The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-09-10
HENRY WILSON As A KNOW
NOTHING.
His Old Political Adviser and
Godfather Settles the Matter.
To the Editor of the Tribune.

hlS OiO POlst1Cal Adviser and
GOd-Father Settles the Matter.
To the Editor Of the Tribune:
SIR: Gen. Wilson has lately written
letter, in which do not quote the ex-
act words, for at this moment it is not
before mel he almost fratically declares
that he has never written or said word
against the equal rights of all, of what
ever creed, color or birthplace / have
taken the trouble to refresh my recollec.
tons of page or two of Gen Wilson's
political life, and give you the annexed
correspondence In 1854, Gen. Wilson
was the Republican candidate for Gov.
ernor in Massachusetts, After accept.
ing that nomination, being at that time,
as it afterward turned out, a member of
the Know-Nothing Order, he attended
the Know Nothing State Convention,
Joined in nominating Henry j. Gardner
as candidate for Governor, and himself
voted, and privately urged his friends,
not members of the Order, to vote, for
Gardner against the candidate of the
Republican party, himself being that
candidate. Gardner was elected by a
very large majority; Wilson received
about 5000 votes, and the Legislature
in both branches was almost unani.
mously Know Nothing. The election
Of United States Senator devolved upon
the Legislature Wilson wanted to go
to the Senate His friends, and / was
one of them, wanted him to 60, provi-
ded his election could not be claimed as
an Endorsement of the proscriplive ten
cts of Know Nothingism. The Legis-
lature was perhaps about equally divi
ded between Know Nothings who be.
lieved in creeu which they had sworn
to, and those who didn't One wing
was to be cheated, and the problem was
how to do it in Gen Wilson's interests.
Judge Russell, now Collector at Boston,
undertook the dirty job. Under his
manipulations. Robert B. Hail, Senator
from Plymouth, addressed a letter to
Gen Wilson. The General brought his
answer to me for revision and criticism
| put it in the best shape l could con-
sistently with its answering its double
purpose, and said as l handed it to him.
"There it is, now throw it into the fire.
You are rolling in the mud for nothing :;
you will be elected Senator just as sure
ly without sending the letter."
The General was elected and took his
seat in the Senate A few days after,
the following correspondence appeared :
From the American Organ, Washington, D. c.
Feb 10, 1851
.. WASHINGTON, Feb II, 1855.
DEAR SIR: Referring you to my edi
torials for the last two weeks, I have to
ask you how far / have correctly repre-
sented your views in my comments up.
on your letter,of Goth January and the
articles in the Boston Bee, which I have
copied? In other words, do YOU or not
recognize the doctrine Of State Rights
so far as to permit the several States to
regulate the question Of Slavery in their
mode within their State limits ? Dc
you or not entertain the opinion that
Congress has power to interfere with
Slavery in the States? Do you or no,
recognize that "higher law" doctrine
which permits you as Senator TO dis,
regar; the binding obligations of the
Constitution Does the American or.
ganzation in Massachusetts, embrace
the question of Slavery among those
for the regulation of which that organi.
zation was formed? Your answer al
your earliest convenience will oblige,
Your obedent servant,
VEsPAsIAN ELLIS,
Editor American Organ.
SENATE CHAMBER, Feb. 19, 1855
DEAR SIR: My answer to your inqui
ry shall be brief and explicit
1st. fully recognize the doctrine Of
State Rights in its application to Slavery
as well as to any other of public con
Germs The Virginia and Kentucky res
olutions Of 1898, in the MAINS ,as think
correctly set forth that doctrine. The
whole subject of Slavery within State
limits should be left absolutely to State
Legislation.
I'd. My response to your second ques
ton is included in my answer to your
first. l do not entertain the opinion
that Congress has any power to inter
fere with Slavery as it exists under
State laws
Sd Every man who believes in q Coo
must necessarily believe that there is S
law paramount to all human law, ant
that this law is to be obeyed by men il
public and private life, rather than an,
human law in conflict with it. But 1 Sc,
nothing in the, Constitution of the Uni
ted States, as ] understand the Consti
tution of the United States, which re
quires me, as a Senator from Massachu
sets, to do anything in conflict with tn,
law of God. fl thought otherwise,
would not take an oath to support tn,
Constitution, Of the United States.
| 4th The American organization Q
Massachusetts does not embrace tn,
question of Slavery among those TO
the regulation of which it was formed
The people of Massachusetts have fixet
opinions, in which most Of the member
of that organization fully concur,agains
the support or allowance of Slavery b,
national legislation They entertain th
most profound conviction that the har
mony and repose of the country, ant
the highest interest of the master ant
the slave, demand that the Nationa
Government should be relieved from
all connection with responsibility 70
Slavery, and that this disturbing Ques
ton should be left to the people of tn
States where it exists. While they d,
not seek to impose these conviction
and opinions upon their fellow citizen
of other States, or to proscriie then
for not fully concurring in these con
victions and opinions, they will submit
/ to no dictation or prescription from an
l body of men or section of the country
], as a Senator from Massachusetts
shall claim for the opinions Of her peo
: pie all the freedom of utterance, and al
the influence nnon the action of Con