New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-09-07
ADDRESS OF THE HOUSTON STATE
COMMITTEE,

FELLOW CITIZENS AND FRIENDS OF GIN. Houston:
Justly indignant the frauds and violence OF National
Conventions resulting from the intgues Of selfish pol
iicans the independent Democrats of New-York de-
temned, months since, TO exercise their rights,
as citizenE by the selection Of Presidential ticket,
without the dctstOn of party. They adopted this I'M
usual course solely in vindcaton Of principle, and
not In mere devotion 10 the name of man. They
were assured thai the unbiased electors of State
and nation desired TO enter their testimony against the
loose morality Of modern politics manifested By sec
tona and actional conventions, by the hucksterng Of
principles and by the open sale and transfer of partisan
votes. They recognized the present time auspi
cious one for popular protest against corrupt party
machinery and they hoped to inaugurate, at least,
come movement which honest Democrats could iudorse
as patriotic.
At this juncture, Gen. Sam Houston-known as u
sound sateeman, and respected alike for bis ability
his integrity and his services to the Republican,.
peared the clear exponent of the sentiment which
was working through the popular heart. He de.
nounced the system of political traffic which finds its
market at National Conventions and refused emphati-
caly to allow his to be used in connection with
their action. This position, calamity assumed by
Gen. Houston, drew forth the response of his feo
citizens il Texas, who at rendered him Peoples
nomination for the Presidency His acceptance there
Of through public letter. placed him before the
try az popular nominee, at democratic national
and conservatives and the Independent Democrats of
NewYork lost time in responding to their fellow
patriots the citizens of Texas, by the selection of
electoral ticket favorable to Gen. Houston.
The Peoples State Committee of New-York now
learn with regret that Gen. Houston has withdrawn
from his position as the Peoples candidate We be-
beve that he would have commanded the sufragss of
our independent Democratic masses, and rsbubed the
corruption of Party Conventions az Andrew Jackson
condemned the venalty Of Congressional caucuses.
political majority might not have crowned the efforts
Of his friends but to those who reoicsd in supporting
him, the champion of their principles, d" minority
" has no teTors.'
Nevertheless felow-citizens it is true that, while
many sustained Gen Houston az the embodiment of
popular protest against party tyranny, larger num-
Der adhered to him from personal preference Alone and
will now consider themselves free to support other
candidates 1t is likewise becoming more apparent
that not only the policy of Convention-system, but
all other political subjects minor ornational have be.
come dwarfed by the overshado wing controversy
garding Slavery; " institution whose existence"
in the words of our late candidate, should never
" have been brought into national politics" Tle at
tempt even longer to ignore this question is futile
The effort to postpone its settlement to the indefinite
future is unjust to pOsterty, as well dishonor-
able to ourselves.
Therefore, we are constrained TO accept the with
drawsl of Gen. Houston from the Presidential contest
sacrifice called for by the political exigeneies of
day. Holding in allegiance desire for popular
rebuke of bad and mschievous party tactics until
such rsbuke shall be spontaneous with the Democratic
masses, we seq1esce III our candidates resolution to
cast no obstacle in the way Of q fair and honorable
conflict Of opinions the main issues of this canvass
We regard the "specious dogmss claptrsp platforms
and eleetioneeriDg cant" justly stigustized by
Gen. Houston as the products of the same convention
machinery which manufactures candidates for our |
highest Offices; and if could cherish moments |
Aarr concerning the destiny of our noble confederacy
Of States. which, thank God we do not it would be
rom the ambition Of pigny demagogues perehed
lpon "spesious dogmas, the recessness Of trading
politicians who special protection of our Union
ather thaD from any danger that may arise from th
e1dict Of our people through their balot-box in til
oDstitutioHal choice Of their rulers.
With these remarks, fellOw-ctzens the People
late Committee Of the friends Of Gen. Houston 10
sw York refign tie pc wers intrusted TO them. In
ling 70, they beg leave TO acknowledge the warm
mpathy and encouragement which they have received
I'm citizens Ia all parts Of tie State and 10 thank the
ntlemen who accepted the position Of Electors in at
tatiop of that Independent popular principle Of which
"a. Hon. on has ever been the exponent. We mUt
Dtion also with satisfaction, the fearless advocacy
he People A. movement by anfodependent press, and
ticularly by those sterling journals, THE Peopes
,ss Of Kingston and TIE Highland Democrat Of Il