John C. Darby to Tobias Gibson regarding a presidential election and its candidates, approximately 1854.
Production
[Place of production not identified : producer not identified, 1854]
Physical Description
1 online resource.
Local Notes
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Notes
Collection: The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859.
Tobias Gibson was a plantation owner and owned four estates: Greenwood, Magnolia, Hollywood, and Live Oak. He resided primarily in Lexington, Kentucky, but was one of the wealthiest cotton and sugar planters of the Mississippi Valley.
Electronic reproduction. Marlborough, Wiltshire : AM, 2014. Digitized from a copy held by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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Summary
The date is inferred from the election years in which the politicians mentioned ran for office. Discusses various political figures such as William Seward, Francis P. Blair (former Free Soiler), Lewis Kossuth, James Buchanan, Daniel Webster and Lewis Cass. Darby supports Buchanan, and opposes those who advocate abolition. He also discusses plans for railroads in Louisiana and suggest two separate lines for New Orleans. His observations on the changes occurring in the country assume a prophetic tone: the Almighty Ruler of the Universe seems to be bringing about some great change in the affairs of mankind; & we are all working in the dark. It is to his mercy & goodness alone that we must trust. But I fear that it may turn out that as in the days of Sodom & Gomorrou [sic] there will not be found righteous men enough to save the world. The Earth was never more abandoned to vice & immorality, to infidelity & false philosophy than at this day. The first four pages of the letter are missing.