Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-10-03


vicNsrrRo, AGO. 10, 1889.
GrsTLxnrx-I have been honorcd By the re-
eeiPt Of your letter OF The 18Th OF June, trans
ntuos 70 me copy Of the proceedings of the
Whigs o. Madison county, at n public meeting
he'd By lhem "lor the purpose OF recommending
easdIdaie 60 succeed the Hon. II. J. wALKKR
an the Senate Of the United States"
My own domination for that Office of h.sh ho-
neur and trust was entirely unexpected, and al
ooee gtaiiiicsi and perpieled rue. I am net IN
seaside To that ambition which seeks the good
opinion Of others, and Is gra,ihed By its e1hibi-
non, even when eolored by kind paIiialily and
friendly prejudice. That the Wings of Madison
deem me worthy Of occupying n seat m the high
eat dehberatiye body on earth, has not failed 10
awaken the most grateful emotions. But was
pefpt red as 10 the course proper Tor rle To pur-
sue. had never INDUCED the vanity OF sup
posing that my SERVERS could BE- OF sufficient
importanee 20 require nv continuance IN polit-
heal lie any longer than my inclina,iops prcmpi-
cd. Accordingly, AFTER mature reflection, I bad
long since determined Ia abandon, nj the earliest
opportunity, all participation. except rs private
citizen, IN political affairs; in the contests Of
which even my limited observation had discover
cd imteclhiy too frequently pass fcr capacity,
hypocrisy for candor. and coid-hear;ci selfish
ness rcr ardent AMI diSinicreSied patriotism. Po-
A'caI science has become, for the most part, the
science OF deception Not Only are the dictates
Il
themselves are dsfed. Physical truths no lcSs
fhan moral, which have for ages been consider
- iupregnsbe, fall like bcleasnred cities before
iae cunning devices Of modern political watfarr
The ma1sU!eum Of history afford, 40 protection
Tor the remains cf the past; Political Sorcery
eToses from them foul spirits which never aeti-
aled or controlled their cxiSieEcc; and the cvenIs
"f former age are compelled To bear false wit
ne5s before The present. What happened yester-
CAV IL denied to-day, aud plain modest truth -
stared ont o: courteuance ny audacious men
dac1ty. The conclusion, therefore, is not TO be
'Fondered Al, that. in these dark and corrupt
isIes, pirate happiness and public service are
Incompatible.
Both inclination and private interest forbade
re to abandon my cherished and ranidly-matur-
iag plans OF future life, and adncnished me OF
The rashneAs OF again Plursing among the Wild
breakers OF pubic opinion, where the baIque
thAf moves straightforward - almost sure 10 DC
Svamped, while the iacking and vecring crafl
by adapting itself TO each sudden change Of wind
nad wave, gains the Port in safety. On the other
haad. could not forget the Obligations which
had me 20 our beloved Siate-ohligliions that
snail never call upon me IN vain when they POINT
out mode BY which eau lqudaic any portion
Of the heavy claim Mississippi Justly holds A.
RaInN ms NeIther was I regardless OF the
gratitude due 10 the Wings FOR the bold untir-
IaR, and successful warfare which they have
~~ged tgains; The party IN Pover-a party I'M
der lbs binc!Il influence of whose destructive
theories aud corrupt practices the prosperity Of
This great nation has witarred and died. Above
all, remembered with pride and exultation that
the wigs OF Mississippi had preserved the honor
~ the Stale, when the opposite party Esau like,
wa BARGAINING /, away tor a mess OF political
portage. They, and they alone are entitled 10
the immortal praise OF having warled of the
FIRST iraiiorous blow aimed nj the elective fan
eiiss II was ben-a;h their stern response that
the serVle tools OF the President shIuuk ahashed,
and II was upon their mandate they Gursender-
cd The rich Jewel they had stolen.
Me the Wings have already honored sr be-
wand my humble deserts and, IN retiring from
political contests DID not doubt that shoa!d
be succeeded By those who would with equal
7ea' and RmP!er capacity, fight the great battle
Of pnncIp!e.
hesitaied, therefore, on receiving your COM
mhhea'icn, not from any question Of nv duty m
Aacriheing private and personal considerations 10
The success Of The good cause, hut from fears
lest the paruaiites OF INV friends in Madison had
betrayed them into an iniudciouS selection
FROM the subsequent action Of the Wings IN
other paris Of the State, however, have been
forced 10 the conclusion thai, whether ju6icous-
~ or not, they are desrous of placing me in
nomination. Being convinced Of the fact from
the proceedings OF various public meetings as
ven az the general expression Of the Wing
press, do not hesitate any longer in placing mr-
sell IN the hands of our political friends, with
the distinct understanding that, inasmuch as
acee &c to their wishes, not from motives Of per-
Ional sgErandizemcn:. but from = sincere desire
20 30 ny GUY TO The country, my name shall
~ oaee he Withdrawn from nomin alton. should
subsequent observation indicate, as II very PRO.
bao.Y ~i'l, some more appropriate candidate.
The reasonable license Of an epis,le will hard
w admit of an extended exposition Of political
doctrines, nor, indeed do CONSIDER II the most
desirable channel fcr their ineueauon. Nei;her
DO deem 10 requisite for me. on the present oc-
casioa, 20 90 into any labored dis1ui,i,on upon
subjects which have had the good fortune to
discuss before the people al large m almost eve
~ county Of the STATE | need only say thai
my oPiAioRS IA relation IA the present Admins
lfai'"o and It's measures hhvs been greatly forti-
ned by the observation and experience Of the
last year. The Developments which have been
inade N relation To the conduct Of the financial
affairs oi the Governmsnt have asionshed aud
shocked the whole nation. II IS now a matter
not OF mere surmise or partisan inyeciivc, but OF
solemn Demonstration, based upon admitted and
undcnlahle facts, Investigated, voucbcf Tor. and
Published gHter the deliberate sanction Of The
popular branch % Congress, HAT tie Treasury
department. ~ rotten 90 The core; that II "a bur
NE 1bder Ia EIrcyiivc plWer. and exercises II,
h'gi functions, not Tor the good Of the country
bot ~ T1Yiy-n0t honestly, fJC the general wei
iare. bat Wickciiy aad coTgnptly Tor the mnsi
sinis'sr purpose Since Mr.. Van Burrf. Ascent.
90 ne ehau ri state u has exhibited a system OF
leclahoa aud connlvance Unprecedented ~ any
G1vefnmcnt The correspondence between Il,
ehief and sghcrtlinaies is ufcnsi,c ~ the mora
s'nse. and i1suiiiHg 70 tic Intelligence 81 tho
People iis open end mblushiug prod eary
would have shccaed even ihe l0o.e noi,ons ol
that most venal ~ ministers, Slr Roben Wal
pole, wh0se political ma1in was, chat ever,
r7iu has hiv prier~ Corruption has been tr.cei
no; m-fciy "a the dDors bat into the vcrT recess
- ri The temple By The footprints upon ths
q 5or ~ have discovered. a. dad The Gladden.,
"i OH. that ih- rich offerings laid by the Peop,
upon Do shrine have been carried nWay az,
r7nru-nrt, not b. the god bat By lhr jRgviin.
priests.
Undcf ogdinary circumranccs. sra IN osdins
~ Times, The developments in which I aliuJ,
''Inld haze pFostfsisd any Administration. hov,
'ger powerful. Unfortunately, the deep ri tires.