Washington City, August 22, 1850.
My Dear Hamlin,
I recd. yours of the 14th this morning. Doubtless you have, also, just recd. my
last to you, which answers in part the enquiries you make.
I have no faith at all in this administration. It has pursued
the Whig policy of Evasion thus far. The resolute face towards Texas was
assumed for the North. The appeal for a settlement of the boundary question,
when they well knew that settlement by Congress, except by millions for
nothing, was out of the question was for the south. It was as if our Fathers
had said to Tripoli, you have no right to hold our fellow citizens in bondage
and we will wage war with you if you do, and at the same time had said if you
will release half of them we will pay you so many millions & say nothing
about the rest. I hate oppression, but I despise truckling. I abhor the
doctrines of the extreme South, but I contemn Whig policy. I am not for any
union with any body who will not in good faith adopt and uphold the principles
of the Buffalo & Columbus platforms. I do not believe the Whigs can adopt
them for on other questions than that of Slavery they are democratic. I do not
believe the National! democratic
party will adopt them; for they hope more from treason to freedom than from
union with radical democrats. Let both these gang their gaits. I am for
maintaining our independent organization as a Jeffersonian Democratic Party
& let who will desert or give back maintaining it firmly.
I hoped that Judge Wood would put such an exposition of the
Columbus old Line Antislavery Resolution as would make his election an
antislavery democratic triumph. 1 wished to support him. I yet wish to do so.
But, at present, I wait for future developments. I look for the action of the
Free Dem. Convention held today with great interest. If it is really democratic
it will do much good.
I am anxious for the election of the free democratic
candidate in the 21st district. I suppose from the information I receive that Dr.
Townshend will be the man. I think his election of far greater importance to
Freedom than any success of one candidate for Governor over another. The
Freesoil Whigs, I suppose, will oppose him as they did me — I trust, with as
little success.
As to the withdrawal of Judge McLean's name, that lie can do
no harm. I have the Judge's own letters in my possession, which, if necessary,
will speak for themselves. Besides I am not in the least sorry that the Judge
was not our candidate. He could not have been elected: and the chances are
three to one that he would have declined it or withdrawn. If he could have been
elected who can say that he would have stood the test better than Webster or
Fillmore. He is quoted now as authority for Webster's Fugitive Slave bill. And
his decision in Indiana is such as I, though reposing the greatest confidence
in his personal integrity, cannot sanction.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 217-9
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