Newspaper Page Text
From the Journal of Commerce-
PRESIDENT PIERCE.
For flic first time in tlie history’ of the
democratic party, a President its choice,
one who before his election made pi'e-erru-
nent claims as a devoted adherent of its
principles, its practices and measures, has
become recreant to those principles the
moment his election was sure, and aban
doning those by v- horn he was nominated
and elected,has fraternized with the South
ern secessionists and the Northern free-
soilers. It is true that Mr. Van Buren
pursued nearly a similar course in 1848;
lmt this was after he “had ceased to be
President, and to hope for a re-election.—
And it was left for President Pierce to be
the first to desert his friends, with the very
armor upon his hack in which they had too
confidingly -clothed him! The wishes of'
the democracy have either been wholly
disregarded by him, or treated with con
tumely ; its old and tried members have
been excluded from all voice in public af
fairs, while many of his appointments to
office hear strong indications of premedita
ted insult to the National Democracy.
For the past few weeks, the Washington
Union, the organ of the President, has
teemed with article upon article, day by
day, seeking to avert or allay the deep
feeling of indignation, which, as his defec
tion becomes developed and confirmed,
pervades everywhere tire ranks of tire Na
tional Democracy. Some of these papers
hear strong indications of the source from
which they emanate. They arc so redo
lent with the peculiar declamatory style
familiar to our ears since the Inaugural, as
to give them the weight of official charac
ter, and hence are entitled to consideration.
It is proposed to examine them, and see
how much of apology or justification they
afford for the course he has pursued. A
brief allusion to the causes which have
produced the present state of the democrat
ic party, will, however, first be necessary.
Five years since, the National Democ
racy, with entire unanimity, united in con
vention, upon the patriot, the soldier and
the statesman, Lewis Cass, as its candi
date in the Presidential election. From
the integrity of his character, his firmness
of purpose and the soundness of his political
principles, not less than his learning, abili
ty and acquaintance with public affairs, he
was placed in the foremost rank of Ameri
can statesmen, and the democracy of the
Union looked up to him with no less pride
as its leader, than confidence in his trium
phant election.
But this time, a small faction in the de
mocratic party of New York, under the dic
tation of Mr. Van Buren, had arrayed itself
in opposition to the great body of the
party, because it bad refused to repudiate
the principles of the National Democracy,
and interpolate in its creed the Wilmot
Proviso. They sent delegates to the nomi
nating convention, and claimed their admis
sion, to the exclusion of the regular dele
gates. A request so modtoi and reasona
ble, was, however, not entertained by that
body : ’rat avoiding a proper responsibility,
it unjustly and unwisely, as the result
showed, under the specious pretext of har
mony, permitted those, who never intended
to be hound by the action of the convention
to have an equal voice with the duly con
stituted delegates of New York. The nom
inee of the Convention was no favorite with
Mr. Van Buren, who, finding himself no
longer in a position to control the action of
the democratic masses for his private and
selfish purposes, determined that the hopes
of the party should be frustrated. Neither
a sense of gratitude to the democracy,
which had heaped upon him honors and
place, nor his duty to the Union, whose in
terests were at stake, could induce him to
give to the choice of the democracy that
support to which his talents, his character
and his position entitled him ; and which
Mr. Van Buren, in his greatest need, had
claimed and received at his hands! In
entire disregard of every consideration
which should govern honorable men, and in
utter contempt of public opinion as to his
consistency, his truth or his honesty, lie
placed him; elf at the head of the factious
movement then in progress here in regard
to southern slavery. Thus presenting the
lamentable spectacle of one whose past
cringing subserviency to the South iiad
elicited the sneers of the public, and entail
ed upon him the designation of the u North
ern man with Southern principles,” and
becoming, when such subserviency could
no longer avail him, the head and front of
the Abolition party of the North. Under
the specious cry of free territory, he v r as
able to draw off sufficient numbers from the
democratic ranks in one region, and so
distract and divide the party in another,
as to give to the whigs a majority, and-con
sequent control of public affairs for four
years. But this success did not satisfy
them, and their continued daring and impu
dent assaults upon the constitutional rights
and privileges of the South drew out an an
tagonistic feeling in that quarter, and a par
ty was organized there equally regardless
of the repose of the Union. The fanaticism
of the one side and the desperation of the
other, with the utter recklessness of conse
quences on the part of both, gave to every
patriotic mind just cause of alarm for the
stability of the. government. But through
the devoted patriotism of Cass and Clay,
Webster and Dickinson, and others in
Congress, the Compromise measures were
matured and adopted, which, yielding noth •
ing but what was right, were still emi
nently calculated to allay the just fears of
the most reasonable men at the South, that
their constitutional rights were to he inva
ded. Had an honest assent been yielded
to them by the free-scilers of the North, the
disturbed state of the public mind at the
South would have been quieted, and peace,
security, and confidence between the dif
ferent sections of the Union, restored. Such,
however, was anything but their purpose,
and seizing upon the fugitive slave law,
it was made the pretext for renewed dis
sensions and disturbances. The strife be
tween these two factions of the North and
the South was renewed with redoubled vig
or and vindictiveness, Fhe Government
seemed equally unable to enforce the fugi
tive slave law against the freesoilers, who
set it at defiance, or to maintain the Con
stitution in its integrity against the efforts
of the Southern disuniouists. But the Na
tional Democracy of the North gave to
their Union brethren of the South assur
ance of sympathy and support, and that
gallant band, with Cobb in Georgia and
Foote in Mississippi at their head, success
fully stemmed the tide of disunion in that
quarter.
At the North, the National Democracy
were nearly everywhere equally success
ful, in repressing the spread of fanaticism.
In New York, a strong hold of freesoilism,
the prospects were encouraging. The nar
row, sectional, and bigoted ground on
which freesoilism rested, was not sufficient
ly comprehensive to retain upon it all
who, in the heat and excitement of the first
movement, were, for different purposes,
banded together. The well-meaning por
tion of the rank and file were awakening
to the objects and purposes of their leaders,
and the unavoidable result ot their efforts.
One by one they were silently returning
again to their former political associates.
Unfortunately, however, there were those
in the democratic ranks, occupying promi
nent positions, who never suffered consider
ations of political integrity or consistency
to stand in the way of their individual ra
pacity for office. Under pretence of har
monising the party, those men at this mo
ment, with ‘William L. Marcy at their head,
struck a bargain with freesoilism—a bar
gain for plunder and corruption !—a divi
sion of the spoils of office was the point of
union, and neither principle, the interest
of the democracy, nor of the Union, had
lot or part in it. But for this, freesoilism
would have been prostrated forever here,
and the national democracy, strong again
in its unity and the integrity of its princi
ples, would have resumed its ancient posi
tion. This bargain, however, brought at
once into the very bosom of the democratic
party, a heterogeneous compound of Whigs,
Abolitionists, renegade Democrats and ne
gro sympathizers, without requiring them
to yield assent to any principle of the de
mocracy, or to waive those peculiar ones,
which had brought them together as a dis
tinct organization. This new position gave
their bad principles renewed vitality and
force, and to themselves new poAvers of
mischief. And those avIio effected this cor
rupt union, and whodiave since been knoAvn
as “soft shells” (a name-synonymous with
views which never stand in the way of
seeking or hanging on to office) are now-
reaping the stipulated reward ! Notwith
standing the A-antage ground thus gained
by the freesoilers for mischief, and the op
position and derisive sneers of the “soft
shells” at the laborsand efforts of the old
Democracy, Avliich never swerved from its
duty to the Union and the principles and
measures of the party—they, under the
lead of Dickinson, Beardsley, O.Conor and
others, kept the spirit of fanaticism, which
Avas seeking to drive the Southern States
to desperation, at bay.
Such was the position of affairs Avithin a
foAv months of the meeting of the late Bal
timore Convention. In this State, as is
avcII known, the National Democracy Avere
unanimously in favor of the re-nomination
of Gen. Cass. He had been defeated be
fore by defection and treachery, and the
wish Avas strong at this time that justice
should be done him. But, Aviien delegates
Averc to be chosen here, it Avas found that
Goau Marcy, in keeping Avitli the principles
which govern the class to win (fit he belongs,
hadforgotten his oft-repeated-promises, and
instead of securing delegates favorable to
the nomination of Gen. Cass, Avas actively
engaged in creating .a division in the de
mocratic ranks in his oaaui fa\’or. At first
he professed to desire only to have dele
gates chosen friendly to him in case
General Cass could not be nominated ;
hut when they were chosen, their cry
became “any body hut Cass.” The free
soilers and soft-shells were for Governor
Marcy, of course ; and through their united
efforts and his personal importunity, the
nefarious scheme by which Mr. O’Conor
AA’as denied a place as a delegate, and the
open defection of some chosen as friendly
to Gen. Cass, he finally controlled a major
ity of the NeAv-York delegation in opposi
tion to Gen. Cass. Some of the actors in
this scheme have already received the- xc-
Avard of their treachery at the hands of
President Pierce.
It need hardly he said, that, through ef
forts like these, the bringing forward of nu
merous rival candidates from different
quarters, and enlisting the delegates from
their localities in tlieir favor, Avliile there
Avas a full concert of action between the
disuniouists and the freesoilers in opposi
tion to Gen. Cass, he was defeated. This
result produced a profound sensation of re
gret throughout the Union. It Avas in
truth, the Avish of the avIiqIc people that
the veteran statesman, the now .last living
example of that class whose principles
Avere formed under the teachings of Jeffer
son and Madison, should, in the eA-ening of
his days, reeeiA’e the reAvard of his dcA’otcd
patriotism and unremitted services render
ed in the cause of the nation from his youth
up, in the field and in the Senate, in the
Cabinet and in diplomatic stations.
The eloquent tributes paid to bis w orth
by Bright and Dickinson, and others in
the Convention,—as tliey scverally vvith-
drcAv liis name from the contest—and cast
the A’otes of their States for Fraaklin
Pierce, showed the deep regret with Avhich
they abandoned one, Avho, in the language .
of Mr. Bright, “Avas, above all others, more
deeply anchored in the hearts of the iron- .
bound democracy of this country than any
other man living.” But therr regret, as
Avell as that of the National Democracy at
large, at the defeat of their first choice,
was allayed by the impression generally !
entertained, that General Pierce was na
tional in his character, firm in the support
of the Compromise measures, and opposed
alike to southern secession and Northern
fanaticism. He Avas looked upon as one
into Avhose hands they might with safety
confide the hopes of the Democracy and
the Union. They had seen his course in
Congress upon kindred questions with those
which then agitated the country. They
had seen him unite with the Democracy of
NeAv Hampshire to overthroAv one, a\ ho,
when put in nomination by the Democracy
for the gubernatorial chair, had turned re
creant to his principles. They had seen
him mingling in the Union meetings of his '
own State, convened to give to the Union
men of the South countenance and courage
in their contest with the spirit of secession.
Moreover, they had seen his letter to Ma-i
jor Lally, penned hut a day or tAvo before
the Convention, wherein he urges on the
Convention the importance and justice of
sustaining by its action the course of the
National Democracy upon the Compromise
Measures :
“/ will,” says he, “never yield to a craven spirit,
that from considerations of policy -would endanger the
Union. Entertaining these \dews, the action of the
Convention must in my judgment be A-ital. If we
of the North, Avho have stood fey tbo constitutional
rights of the South, arc to be abandoned to any
time-serving policy, the hopes of the Democracy
and the Union must sink together. As I told you,
my name will not be before the Com-ention: but I
cannot help feeling that what there is to be done
will be important beyond men and parties—tran-
scendently important to the hopes of Democratic
progress and civil liberty.”
The Baltimore Convention, in accord
ance Avitli his suggestion, among other de
clarations of principle, adopted the follow -
ing :
“That Congress has no poAver under the consti
tution to interfere with or control the domestic in
stitutions of the seA’erai .States, and that such States
are the sole and proper judges of everything ap
pertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by
the constitution; that all efforts of the abolitionists
or others made to induce Congress to interfere with
questions of slavery, or to take incipient steps in
relation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most
alarming and dangerous consequences; and that
all such efforts have an inevitable tendency to di
minish the happiness of the people and endanger
the stability ;uid permanency of the Union, and
ought not to he countenanced by any friend of our
political institutions.
“Resolved, That the foregoing proposition covers
and was intended to embrace the w hole subject of
slavery agitation in Congress; and therefore the
democratic party of the Union, standing on tills na
tional platform, will abide by and adhere to a faith
ful execution of the acts known as the Compromise
measures, settled by the last Congress, the ‘act for
reclaiming fugitives front sen ice or labor, included ;
which act, being designed to carry out sn express
•iroA'isiou of the constitution, cannot w ith fidelity
thereto be repealed or so changed as to destroy or
impair its efficiency.
“Resolved, That the democratic party xa-ill resist
all attempts at renewing, in Congress or out of it,
the agitation of the slavery question, under Avhat-
ever shape or color the attempt be made.”
And General Fierce accepted the nomi
nation upon this platform, nGt, as he said,
because it AA’as expected of him as a candi
date, “but because the principles it embraced
commanded the approbation of his judgment,
and icith them no act or uord of his life had r
been in conflict.” These resolutions contain
ed the very principles for which the Na
tional Democracy had contended, alike
against the. disunionists of the South, and
the freesoilers and ‘soft-shells’ of the North,
as due alike to the interests of the South,
and the harmony and permanency of the
Union.
The secessionists and freosoilershadbeer.
pressed so hard at the South and the North
by the friends of the Union, and had been
so tlnvarted in all their efforts at creating a
separate successful party, that for a time,
they seemed Avilling to forego the further
advocacy of their peculiar and destructive
views ; or, perhaps, knoAving better the
character of the nominee and his princi
ples than the Democracy, yielded to the
platform a silent assent, with the reserved
right of renewing the sectional strife Avhen-
eA'er circumstances allowed it. But the
name of the first disunionist, freesoiler, or
“soft-shell,” is yet to he learned, who has
openly and frankly declared his approval
of the principles of the platform upon the
slavery issues. They yield nothing, but
claim that it is not politic to agitate now.
Under all these circumstances, therefore
the supposed nationality of the President
the origin, character, and purposes of the
disunionists and freesoilers, and tlieir con
tinued adherence to the principles of their
organization, was it an unreasonable expec
tation on the part of the National Demo
cracy, whogaA’e him his nomination, and se
cured his election, that the priciples of the
party should not he excluded from the na
tional counsels, or its members, in a mark
ed and offensive manner, in a great meas
ure shut out from places of trust and con
fidence in the administration of public af
fairs 1
Hoa\’, then,have these expectations been
expi
realized ? How has he, who so patheti
cally deplored the possibility that “ the
hopes of the Democracy and the Union
would sinktogether, if avc ofthe North,who
had stood by the constitutional rights ofthe
South, were to be abandoned to a tiiae-ser-
A’ing policy,” redeemed his vaunt that Tie
“ would never yield to a craven spirit that
from considerations of policy,would endanger
the Union ?” Boasts and promises, made
under such circumstances, and for such pur
poses, are ever kept! But what he so
strongly deprecated in others (abandon
ing for a “ time-serving policy” those with
whom he had eA’.er professed to act, and
Lclie\’ed to be in the right.) he has
done himself and he has taken to his
embrace those, North and South, whose
course had brought defeat and disgrace
upon the national Democracy, a cours
AA’hich, in his opinion, Avas destructive
of every interest of the “ common bro
therhood.” He has thus belied ev’erv
and principle of his past life, AA’hich had
giA en him character as a national Demo
erat, and upon which his chief qualifications
for ofiice rested.
But Ave Avil! proceed to state a feAV of the
grounds of complaint.
No one can forget the course of Foote
and Cobh, in Congress, upon the Compro
mise measures, nor Iioav much of the suc
cess in carrying them throughCongress was
due to their perscA’erancc, energy and de
voted patriotism ; nor when the secession
ists of their own States claimed the right
to separate from the Union, Avith what gal
lant selfdevotion they threw themselves
into the contest. The Avholc country await
ed the result with breathlesss expectation
and triumph. Over no foreign foe could
success have sent through the nation such
a thrill of joy as when it was knoAvn that
Georgia and Mississippi stood firm by the
Union. Every one kncAv that a crisis Avas
passed, such as had never been Avitnessed
before. Blessings were showered upon
those avIio had so triumphantly met it, and
it Avas the just expectation ofthe Union de
mocrats, north and south, that their sacra-
fices and services should not go unrewarded.
What has been tlieir reward at the hands
of the President ? Cold neglect, if not
studied insult ? In no instance have tlieir
Avishes been consulted AA-liile their oppo
nents, the opponents of the national demo
cracy and the Union, haA’c been gorged to
repletion with power and jdace. Places in
the Cabinet, in diplomatic stations, arc
shovrered upon them, and fill the most val
uable consulates. The Union men haA’e
received scarcely the name of an office.—
To stamp the devotion of the President to
the enemies ofthe Union and the democ
racy with more certainty, he lias taken the
very head and front of Disunion, Jefferson
Davis, as one of his chief advisers, and,
doubtless, to reassure that faction (after his
gasconade of “interposing a ready and stern
resistance to every attempt to dissolve the
bonds of love and affection which unite us,”)
he has placed their friend in charge of the
citadel at the head of the War Department!
Bat passing o\’or the course of President
Pierce towards the Union party of tl
South, Ave ayill inquire what has been his
conduct toAvards the National Democracy
ofthe North. Has he sustained them, or
abandoned them to a time-serving policy ?
That “craven spirit''' to Avliich he could not
yield, has mastered him here, as there, and
his course towards the National Democrats
of the North, has been but a counterpart of
that towards the Union men ofthe South.
Almost every wish has been disregarded, or
Aviien it could not be denied, assent ha
been yielded in the most ungracious man
ner. The Jefferson rule, “is he honest, is
lie capable, is he faithful to the Constitu
tion,” has less influence Avitli him than a
strong impregnation of the fanaticism of
free soil, an actiA’e part in the defeat of the
democracy in 1848, and treachery to Gen
oral Cass in 1852 !
The name of Daniel S. Dickinson was
presented by the National Democracy of
the North and South, East and West, fora
place in the Cabinet, with a unanimity
wholly unexampled. But unfortunately
for him, in addition to ability and fitness
for such, or any other station, he had al-
■waysheen faithful to the Constitution and
the interests of the Democracy, and his
course upon the Compromise measures had
been devoted and patriotic. In harmony
with his character, too, when Virginia cast
her vote fe r him as her choice for President
in the Baltimore Convention, faithful in his
friendship for General Cass, he placed the
temptation aside. Gen. Pierce received
the nomination. The wishes of the de
mocracy, in respect to Mr. Dickinson, Avere
totally disregarded by President Pierce,
and William L. Marcy Avas appointed to
the cabinet, a statesman Avhose principles
and claims were in all respects the reverse of
those of Mr. Dickinson. And here, too, as
in the case of Cobb and Foote, a simple re
fusal Avas not deemed sufficient. Insult
must he added to it. One Benjamin F.
Angel, a delegate from Ncav York to the
Baltimore Convention, Avho.when Mr. Dick
inson had offered a resolution for a commit
tee to notify the candidates of their nomi
nation, substituted a spurious one, endorsed
it as adopted, and with the name of Mr.
Corning upon it as its mover. By this
means the President of the Convention Avas
deceived as to its origin and named Mr.
Corning as chairman, instead of Mr. Dick
inson, as by parliamentary usage, he should
have done. This avas deemed by all hon
orable men such an act of unmitigated
meanness as should consign the perpetrator
to obloquy. Yet without other clairiis or
qualifications, the President has appointed
Mr. Angel to a responsible and lucrative
post ? It was left for President Pierce to
thus publicly sanction and approve an act,
Avhich even its perpetrator has the grace to
be ashamed of and to deliberately deny,
until it Avas knoAvn that the spurious resolu
tion and endorsement were in his hand wri
ting. All this was known to the President
when the appointment Avas made.
Of a kindred character was the offer to
appoint Mr. Dickinson to the Collectorship
of New lork, where his friend Goa - . Marcy,
hoped he Avould he buried from the public
eye. But Mr. Dickinson had not sought
the office, and moreover had desired the ap
pointment of Mr. Schell, a tried and capa
ble Democrat, Avhich Avas asked by the Na
tional Democracy of the city. Mr. Dick
inson ; as on a still more important
occasion, felt constrained to decline it,
even if it was otherwise proper he should
accept the appointment.
The course pursued towards Mr. Dick
inson Avas extended toAA’ards Mr. Bright and
other distinguished Democrats deservedly
high in the confidence of the National De
mocracy, and Avhose friends sought for
them a place in the Cabinet. But they,
too, had been true to the country at all
times, and under all circumstances, and, of
course, Avere discarded by the President.
The course of the President, in regard to
inferior appointments, has been similar.—
While the most valuable ones have been
croAA’ded upon the nnlliflers and the free
soilers and soft shells, every wish of the
National Democracy, with a feAV trifling ex
ceptions, has been disregarded. And even
when these factions had no candidate of
their oaj-ii, and unexceptionable ones were
presented by the Democracy, tlieir appoint
ments Avere usually refused, and those de
signed by liis new advisers alone received
favor. In one instance, however, the Pres
ident lias done otherwise. In refusing to
appoint Mr. Johnson to the Post Office in
Albany, tlie President permitted him to say
avIio should receive the appointment. B
this was doubtless due to the consideration
that bis refusal to appoint Mr. Johnson in
volved a disregard of his repeated prom
ises.
What are the reasons which he gives for
his course ?
That the Baltimore Convention, by de
daring the Compromise measures the final
ad justment of the slavery issues, made ac
quiescence in this adjustment the test of
party fidelity ; and that, in making the ap
pointments in the manner he has, he has
sought to harmonize the different sections
of the party, by carrying out the principles
of the platform. This is the substance of
the score of articles AA’hich have appeared
in the Union in defence ofthe President, an
early number of which likeAvise contains
the assertion, that “no man, cither North or
South, has been appointed to office, avIio is
not in favor of a faithful execution of the
Compromise, and opposed to the reneAval
of sectional agitationand also, “that
larger number of the original friends of the
Compromise avill be found to have received
office, than either of its Southern or North
ern appointments.”
In what part of the platform does the
President find precedent for this course ?
Does that teach him that the National De
mocracy, whose only fault has been in pla
eing confidence in his professions, must be
discarded to make room for those Avho spit
upon the platform as the exponent of their
principles, though they may silently acqui
esce in it while it brings to them place and
power ?
But it is all to promote the harmony of
the party ! Ridiculous pretence ! Was it
for this that Cobb and Foote and the Un
ion men of the South were discarded and
excluded from office, while favors were
heaped to satiety upon the dis-Unionists,
with Jefferson Davis at their head ? Was
it for this that William L. Marcy, the most
obnoxious man to tlie national democracy
in Ncav York, was hoisted into the cabinet
over Mr. Dickinson, and against the wish
es and remonstrances of the entire Nation-
si Democracy ? Was it for this that such
men as Bright and others were rudely put
aside, and such men as Angel received
place? Was the sacrifice of the able, de
voted men of the party, the only terms up
on which the President’s iioav friends would
yield obedience ? Was the denial of eve
ry wish of the National Democracy, and
tlie granting all that Avas asked by tiie
frec-soilers and disunionists, the only terms
upon which these immaculate patriots could
beheld true to the Union and the demo
cratic party ? And if these Avere the only
terms, who would have expected to see
President Pierce, avIio never could yield cra
ven-like from considerations of policy, the
first to yield to them ?
But rewarding treachery to the Union
and the democratic party, to the almost en
tire exclusion of the friends of both, is a
new method of producing harmony in its
ranks. It may keep such men quiet while
gorged Avitli office. But it teaches them
that treachery and agitation is a surer Avay
to promotion than honest, unwavering de
votion to the country. If, however, this
rule is just and proper, of conferring the
largest favors upon those who have injured
the democratic party most, why does not the
President extend it to his friend the Rev.
John Atwood, or to John P. Hale himself?
They Avere democrats, and divided and dis
tracted the democratic party for the sake
of notoriety and office; hut as their means
of agitation are gone, they avi 11 doubtless
make as many promises of fidelity to tlie
Baltimore platform as most of the Presi
dent’s appointees, if such promises bring
them position and influence.
But the President says that “no man, ei
ther North or South, has been appointed to
office, avIio is not in favor of a faithful exe
cution of the Compromise, and opposed to
a renewal of sectional agitation.”
Where is the evidence of this statement
to be found ? Where is the record ? Who
believes that a single one of the host of dis
unionists, frec-soilers and soft shells, aaJio
fill almost every place in his gift, Avill close
his mouth upon this subject any longer
than it is made his interest to do so ? In
deed, in view of some of the appointments,
the statement is so utterly ridiculous as not
to excite other than a smile of derision.—
“We shall have no District Attorney,” says
se, “afraid to speak out for tlie Constitu
tion for fear of agitators and abolitionists.”
High words; but the President had the
means of knowing that at the very time of
making this vain boast, he Avas signing the
commission of a District Attorney for one of
the most thoroughly abolition districts in
the Union, Avhere violations ot the fugitive
shiA'c law are noAV aAvaiting trial, and that
soft shell” District Attorney, “avIio
The last principal point is
the country through,a larger numberof orig"
inal friends of the Compromise will he found
to haA*e received office, than either ot its
Southern or Northern opponents.”
Where are the appointments from the
ranks of the National Democracy to be
found ? In the Cabinet, on foreign mis
sions, or in valuable Consulates ? Surely
the Avriter had a high appreciation of pub
lic intelligence when he ventured upon such
an assertion in face of the facts !
But there is a class of appointments which
have generally been conceded to National
Democrats at the North,—that of Marshals.
For the President lias said that he “would
have none without courage or conscience to
fulfill their duties,” and those, therefore,
infected with freesoilism, Avere to he abso
lately excluded, lest they should “asso
ciate with fanatics to evade and defy
the laAv.” This, if true, is certainly com
that taking ball, but in the noisy mill, the busy shop,
the crowded assembly, at home or on the
street ; never oppressing the weak, or ridi
culing the unfortunate ; respectful and at
tentive to his superior; pleasant and affable
to bis equals ; careful and tender of the
feelings of those he consider beneath him.
\Nashua Telegraph.
w-
limentarv to the President’s new associa
tions, and a striking illustration of his OAvn
appreciation ofthe honesty of their profes
sions ofadherer.ee to the principles of the
Compromise, the fugitive slave law “inclu
ded.” But another reason for conferrin
these appointments, to the exclusion of the
free-soilers and “soft shells,” is suggested
Avhich, in truth, seems more in consonance
Avitli the character and course of the Pres
ident towards the National Democracy.—
A large body cf the people at the North
not excepting the President’s friends, tlie
free-soilers and “soft Jiells,” still look with
abhorrence upon the fugitive slave laAv, and
the mildest epithet applied to those Avhose
duty it is to execute it, is “negro-catcher
and hence the Marshalships arc conferred
upon national Democrats, that they may
reap the odium which attends its due exe
cution here, a, bile its opponents are encour
aged by the support of the President
through the official honors and emoluments
he hasbcstOAved upon them.
But if the statement, that a larger num
ber of the original friends of the Compro
mise liaA'e received office than either of
its Southern or Northern opponents, Avere
true, and which is admitted by the Union
in a subsequent number to be untrue, it falls
far short of a justification. The President
avos nominated and elected as a National
Democrat and upon what principle should
he place the .great National Democratic
party of the Union ; upon a bare equality
Avith the small band of seceders of the south,
or the equally small body of free-soilers cf
the north, even if no distinction was to be
made in favor of those who ha\ - e ever been
unAvavering in tlieir support of the democ
racy and the Union, over those Avhose course
has eA’er been characterized by treachery
and defection, and which has brought dis
grace and defeat upon the party, and the
Union itself to the verge of ruin ! Surely
the most thoroughly free-soil or disunionist
President could scarcely ask more for his
foIloAvers.
But it is not that the National Democra
cy have been denied an equal amount of
office with the factions named, of which
they complain. Nor is it those who have
been denied office, avIio feel most keenly
the AA’rongs inflicted on the National De
mocracy by tlie President. It is the whole
Democracy of the Union Avho object to the
principle upon Avhich Presidential faA-ors
have been conferred, the almost entire ex
elusion of their friends from a A’oice in pub
lie affairs, and the installing into the most
prominent places their enemies and the en
emies of the Union. It aa as this Avhich call
ed out the resolution of the Hon. Edmund
Burke, in the late New Hampshire Demo
cratic Convention (of which lie Avas the
President,) wherein the President Avas ad
monished not to “confer too many fa\’ors
upon those who support the platform for
one purpose and spit upon it for another,
and who have no real sympathy with the
great Democratic party cr its principles,”
—a resolution none the less significant, em
anating from the source it did, and in the
place where presented, though it Avas A oted
down.
We Iira’c thus examined at length the
President’s apology for his course, and a\’c
leave the subject, with the remark that if
he is satisfied AA’ith his position, let him en
joy it. But it affords a lesson, which Avill
not easily he lost upon the democracy. It
Avill teach them the importance, no less the
honest duty, of standing by those Avho liaA’e
been fully tried, and the folly of running
after iicav names and new men. It Avill
teach them, too, to look for something more
than the candidate’s certificate of his polit
ical principles and character, circulated un
der A'cry suspicious circumstances, on tlie
eve of a Convention, and none the less so
that it protests that his “name trill not be be
fore the Convention
A. NEW YORK DEMOCRAT.
Railroad Meeting in Macon.
In accordance with a Resolution of the
City Council, and the call of the Mayor,
a meeting of the citizens was held at the
Court House, on Thursday the 11th inst.,
“to take into consideration the subject of
aiding in the proposed Road from Macon
to Warrenton.”
The meeting Avas organized by calling
J. J. Gresham, Esq., to the Chair, and
Geo. Patten, Secretary.
The Chairman explained the object for
which the meeting had been convened, and
urged the importance of the contemplated
connection Avitli Charleston, to the inter
ests of this City. He also advocated the
route proposed, (via Warrenton and Augus
ta,) as the most feasible, and, in the pre
sent state of things, the only practicable
one.
Thos. C. Nisbet, Esq., advocated the
same A’iews, and represented to the meet
ing, evidence in their support.
The folloAving Resolutions were then
submitted by T. R. Bloom, Esq., and unan
imously adopted :
Resolved, That the project of building a
Railroad from Warrenton to Macon meets
the warm and cordial approbation of this
meeting, and aa*III receive all the support
and co-operation Avhich it is in the power of
the authorities and people of Macon to ex
tend.
Resolved, That a committee of five be ap
pointed by the Chair to take into consider
ation the most suitable and efficient means
by which the authorities and citizens of
Macon can aid in the construction of said
Road, Avith porver and authority to confer
and adA’ise Avitli all other parties in inter
est, in reference to the preliminary suppoit,
the organization of the Company and se
curing subscriptions and report their action
to an adjourned meeting to be called after
the survey has been made.
The Chairman appointed the following
gentlemen a committee under the second
Resolution, \\z : T. R. Bloom, T. C. Nis
bet, T. G. Holt, L. N. Whittle and E. J.
Johnston, Esqrs.
On motion,
Resolved, That the proceedings he pub
lished in the City papers.
The meeting then adjourned.
JNO. J. GRESHAM, Ch’n.
Geo. Patten, Sec’y.
from the American f
State Teacher’* Convention
We are indebted to the Secretary \ ,
Smith, for an early copy of the proceed:. °-'
body. The number in attendance injon' f '
vention was net, perhaps, as larg° as - i;r C
ted, but the high character of these ^ Sl; U
sted in their
the ability manifested m tneir proceed’
feel assured, elicit the commendation'^^ ■
the co-operation of an intelligent p,. ot
of the noble purpose for which they hJ 1
bled, and which, through their exertions - "
to the moral and intellectual happiness if ‘ : “
pie and the devation cf omY-tate •
Perhaps where all have been prominent ^
vocacy cf Educational Reform, no
should be drawn, but Ave believe’the !
the Convention will “concur with ns ir . : "
to the Rev. Thomas F. Scott, of Coimni,-- '
the thanks of a grateful people for his vr « •’
in this cause. For a number of years
ed iudefatigably to bring about
an : y .
the Teachers of the State, and to his i ni i,.
that of his Southern School Journal WK
ted, to a great extent, the present’ ham,
firm of talent, pnsrnr nn.] I ... *■
tion of talent, energy, and moral worth, v.-p
. U *«J
pose the organization whose proceuli-.
below. We sincerely trust that this nri -' -
may eventuate in universal blessing to Ti’
of Georgia, and imperishable L-onor*to ti',—
in Educational Reform. ■■■• ■
proceedings.
Griffin, Ga., August 10
A number of Teachers, in conformity t .
ous call, met this day at 10 o’clock A A: ' \
Baptist Church of this place. ’ ’■
On motion of Rev. E. H. Myers, Roy T
Slade was called to the Chair. The
then stated the object ot the meeting; after
on motion of Rev. F. R. Goulding. 'p’rav, -
fered by tlie Chairman. Rev. O.L.
pointed Secretary.
On motion, all the Teachers came fonv-v
registered their names, as folioAvs: 5 <
Rev. Thoi as B. .Slade, Columbus; R, ,
W. Reid, Woodstock; Rev. F j; *
Kingston; Rev. Caxlilse P. B. Martin e ^
Rev. L. L. Wittich, Madison; Rev. lj jj
Macon; Rev. David S.vobe, Griffin;
Jackson,Grinin: Kev.ThomasF. -Scott.< \fi
Rev. John W. Attaway, Griffin : Rev. 0 V 'j
Macon; K. W. Turner, MeDonough; H. f y
row, Griffin;. L. J. McCormick, Griffin; L i "jf |
The “ Union and Compromise” Presi
dent.—Three strong Democratic papers in
Ohio, the Kalida Venture, the Lima Argus
and the Ashland Union, denounce in strong
terms the appointment of Gen. Gilson, an
Abolitionist, as Receiver of the United
States land office at Defiance. The Union
says the appointment “ has been comment
ed on by the whole Democratic press in the
Northwest in a spirit of manly and honest
rebuke.” The editor says that he knows
the appointee well; that the said appoin
tee is an abolitionist; that his appointment
was made in the face of well authentica
ted charges of malfeasance as commission
er of the State land office,” and that “his
fraudulent and lawless official conduct sac
rificed the best interests of the population
of Northwestern Ohio.”
A Word to our Friends.
will not be afraid to speak out for the Con
stitution,” for fear of agitators and aboli
tionists,” holds that law in abhorrence, and
that it should not he obeyed ? We shall
look with interest upon this sympathiser
with rioters as he appeals to a jury for their
conviction of an offence which lie holds to
be no offence at all !
The price of good government is eternal
vigilance; and as it is well worth it, no
man who values his liberty should befound
wanting in vigilance in such a canvass as
the present. This is a contest between
Conservatism on the one hand, and Radi
calism and Filibusterism on the other—be
tween the Secessionists who are supporting
Johnson, and the Union men who support
Jenkins. There is no avoiding this issue,
however the Secessionists may seek to
shield themselves under the mantle of De
mocracy. But two years ago, Johnson
and the mass of his present supporters were
open and avowed advocates of Secession,
which is but another name for Revolution
and Disunion.
They have never, on any occasion since,
renounced or repudiated a single principle
they then put forth. Finding, however,
that they and their principles #verc obnox
ious to the people, they now seek to obtain
power by proclaiming themselves Demo
crats—a party and party name, which they
repudiated in tlieir mad zeal for Secession
and Disunion, and only now avail mem-
selves of it to obtain poAA’er. That accom
plished, they will claim it as a triumph of
secession and disunion, a direct approval,
bv the people of Georgia, of tlieir favorite
scheme of a Southern confederacy. Let
the people reflect and be admonished, ere
they commit themselves to the support of
such men and such measures.
Opposed to these men and these mea
sures, is Charles J. Jenkins, whose ster
ling patriotism and unyielding devotion to
Conservatism and the Union, are familiar
to every intelligent mind in Georgia. He
stands forth now, as he has overdone, the
uncompromising friend of the Constitution
and Union, and the vigilant and zealous
opponent of the mad schemes of the Se
cessionists. He has never faltered in his
opposition to such measures; and the Con
servative men OAve it to themselves, their
principles and the country, to give him a
cordial and hearty support—to elevate him
to the Executive Chair of Georgia.
We repeat then, he A'igilant—perform
your duty, your Avhole duty to yourselves,
your principles, aud your country.—Chron.
and Sentinel.
The Speaking on Saturday Last.—Col
James M. Calhoun, our Republican candi
date for Congress delivered to a large and
attentive audience on Saturday last,
brief but lucid history of political parties in
Georgia since 1850. Col. C. is a forcible
speaker and has made himself thoroughly
acquiauted Avith the most important points
iioav at issue. He is superior both in intel
ligence and as speaker to his opponent and
will not fail to make a faA-orable impression
upon the people.
Before concluding upon all he wished to
say, Col. C. gaA’e Avav to, and introduced to
the audience the Hon. Chas. J. Jenkins, who
was greeted in tlie most cheering manner.
Vt the commencement of his speech it was
preceptible that he labored under a hoarse
ness from cold, that rendered his articula
tion painful and difficult. Apart from this,
however, his speech was all that had been
anticipated from the highly cultivated intel
lect of this pure minded man. On the sub
ject of Avhat is known as the Algerine Law
AV'e can only remark he acquitted himself
of the censure, if he did not win the appro
bation of iiis opponents. No one ever ex
hibited a record of purer Republicanism
than Mr. Jenkins did on this subject. We
will not attempt to grto his argument—but
Content ourself Avith stating that he af
firmed, and none could doubt the truth of
the affirmation—that he is iioav and has ca -
er been opposed to any restriction upon uni
versal suffrage. He appealed to his public
life, running through twenty three years,
as a member of tlie Legislature of Georgia,
and defied any one to sIioav that he had eA’
er fVu’ored directly or indirectly any scheme
devised by others or himself to limit the
right of suffrage. And he remarked, “ if
I should in future occupy any public office
iny opinions and mv conduct in this regard
Avill undergo no change.” We hope the
small demagogues Avill now cease to make
their false charges against Mr. Jenkins on
this subject—charges, only designed to op-
perate upon the ignorant, and Avhich intel
ligent men despise.
fMarietta Union, 10th inst.
Boys, you are all ambitious to be consid
ered gentlemen. That is all very natural, but
remember, that neither your oavii nor your
parents’ position in life, your tailor, your
boot-black, or your barber, can make you
one. The true gentleman is the same ev
ery Avhere ; not only at the social party o r
If the Union Demcorats were in earnest
—if they Avere honest in claiming that Air.
Jenkins, the author of the Georgia Plat-
from, had saved the Union, while Judge
Johnson was charged by them Avith at
tempting to destroy it—if, avc say, they
Avere honest, candid and conscientious in
the enunciation of their belief in regard to
these matters—hoav can they vote for
Johnson ? Now, gentlemen, don’t dodge
this question, but take it home to your bo
soms, and let each and every one honestly
inquire of himself why he should, under
the circumstances, A Ote for Johnson. It is
not pretended that these gentlemen, or ei-
their of them have changed—they are the
same Herschel V. Johnson and Charles J.
Jenkins that they Avere in ’50 and ’51. If
the Union voters were right then, how can
they wheel about uoav and vote for Johnson,
without being wrong ? How can they ?—
Let them answer at the ballot-box—let
them satisfy their OAvn consciences. They
must either \ r ote against Johnson now, or
acknowledge that they slandered him then !
Gentlemen Avhich Avill you do?
\ Athens Herald.
Augusta; J. Darby, Culloden; Bernard
Savannah; M. L. Hieth, Griffin: R. A H.'
Bairdstown; J. C. Humphrey, Griffin : ,J,,
Siewart, Jackson; Wm. D. Williams,M ;1
D. Beattie, La Grange; F. G. Litton. MolVj.'
J. A. Swearingen, Vienna; Joseph E. W;,
field; S. (J. Johnson, White Water; Wy ,. V
Haralson; \\. C. Holmes, Barnesriile; ,j ; ,
Noyes, Bamesvillc; W. R. Pixley, Barn*.,;
Rev. Thomas F. Seott being’ called ir, •
dressed the meeting at length, with ik-.Y '
force, on the important ei.ds prop.>s« d to Ik
by the formation of an Association of Te.
Whereupon it Avas
Resolved, That for the purpose of or* ;
State Teachers’ Association, a commit!
appointed to draft a Constitution for thi-
tion. [Rev. T. F. Scott, J. Darby. E. 11. y
L. LaTaste and F. R. Goulding, were •
this committee.]
On motion, the meeting adjourned to me>;
o’clock, P. M.
' 2 o’clock. ?. i
The meeting was called to order bv :Li i ;
man. The committee appointed to draft a < •
tution, reported through Mr. Darby.
On motion, the report was received, tnk :
tide oy article, and the Constitution arty, | ,
as reported—leave being given to the Cosnc::;,
sit again.
The Teachers present proceeded to ffgn the ( ,
stitution, and the Association being thes Art
proceeded to elect the following officers:
Rev. T. B. Slade, President.
Rev. F. R. Goulding, 1st Vice President
Bernard Mallon, 2d “ “
Rev. L. L. Wittich, 3d “ “
Rev. John W. Reid, 4th “ “
Rev. 0.1,. Smith, Recording Secretary.
W. D. Williams, Corresponding Secrctair.
H. E. Morrow, Treasurer.
Rev. E. II. Mvers, ]
J. Darkt,
Rev. C. P B. Martin, j Executive Connaia
J. E. Willet,
L. LaTaste,
On motion. Rev. T. F. Scott and Maj. F. D.C >
mins were elected honorary member- - .
On motion, the body adjourned to meet at■
clock, P. M. in the Methodist Church.
S o’clock, p. *.,
The Association met according to adjourmisr
T. B. Slade in the chair, and after prayer by E*
J. W. Reid, the minutes were read and . .
Re a’. T. I’. Scott offered a series of t-jin'is
which, on motion, Avere laid on the table ft a
present.
On motion, the Association was then;;' .-I
on the subject of Common School Edtu
Rev. T. F. Scott, J. Darby, and others, and :
adjourned to meet to-morrow morning at ' o'clo.
Thup.sdat Morning, 8 o'clock
The Association met this morning, in the Bv’■
Church—the President in the chair—and we
ed with prayer by Rev. L. L. Wittich. After
calling of the roll, the committee on the C-t-tin-
tion made their final report, which was receivei x
adopted. '
On motion, the following resolution was w.-'i.
Resolved, That when this Association a "■
it shall adjourn to meet in the city of Mill-dyer! I
on Wednesday, 30th XoA-embcr, at 7 o’clock, P. S |
On motion of L. L Wittich, it was
Resolced, That the next Annual Meeting«i
Association be held in Madison, on the - -J
Wednesday in August next.
A communication from Rev. John J. Grr -
Talbotton, being received and read, his aa: .
motion, Avas enrolled as a member of the Ac
tion.
On motion, the resolutions offered by j
Scott Avere taken up, and pending i: "ir li
the body adjourned to meet at 2 o’clock, P. M.
2 o’clock, r.u
The Association met according to a
the minutes Avere read and continued, anuonrec - ;
mendation of the Executive Committee, Etv
B. Jackson was elected an honorary membvruliA
Association.
Ou motion, the business of the morning v.as.
sumed, aud the resolutions .adopted, as toll
Resolrul, That the Executive Commit!
zeded to select suitable persons to deSterled* |
at our next meeting, on the following topiuU
]. The Educational wants of Georgia.
2. The Qualifications of Teachers.
3. What position ought the Study of Xsv.i|
History to occupy in ear system of educafi
Resolced, That a committee of two h- J
pointed to present arc-port at our next:::
the following subject :
The Organization and Conduct of county A--'
ations and Teachers’ Institutes. [Bernar M---
and Lucien LaTaste wc rc appointed sale o —
tee.]
Resolved, That a committee of five be a;
to prepare and report a Memorial upon tff- -
of Education within the State of Georgia,
gest a plan for affording the means ot* edac: - -
the largest number of children within |
which report, Ac., shall be submitted w
meeting of this body—and the said mens-r:.. ---
plan shall be presented to the Legislator ■ >’ •*
Association at its next meting shad -‘ -
[The following committee was app> inti • ®;
this resolution : C P. B. Martin, J. Dar'y •'
Reid, F. R. Goulding, J. W. Attaway
Resolced, That avc recognize the " '■ ■■ j' I
School Journal,” edited by K v. T. ■■ '
the organ of this Association—that it Cys -
patronage of every teacher and friend ot -y
in our State, and that we will use our best et-s-
extend its circulation.
Resolved, That the Executive Comr.uttt
lowed until the next meeting to prepare a
. I
I
0! >1
Mr. John Barrett, an old respectable citizen of
Hall County died very suddenly on Tuesday morn
ing last in Gainesville. He Avas sitting at the
Post Office, in conversation with a friend, Avhcn he
raised his hands to his face, fell from bis seat, and
expired immediately. Mr. Barrett was highly es
teemed, and has left a large number of connections
and friends to mourn his loss.
[ Mountain Signal, July 30.
The Population of Mexico is given, as—Indi
ans, 4,345,88t5; half castes, See., 2,166,345; ne
groes, 6,000; whites 1,100,000. Total, 7,626,831.
Total number who kneAv not hoAv to read and write
when the census was taken >vas 6,543,069,including
67,22!) Indians.
by-latvs; and that they report thereon, on -i - '
day of said meeting, at 10 o’clock, A M-
Resolved, That the editor of the Southern y ,
Journal be requested to forward to each oif
this Association., four copies of the issue <•: .
per containing the Constitution, and procu
this Association, and charge the same to the
at ion. ,. f i
Resolved, That a committee of three be app*" ^
to report on Text Books. [W. C. Hoiui -"
Beattie, and David Swobc Avere appek-- u
committee.] _ ,. -
Resolved, That the Executive Commit!-
quested to select suitable individuals to pr
read Lectures, at the next annual nieetic:
Association, on each of the following subject •
1st. School Discipline. ^ ■ f-i?
2d. The best method of Teaching Enrt
3u. The best method of Teacliing Spelm - .
4th. Tlie best method of Teaching AriiG-- ""
5th The best method ot Teaching IG a<Uy. ,
Resolved, That the thanks cf this Assoc'* w i[; .
returned to the members of the Baptist ftr -
odist Churches of this place, tor the m- ’ .
houses of worship, and that their respective ^
be requested to read this resolution oeto
congregations. . a gv
The Minutes were the n read and eonn-” . lC ;
on motion, the Association adjourned » 1
by the Rev. T. F. Scott. t.
T. B. SLADE, Fre-
O. L. Smith, Secretary.
A good deal of pains have been taken to ^ -rr I
certain Whig papers as about to abandon I
and go into Abolitionism.—Frankfort
wealth. " (-a- I
We are unable to concei\'e of any object ■ I
have in going into Abolitionism unless it 1 ^ ^ I
themselves in the way of getting patronage •> j
fierce adminiatratiom.—Louisville Journal :
wmmm