Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-31
w SILLIMAN, (Ohio,)
DANlELJACKSON, IN. York;
JOS. S. CABOT,
NATH. WEST, Jr., (Massachusetts.)
wAsmSoros, March 1qlh, 1885


Gentlemen In reply to your inquiry, whether nav
consent has been given be considered candidate for
Vice President would frankly state that such
seat has been, or can be given provided my to
he used ia opposition TO any nomination which may be
made by the democratic party.
Whether that party expresses its pre
feTcnces for particular candidates for those elevated
tons, by of general convention from most az
the States, in the absence Of that by local conven-
tons composed in both of delegates from the peo-
pie long and careful observation has convinced me that
such conventions thoogh not inaliibc are sill the su-
rest guides to the true state of public opnoa They
can seldom be useless except in extraordinary
such transcenden merit in individual as 10 produce
and without the test Of a convention, TO great
0nanimity ie Iis support.
In order to impart due moral and political force 10
the nominations made at these Conventions il is admitted
that they should be held under circumstances permitting
al tive members Of the party TO be fairly represented who
may choose to be. But them looking TO ceraiu
principles incident 10 human nature IL cannot be- er
pected that Tie Persos selected will happen nevery re-
spec 10 be the most acceptable to every or every
state Yet strong presumption arises in favor Of the
general htness and popularity % the person Sc
lected, and tic support Of sucta examinations be-
comes, like The original adoption Of our Con stitn
ton, question OF expedieney and compromise, and
- usually much less evil than departure from Them
Because, such departure only opens direct We
nae to divisions, and the consequent predomnanoe
either Of aEd doctrines, radically opposed to oar
views, Of coalition dangerous 10 GIe purity and
Perpetuity Of democratic principles hat tends inerfta
bly, to bring the Gna election ofthe highest officers in lie
Republic into Congress and thus TO deprive the people
Of iat direct and decisive influence in it, believed by
many 70 be 80 essential 80 the security Of rights and
More especially digsion on tls ssibioct arnono
the friends Of the present Administration 70 be dcpeca
90, II happen under circumstances which may exhibit
inc appearance OF ITS having arisen from QoograyLcai
determinations and jesousies Of ts Lenq csoeccd 10
derive strength from such fatal sources of diseord
II Is with honest pride that appeal be made 10
the history Of This country during The whole period which
has elapsed under our present form Of government 10
bear witness, that Uie democracy of 6e Norib v;,l
whom has been my happiness TO be more iati,note
connected, has never under the scverost trs and the
most painful temptations either proposed measures or
cherished opinions ia regard % io South or Wcsfter
great interests, distinguished citzcns-whch have
tended 10 foster those embcred sectional dvia ong or
feeling prejudice, or action dangerous to the dura
bihty Of The Union.
The cause IN which they have embarked has been that
OF free principles and equal rights as understood and
exPounded by the great IL their party from I7qs
70 the present moment and the continued triumph Of
lat cause By the harmonious and liberal policy Of lie
friends the only policy which, amidst surrounding porils
OF various kinds, that triumph IL far dcarer
70 them and myself than The elevation TO power Of snv
Individual, however highly respected or esteemed