Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-11


Having recently seen The name of Judge
MCLEAN frequently mentioned IN connection
with the Baltimore convention and the Presi-
dency, we deem it proper 70 reproduce
letter written by that gentleman in 1856, to
Judge HORSEPOWER, Ex-Cbief Justice of New
Jersey, which is as follows: 2
CINcISxATI. June 6, 1856.
MY DEAR SIR Your eloquent and patri-
otic letter OF the 18th OF May was forwarded
to me from Washington, and come 10 hand
on nv way to the West. when had only
time to acknowledge its receipt and my OBJ
| legation for your warm expressions OF kind
ness and confidence Since then i have
been engaged at my Circuit in Indianapolis.
You will have learned before this from the
public press that the Missouri suit, 10 which
your letter refers, was CONTINUED 10 the De-
cember term, and a reargument ordered. Of
course, l cannot now properly say anything
IN regard to it. but must express my graft
fcaiion in knowing that you are satisfied
with my views. already publicly avoWed, as
| TO the constitutional power OF the General
| Government over the subject of slavery in
the territories.
Your ailusion to our native State and its
bsttle-ields and TO the home of my adoption
and the ordinance of 1871, SO intimately con-
| nected with IFS history, bring to me grateful
"reminiscences. n
For New jersey / have ever cherished a
flial pride and regard; though limited IN
territory and population as compared with
other of her sister states. she has al all times
been strong in those high qualities which are
| only developed in an sdyanced stage OF
civilization, and has yielded moral force
superior 10 her relative political power.
Ny father left Ireland young man, and
landed at Wilmington, in Delaware, at the
dawn OF the Revolution. He soon after be-
| c; me a citizen of New Jersey. and occupying
an humble position in the common walks of
| life, be aspired to no higher place than that
| of private in the ranks of the revolutionary
army and brayely bore bis part as militia
man in the battles of Monmouth, Priencton
| and Trenton. The M nory of a fathers
service, however humble in so glorious a
| struggle, may well be cherished by SON
with proud satifaction.
Was born in your county of Morris, but
after the close of the Revolution, my father.
with bis young family. settled in the North
western territory, where it has been my ia
vored lot to grow up under the congenial in
| fiuences OF that immortal ordinance which
| has wisely guaranteed liberty forever TO that
| beautiful region; and which her millions of
| peaceful and patriotic people will never
| cease TO reverence as the foundation of their
| progress, prosperity and power
| Ii has been 10 me a source of the deepest
regret and of the most painful apprehension
| for the safety of our institutions, to witness
the growing indifference and hostility, de-
| veloped more generally during the last few
years. to this salutary principle of that great
measure OF Jefferson. Some, indeed. have
ventured TO question its constitutiouaIity. al
though for near seventy years it has been the
theme of enlogium with lawyers and states
men of the country, and has received the
sanction of every judicial tribunal in which
1t has been discussed, and that too, In the
slave States.
In these latter days Jack-a-lauterns, gene
rated in the bottomless marshes of party pol
itics, seem to allure quite as many follow ers
rs are found in the path illustrated by The
purer and safer lights emitted from the pre-
ccpts and examples of the cages of the Fevo-
lutiOnary period. aud political action seems
TO be directed rather by considerations of
conceived party necessity, than by the sug-
gestiOn of reason, justice and patriotic prin-
ciple.
Occupying the position rt1o, it Is not per-
mitted TO me to speak Of the transactions in
Kansas In their legal aspects; but ] may say
with you, that contemplate the violence.
blOodshed, and civil aud fraternal war now
Transporting there with mingled emotions of
sadness, alarm and modification. They are
the fruits of that i'll advised and mischievOus
measure-the repeal of the Missouri cOmpro-
mise. which, from the first, have earnestly
deprecated; and have no hesitation in say
ing that the immediate admission of Kansas
a. State into the Union under the cOnstitu-
ton already formed, commends itself to me
as a measure of sound policy, and well cal
culated 10 bring peace 10 the territory aud
to the country.
With these views have not been backward
in advising in all suitable ways, the adop-
lion OF that measure. There are several
Precedents which may be appealed to in
support OF II, and especially that Of the adj
mi~siIn o Michigan. Itwould do no injustice
To my section of country. 1t would power
inlly tend to Iranquilize the public Eiin6,
aliay sectional jealOusies, and bring the great
mass of the people to the earnest support of
the Constitution and Union in their pristine
integrity.
The South would have no just cause to
complain of it, and indeed ought freely and
generously to yield it upon the altar of pub
lie good. Since the adoption of the Consti-
tuition. as many Slave States as Free States
have been admitted into the Union end the
Slave States, while they have only about one
fourth of the white population Of the country,
embrace much larger extent of fertile ter
rltory, with more genial climate than the
Free States.
No intelligent observer can fail to see that
the tendency OF our institutions is now rap
idly downward. and all history and expert
euce show that no free government, with such
tendencies. as ever arrested in its declining
career without revolution, either by Il
peaceful change Of its policy and rulers, or
by the bloody arbitrament of the sword.
1t is an axiom in government. as clear as
an intuilive truth, that no free government
CO. oil .srt n Innrnt
basis. In this must consist its strength
How much Of this foundation remains for
our model Republic. il will be well for the
people, yet yirIuous and enlightened, 10
ponder in season- Ii they do not sec or ap-
preeiate their danger, il is in vain That they
hold the power 10 apply the corrective.
With the great esrespect,
am very truly yours,
JOHN MCLEAN.
UnS a. Hnu~ur