Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-14
BALTIMoRE. Sept. ~

az Tue meeting OF Inc convention al O.
clock + Nj the following communication
from Mr.. WRIT was received:
Gentlemen The unanimous resolution
oil The n ational Anti-masonic Convention
assembled at tins place, nominating me as
their candidate for the Office OF President of
the United States, at the ensuing election, is
AN honor very grateful TO me, as a proof of
confidence from 50 respectable a body, and
quite as unexpected as it is grateful. NV
pursuits, habits and inclinations, have reno
we'd me so far frora the political eXcitements
and contentious of the day, and | know so
wen, from close personal observation OF
IL years, how little of attraction there is
| IN The Office otPresident of the United States.
10 any man who values his o~R peace that it
was as lar removed from my wishes as nv
expectations, that il would dccurto any por-
ton otmy fellow citizens topresent my name
10 The consideration Of my countrymen for
that Office. Not only have | never sought
! the Office, but have, long since, looked at
| 1T with lar more OF dread than of desire, be-
ing fully aware ofits fearful responsibilities
and OF the fact, demonstrated by past expe-
rience, that no degree olpurity and intelli-
gence that can be eXerted in the discharge of
It's duties. can protect lis possessor from mis-
representations and aspersions.
Give me leave 10 add, gentlemen, that one
OF the last quarters from which could have
anticipated such an honor, is the Anti Ma
sonic Convention; because, adopting, (too
hastily, am happy TO find ) the current ru-
mours of the day, had supposed that the
very principle OF your union was war of
lndlscriminate prescription against all per-
sons throughout the United States, who had
ever borne the name of Mason; that you
would put in nomination no person who had
ever been Mason himself, and who would
not, moreover, pledge himselfto become a
party osuch war of indiscriminate eXter-
mlnation, and WELD the appointing power of
the Office under your dictation who would
not, in short, become the President of your
party, instead OF being the President of tire
! United States.
ann happy TO find this is an error; for
should have been grieved for my country, 10
see the rise of any party that should affect TO
seize upon the rens OF government & thro'
the agency ofan automaton President, TO d.
rect its powers TO the vindctive purposes of
/ party prescription and persecution and |
should be grleved, for myself, TO learn that
there had been any thing in my life s. char
acter that Could mark me out as fit instru-
ment Tor the execution of such purpose.
am relieved from both these apprehens;ons
by hearing, since your assemblage here, that
you have no other object in view than, in
effect, 10 assert the supremacy ofthe laws of
the land that you seek 10 disturb no portion
OF the peaceable and virtuous citizens of our
country in the enjoyment of those social
rights which are secured TO them by. the
constitution and laws but on the contrary,
that the principle which has embodied YOU,
IS one OF self-deience, IN the enjoyment of
those rights, that having become convinced
Z hNrf ali cfsln 10 al
merouS and respectable witnesses, in the trials
which have been agitating the State OF New
York, for several years, and by your inves-
legations consequent on those disclosures that
the Masonic Society has become tremen-
dous political engine, with the power and the
disposition TO set the laws of the land at def
ance, 10 mark out and sacrifice lis victims at
pleasure, and with impunity, and TO silence
allfndividual opposition by the mysterious /
terrors which difiiiges Throughout the COM /
munity, you have come TO the determination /
TO root out this noXious institution, ifyou can .
by the use Of 1.-THE peaceable, legal and con-
StHuftonHt means an your pO,Cer that the ,
most effective means of this character which [.
has presented itselfto you, is by the exercise .
OF your elective franchise, thatdceming eve /
ry man unit for Office, who, in accordance /
with the principles established on the trials .
and obligations as superior 10 his obligations
to the constitution and laws of his country.
you will support no man for any Office who
holds that principle or adhercs 10 the society
whose principle it is that you consider a
mans allegiance TO his country his highest
earthly obligation, and that no man is fit TO
be trusted with one of the Offices cfthc coun-
try Who will permit doubt 10 rest OIL the
fact of his allegiance,
These understand TO be your principles,
and see nothing in them which does not
commend them TO every man whose mind
and heart are sound for there can be no
question among reasonable men that in free
government like ours, the constitution and
laws are our only sovereign that the peace.
order, prosperity and happiness of our people
depend on The steady, faithful and cflcctual
administration of our laws that any secret
society which, by the force of mysterious
oaths or obligations, and by the extent oil It's
combination, seeks 10 disturb the action of
those laws, TO set them at defiance, to ride [.
over and control them, TO usurp the govern
ment, to hold the lives, peace and happiness
OIL society at their mercy, and TO establish
reign OF terrier over The initiated and unini-
tlated, is political monster as fearful as the .
InUiSiRe Tribunal OF Germany, or the In
QUESTION of Spain, and ought 10 I've extirpat.
ed without delay, by the use cfthe peaceful
means which the constitution and laws of
our country furnish am further sure that.
IN our country, it is but necessary 10 estab-
llah the fact of the existence ofsuch society
to ensure its annihilation.
But, gentlemen, although your resolution