Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-25
Ihe Sfaqoafo.
from Mayor Wood.


The following letter from Mayor Wood, Of New
York on the state Of the country politically will be
read with interest -
/. i New YoRS, July 8, 1854
To J. J. Kan Allss, WatksnS Schuyler Co., IN. ~
DEAR SIas am in receipt Of yonr favor of the
so,h ult, asking ny views with Tss.eNee 70 u the
York Al this time. Ybn have i right to ask this
aNestTSn hf mo, and IL is Incumbent upon me to re-
f.y. The present attitudc Of the Democratic party
Is aiaiAiiatinS Indeed livery lover Of the Union
and tic continued prosperity and perpetuity Of our
6ns must feel concerned in contemplating its
Condition. At IS not my purpose to place the re-
sp6hsibsaity for this state Of things. Reproaches
~Sxl not in Furnishing remedy for misfortunes or
errors 1t is sufficient to know that the old ship is
nearly stranded and we should not precipitate 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 misundcrstand-
ings have produced the evil; and those who, like
myself have not been parties to the QUARREL either
in its origin or continuance should exercise the ad
vantage Of this exemption, BY offering remedy, if
one can be found.
1t is due, however, to myself that should say
that on the principle which appeared to have been
originally involved in the controversy, my own
and against those assumed by Mr.. Douglas. | am,
and have been from the start in favor of the inter-
ference Of the federal executive for the protection 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 Of
this principle by the late Democratic national Con-
vention; and ifmyself and friends had been award
ed seats in that Convention, We should have voted
G. IL k~~,n
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 dsorganizatlon and decentralization of
the party. t
It is to repair this first step of the Convention
step which led it into all its subsequent difficult
ties from which it never became cxricated 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 be nevita-
bic. 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 run Thus division of the
Democracy in the doubtful States gives these States
to Lincoln which, when added to the States certain
for him, even against united Democratic vote, will
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 a calamity? In
my opinion there is but one way, assuming that
both of the gentlemen now in the field will continue
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, Pennsylva
mic md Novr ho 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 nor can he
get any electoral vote out of the South if Mr. Doug
las is against him. as it is very evident they in
tend to do. Nor can either MI. 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
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 as an example. Mr..
Douglas, beyond doubt, has very large preponder-
ancc Of the Democratic vote of the State. With
united party he can carry the State, whereas if a
Breckenridge ticket shall be run it will be doubtful
H. IL ~ u l. n \
you keep it from Lincoln, recover it to the Democ
racy and prevent the success of the Republican can
didate for the Presidency.
After careful survey of the field, see no other
course to be pursued 1t Is the only way for us to
remedy the mistakes Of the late Charleston Conven-
tion and to save the country and the Democratic
party As repugnant as it may be to the feelings of
national Democrats to adopt such course, and to fall
into the support Of candidate to whom they have
been hostile yet patriotism. love of country, and
the danger now threatening us, should make US for
get the past in united effort to protect ourselves
for the future With these views shall support the
Douglas interest in this State and recommend to my
friends hearty cooperation. If Mr.. Breckenridge
had the same strength in the State that believe
Mr.. Douglas has, 1 would, with far more alacrity
and spirit give him the support now intend to
give Mr. Douglas. Wemust keep New York from ad-
ding its important electoral vote to those which Lin
Co ID suIc VI TeCeVS, anu tnere Is no Otner 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 Houston, is for
the benefit Of the Republicans. Let all national
men, therefore, unite to prevent calamity 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 anti Republicans
as patriots and friends and as fellow soldiers in the
great cause Of the Constitution the Union and the
government
Very truly, yours.
FERNANDO WOOD.
PsEcEPT VERSUS PRACTICE. AT the Breckinridpe
and Lane ratification meeting held in Washington
on Monday evening last the President of the United
States isFeported to have said that neither Brock
inridge nor Douglas got regular two-thirds nomi.
nafinn honcn any democrat a. I;ho.xr