Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-07


cause our common residence in the same State
appears te me to render you the most appro-
pirate repository and organ ofwhat wiahnow
10 say.
The Convention at Harrisburgh TO desig.
nate candidates Of the Opposition to the Pres
ent Federal Administration, Tor the offices Of
President and Vice-P President Of the United
States, has been recommended, and the propri.
etyof it has been generally concurred in BY all
who agree as to the necessity of a change IN
the General Administration. Il appeared to.
me to be the best, if not the only practicable
method Of reconcIling and uniting those who,
coinciding in the general principle, entertained
different views as to the most suitable candid
ates for those high Offices. and / have accord
ingly frequently expressed, and now repeat the
expression of my conviction of the expediency
Of an entire and cordial acquiescence in the
recommendations of the Convention.
In the mean time, appeals directly and Indi-
rectIy have been made to me by highly re-
spectacle Convention holden in Pennsylvania,
and by private individuals, to decline giving my
consent to the use of my name upon the ground
that distinguished ciIizen of the State Of O.
hio is the first choice ofthe Opposition in Penn
sylvania, and in the opinion Of thai Convention
would be more likely to conciliate general sup
port than | should | have been also addressed
By various respectable and intelligent citizens
of New York, directly and indirectly, recon-
mending me to decline the contest in behafof
another eminent citizen. who has been distin-
guished in both the military and civil service Of
the United States.
Whilst / have been thus urgently but re-
specially approached, numerous private citi-
zens and public meetings and conventions in
various parts ofthe United States Zone ofthese
conventions, indeed, in Pennsylvania ITSELF
have done me the honor to express their conf
dence nme, and to intiTnate their wishes that
might be the candidate of the Opposition fol-
the Office of Chief Magistrate.
1t is perfectly manifest that cannot comply
with all those conflicting opinions and wishes,
nor; apprehend. with any one of them with
out disobliging the others.
Under these embarrassing circumstances,
have thought it most advisable to leave to the
Convention at Harrisburg the free selection o.
candidates as being the assembly to which, by
common consent, that important duty has been
referred. Representing, as it probably viii al
parts of the United States, bringing together
| the feelings and views ofall, and comparing
and weighing the local information which il
will derive from every portion, 1t viii be mos
competent to make nomination acceptable tc
the great majority of IFS constituents: That i
viii be faithful to the high trust confided to 1T
Judgment and patriotism, cannot be doubted
and having full view of the whole ground, i
will be more likely to make a selection agreea
bic to the great body of the opposition than a
ny separate convention could do, however en-
| lightened and patriotic it may be. If the Penn
sylvania Convention to which have Just aLu
ded, be right IN surprising that the distinguish
ed citizen whom it prefers would be more like.
i " to be successful than any other, he ought t.
| be nominated, and undoubtedly, for that rea
son, win be nominated by the Harrisburg
Convention, should it entertain the same opin
ION.
With a just and proper sense of the hlgl
honor Of beng voluntarily called to the ofici
/ of President of the United States by a great
free, and enlightened people, and Profound,
grateful to those of my fellow-citizens who ar
desirous to see me placed IN that exalted an
responsible station, must nevertheless say, i
entire truth and sincerity. that i the delibera
ton Of the Convention shall lead them to tn
choice ofanother as the candidate ofthe Oppo
sition, far from feeling any discomfort, the nom
nation viii have my best wishes, and receiv
my cordial support.
And, gentlemen, hope that you, my friend
and neighbours viii excuse the liberty 1 tax
| in expressing to you my anxious desire thai
discarding all attachments or partially to me
and guided solely by the motive ofrescning on
country from the dangers which now encom
pass it, you win heartily unite IN the selectio
of that citizen, although it should not be me
who may appear to be most likely, by his cleo
ton, to bring about salutary change inthe ad
ministration of the General Government
change without which we shall be Knocked b
the forms and stript Of the substantial benefit
of free institutions.
From the tenor of this note, scarcely nee
observe that you are at perfect liberty to max
such use of it as in your discretion may seeI
proper.
am, with high respect, your friend,
HENRY CLAY.
TosGovernor Thomas MetcdG Gen. Lest
Combs, and the other Delegates from KeI
lucky to the Harrisburgh Convention.