CHARLESTON, [S. C.], 8th June, 1855.
MY DEAR HUNTER: Some weeks since I rec[eive]d y[ou]r letter
and thank you for y[ou]r efforts in behalf of my brother. I seldom ask anything
and rather opine, that my last request
is made. I sincerely congratulate you on the success of the Virginia Election.
I feared the result, and believe the victory truly auspicious. If the Know
Nothings had succeeded, if the Frontier State of the Southern Confederacy had
"given-way" our
institutions would have been placed in great hazard; as it is, "They are
by no means safe." Fanaticism never goes-back and for the first time in
our history, abolitionism has the ascendant in Congress.
I see that Senator Wilson has declared, That henceforth no
Slave owner, or pro-slavery man shall be President. As the Democratic party are
a minority in the North, and as the entire South will most probably act as one
man in the next Election, it is essential that we have a Southern man for our
Candidate. The sooner we make up the Issue, the better. If we are to be in a
hopeless minority, and the Slave States to remain "in statu quo," We must share the fate of the British West
Indies. Not only will slavery be abolish[e]d in the District, but in the
Territories. Not only additional Slave States be excluded, but free ones made
Ad Libitum until the constitution is altered and the entire labour of the South
be destroyed. This cant be termed speculation.
The effect is as sure as the result of any cause can be. It is my sincere
desire that the Union may be saved, but its salvation depends upon the next
Presidential Canvass. Virginia must lead off. There should commence an active
correspondence between the politicians of the Old Dominion and the Leaders of
the Northern Democracy. Before we go into a Caucus we should have a distinct
understanding upon all the leading points. Otherwise we should have only a
Southern Caucus, irrespective of parties, and proceed to an ulterior organization.
I hope Wise may pursue the true course, and "entrenous," I hope that his ambition may not be so stimulated
by his late Triumph as to aspire to the purple. Virginia ought to give the
President. Her position at this time is potential, and amongst her own people
there should be entire unanimity before going into Caucus. Remember that the
nominating Caucus will meet during the next Session of Congress, not a Twelve
month hence. I am not a politician, but I deem the times so pregnant, that, if
alive next Winter, my efforts shall be given to prepare the Southern mind for
the Presidential Election. South Carolina, whilst she keeps in the rear of
Virginia, must nevertheless be represented in the Caucus. She must no longer be
isolated. Thank God, the Cuba question seems settled for awhile. It promised
much distraction, and I employed my pen, for the first time these many years,
in the endeavor to show the Southern States that the acquisition of Cuba was
not to their benefit. One of my pieces or letters was transferred to the
National Intelligence[r]. I am writing you from the sick Chamber of Mrs. Holmes
who has for a long period been confin[e]d to her room. Alas with little
prospect of a recovery. I hope that y[ou]r own family are well.
_______________
* A Representative in Congress from South Carolina,
1839-1851.
SOURCE: Charles Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report
of the American Historical Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol.
II, Correspondence of Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), p. 164-5
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