, like
myself have not been parties to the quarrel either
in its origin continuance, should exercise the ad
vantage Of this exemption, by offering remedy, II
one can be found
It is due however, to myself that should say
that on the principle which appeared to have been
originally involved in the controversy, my own
views were decidedly with the national Democracy,
and against those assumed by Mr.: Douglas am,
ana nave Oeen ITOln tue StdTl, III ia'O' VI N'N
ference of the federal executive for the Proecon OF
all the constitutional rights of the States in the Ter
ritories; and recognize slaves as property, to be
one of those rights and fully entitled to this protec
ton. / was also in favor of an open declaration oil
this principle by the late Democratic national Con-
yention; and if myself and friends had been award
ed seats in that Convention, we should have voted
unanimously for such platform We should have
also voted for candidate who entertained the same
opinions.
But in an evil hour others admitted to seats,
to our exclusion and the result is now before the
country in the DISCRIMINATION and decentralization OF
the party
1t is to repair this first step of the Convention
step which led it into all its subsequent difficult
ties from which it never became cXtricated until its
dissolution-that should be the study of us ALL
> How shall we recover ourselves? As matters now
stand the election of Lincoln appears to he ineVita
BILE There are two Democratic candidates. In
every doubtful State as we'll as in every certain
State for the Democratic ticket with the exception
possibly of two or three at the South, and as many
more at the West and at the East,) two Democratic
electoral tickets will be Thus division ofthe
Democracy in the doubtful States gives these States
to Lincoln which, when added to the States certain
for him. against united Democratic vote, will
beyond question elect him. or, in other words, if
Douglas and Breckenridge both rum and their friends
place distinct tickets in the field for each and every
State the Republicans will succeed beyond doubt.
Now how shall we prevent such calamity? In
my opinion there is but one way, assuming that
both of the gentlemen now in the field will continue
as candidates. and that is that in the doubtful States
the Democracy shall be united so that Democratic
electoral ticket shall be elected in them if possible
1t is generally conceded that New York, PennSvva-
MIA Connecticut and New Jersey can be carried for
us if We are united In these States, therefore,
union should be effected at all events. 1t appears
to me that the Democratic opponents of Mr.. Douglas
have deep interest in keeping these States out
of the hands of the Republicans that they would be
willing to vote for that gentleman the only way
to prevent the election of Lincoln by the Electoral
Colleges. Better that the friends of Breckenridge
shall all support Douglas in these States and give
them to him, than that by running Breckenridge
electoral ticket they shall be given to Lincoln.
Mr. Breckenridge cannot get votes enough in the
South to prevent the election OF Lincoln can he
get any electoral vote out of the South if Mr. Doug
las is against him, it is very evident they in
tend to do Nor can either Mr. Douglas or Mr.
Breckenridge get votes enough to prevent the cleo
ton of Lincoln. As between Breckenridge and
Douglas the former is much the stronger man in
the South, while the latter Is the stronger in the
North Why not, therefore, let each run singly
where he has the most strength? Let there be no
Douglas ticket run in the South, and no Breckin-
ridge ticket in the North. Thus will we secure for
them jointly majority of the Electoral College and
if this majority cannot be concentrated upon either
it can be upon some other person.
Take the State Of New York example. Mr.
Douglas, beyond doubt, has very large preponder-
ance of the Democratic vote of the State. With
united party he can carry the State, whereas if
Breckenridge ticket shall be run it will be doubtful
Why not let Douglas have the State: By so doing,
You keep it from Lincoln, recover it to the Democ-
racy, and prevent the success of the Republican can
didate for the Presidency
After a careful survey of the field see no other
course to be pursued 1t is the only way for us to
1ry Alo, .1-.,z - Al L. NJ
ton, and to save the country and the Democratic
party As repugnant it may be to the feelings of
national Democrats TO adopt such course and to fall
INTO the support OF a candidate to whom they have
been hostile, yet patriotism, love of country and
the danger now threatening u.s. should make us for
get the past in united effort to protect ourselves
lot the future With these views shall support the
Douglas interest in this State, and recommend to nv
friends hearty cooperation If Mr.. Breckenridge
had the same strength in the State that believe
Dir. Douglas has, l would with far more alacritv
and spirit, give him the support l now intend to
give Mr. Douglas. Wemust keep New York from ad-
ding Its important electoral vote to those which Lin
coin is sure of receiving and there is no other way of
doing it than to unite with will upon Mr. Douglas
douglas and his principles are preferable to Lin
coin and his principles The issue in this State at
the coming election will really be between Douglas
and Lincoln. The running of other candidates
whether it be Breckenridge Bell or Housfon is for
the benefit of the Republican,. Let all national
men, therefore unite to prevent calamity so serious
and wide spreading in its effects. Let us make it a
common cause and invite to our standard the fol-
lowers of all other candidates. Let us treat them
fairly and literally, recognizing all ant-Repubcans
as patriots and friends and as fellow in the
great cause of the Constitution the Union and the
government
Very truly, yours.
FERNANDO WOOD.