Year: 1859

Thompson in reply to invitations to attend meet
ing held in Tamnany Hall few days before the late
election in New York Gen. Cass said


am reJoiced to perceive there is prevalent i'm
preston among the democracy Of your State that it
is time their internal dssensions were terminated
ana that harmony of action should take the place of
those discordant views which have divided them
and which have done so much injury, not to New
York only, but to the country. Firmly convinced
as am that the preservation of this Union depends
upon the ascendency of the democratic party look
forward to its united action as the sheetanchor of
our political safety. And the recent lamentable
currences at Harpers Ferry, to which you refer in
such Just terms of condemnation, teach most i'm
pressive lesson, which should be written in living
characters upon the history of our country. The
slnctity, not merely of constitutional rights, but of
private life, has been invaded, and violence and mur
der have been carried into peaceful community
and the American people have learned with equal
indignation and horror the deeds which marked that
bloody day, and the motives avowed for this disre
| gard of the most sacred laws, both human and d.
vine. There is spirit abroad aohich threatens the
most disastrous consequences to our country. 1t is
time that every true man were prepared to resist it.
And if resistance is not speedy and effectual this
glorious fabric of feedom-the work of our fathers
will be demolished and our sons be delivered over
to the evils of anarchy Of despotisn."


Mr.. Cobb said:


81 will not stop to discuss the question how far
these political leaders, senators and representatives
are identified directly with the recent outbreak at
| Harpcr's Ferry. Il is enough to know that the
prominent actors in that bloody scene looked to
them as their friends and supporters. When money
wanted the appeal was made to these men to
supply it. When their plans discussed, and
complaints Of bad faith were to be made, it was
poured into the of and representatives
who would not shake off the association which by
teachings and doctrines they then encouraged A
generous charity may save the leaders of the black
republican party whose names are implicated in this
netarions transaction from the guilt of personal CO.
operation, but there cannot remain shadow of
doubt of the moral responsibility which attaches to
! the men whose infammatory appeals and tratorous
doctrines have maddcncd these murderous instru-
ments into their work of blood and treason.


1t not SO in the earlier days of the republic
Then our fathers lived together as brethren because
they felt and acted brethren ought to feel and act
The love and faternal regard which the common
struggles of our revolutionary fathers had deeply
implanted in the hearts of the people fast giving
place. under the teachings of this new political sect,
to hatred and bitterness 1t requires no prophet to


orcte the future of our country if unrestraned by
wise and wholesome public opinion, these men are
permitted to 90 ON in their work of folly, madness,
and treason.


With Constitution honored rcverenced, and
obcyed and Union resting for its solid foundation
-


ternal people. we have before us the promise of a
brighter future than vouchSatcd to any
people. Let not, however, deceive ourselves by
looking too confdingiy upon the bright side of the
picture. To realize it must arrest and roll back
the waves of sectional controversy which have
brought us to the verge of dissolution and ruin
This growing spirit of sectional hostility must be
buked. Abolitionism, whether it present itself in
the garb of religious bigotry or political power,
. whether preached from the pulpit by Beecher and
Phillips, taught by Seward and GidlingS, or
sought to be carried out by the bloody hands of
Brown and AnderSOn-nO matter in what form or
by whom sustained-must be sranglcd and crushed,
if we are to live together in peace and harmony as
members of the same political brotherhood. In a
Government like ours, which rests upon public opin-
ion for its greatest security-which to look
for its support and perpetuty to mercenary armies
and mere brute force-our appeal must be made to
the calm and intelligent minds of the people. Since
the occurrences to which have referred the people
of New York and New Jersey will be the frs called
upon to speak In view Of the deep feeling which


pcrvades the public mind of the whole country, it is


not strange that the result of your pending elections
should be looked for with far than usual inter
est | trust that the conservative and patriotic
masses of New York and New Jersey will realize
their responsibility and send to their brethren Of
every section of the Union words of hope and en-.


couragement."


Mr. Thompson said:


"My heart is with you, and most ardenty do
desire the success of the democratic ticket. But


gentlemen, certain startling developments of a late
date will give to the result of your approaching cleo


tions peculiar significance A large party exists


in the Northern States-it is in the ascendency in


your own State, and is now struggling to maintain


its power-whose only bond of union is hostility to


property held in the Southern States. This prop
erty was held in all the States except one at the


time of the adoption of the Federal Constitution.


The leading men of this party may succeed in clear


ing themselves from all direct connection with the


late aborve attempt to ncite the slaves OF Virginia


to insurrecton murder and punder; but still it is
! impossible to deny that this attempt is the legti
:, mate practical working out of the doctrines ant


teachings of those who speak for the black republi
can party. The question which is now forced upon
+ the people of the North-which they cannot evade


if they would and which it is the part of true man


hood to meet squarely and point blank-is, does
there exist such conflict between the institutions


of the North and the South that longer peaceablt
y union is impracticable-that indeed, there can bt
no peace till the one or the other shall 60 down
: Will the majority of the intelligent and orderlovine


people of New York affirm this opinion or principle
: The people of the South are and of right ought tt


be- interested spectators of this canvass; they vii
wait for your verdict and con it over when heart


with the deepest solcitude. By the people of th'


South mean the white people, mean those wht
had the power to contract, and did contract with
:, the white people of the North-who then under
similar circumstances, alone had the power to con
i tract-"to form more perfect union establish
Justice insure domestic tranquility provide for th
S common defence promote the general welfare, ant
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
S posterity" The question of fidelity to the compac
o is now transferred to the people of the North, ant
J. they must determine the question for themselves
e whether they wish and intend to keep it in goo
n faith and with a hearty good will; and doub
whether any citizen whose lot has been cast in tn
f. South should interfere in any way with them in ma
It king up their decision. In this view, while l fee


the greatest anxiety for the perpetuty of the Union
y and consequently for the success of the democrati
n party perhaps it may be well that circumstance
: beyond my control will prevent my acceptance Q


your invitation"