Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-12

! We hsps met mere said Mr. E., for he pubiie sooa
and our ovn individual feelings must give way Wheh
that can be served After offering the let'er OF ms
DISTINGUISHED friend and ellow-ctizen ne would say
at e there was an individual present VINO, Ike hih
felt disappointed let HIM lay 1t aside ihat man IS no
LOST 10 his country His whole life has been spent or
lis good and he will not abandon me party - "i'ch
he belongs because they had not lhougn' proper ~
make hun their chief lie believed yet, that tina: md
,dna was the choice Of the American people, Tor The
second high Office in the Government ana et us
friends then 90 homc proclaim ms worth, anu as ne
has beaten his political opponents before nnder s'milai
| circumstances, he can do II again, We Ah'"' sa'u
MIR h. that he has strong claims on his conntrymen-
He has strong claims the hearts OF the American
people-of the aborng class IN winch was 10 ne iouho
the Democracy of the country. lie was porn w ua'
class-raised among, and was literally among lhen =
Born in Kentucky at the most evcntiul period OF her
history in he midst of the Indian wars, he received at
his birth that energy of character winch has accompa
med him through tenone but the brave went 10 tnal
State al that period II then no place Tor towards;
il was the habitation only OF the brave, ana IL was
among them he caught that lndomitnblc spirit and
those generous feelings which have much endeared
him To his countrymen.
know, said Mr.. b. that he is but man, and that
for moment he NAV feel the sting OF disappointment
st;nn of death will separate him from the party with
which he has acted through life | present. SAID he,
the letter of Col. Johnson, and III dong so, am con-
WINGED that if there unknd feeling in this house,
IL will ulSlppcar NGare tn9dBeu III 'aue'
for the rood of the country; let not that be para
lived by the slightest division among ourselves Mr..
B. then handed the letter to the chair and It was read
as follows
Cry or WAsIuSGToS, April y, lc40
Gentlemen: The near approach of the National De-
mocratic Convention in Baltimore, the 9TH OF May,
induces me to address yon. The object OF that meet
me is To nominate candidates for the next election Of
President and Vice President of the United States
In relation TO the Presidency, am happy to lind II is
that tarn kplIl hn
The leading and only point in which any discussion IS
anticipated, is that of the Vice Presidency.
From the situation in which | am now placed, II
seems TO be proper, that my sentiments ana views
should be definitely known. The first question VIII De-
whether The Convention will 20 into the nomination.
On this pont il is said there will he difference OF
opuion Whether the Convention shall make noln-
nation or leave it each State to make ITS own seiec
ton wish my friends to understand distinctly, tha
that will be a matter with which am not to interfere
will be perfectly satisfied with the course the I"h
venton shall adopt and, in any event, must peg VI
them not TO suffer any feelings of parlav Tor me- 10
cnangcr the principles which we are united IN sustain
ing Nv sentiment has ever been, that III hepupl'c,
citizen has any claims upon the people, 10 election
for any office irrespective of the benefit and advantage
resulting to themselves All offices ought to be Tor tne
good of the people, and not for the incumbentS' IL
special services ever merit special rewards those re-
wards should be given III any other way, IMAM 'ha
which would cndanger the great fundamental primer
pies of liberty.
To REGARD highly responsible elective office, as re-
war;; for past services TO regard the elective iran
elise as iorcsal!cd by the claim OF Justice and, II IS
therefore rrpuenant 10 Republican principle. II sueh
claim be urged IN favor OF any other, on any "c'
SION | am conscious that nv humble services merit
nothing cvond what they have already received 80
far as past services have elected the principles OF the
man, they will be regarded as pledge Tor his iuture
course and beyond this they ought not to be consider
ed especially in relation to myself.
Iii; Tho RI of
TO me The debt of gratitude, if 1t ever existed, mas
been more than paid All the obligation that remains,
is from me them The confidence which thcy nave
manifested and the kindness shown to me, have nPos-
ed obligation of gratitude IN my bosom, wh'ch can
never cancel There is al this time, great interest at
stake Ii is the support of the principles IN winch we
are united, and upon which the Government has long
been administered. Those principles have been my
rde for more than 81 years, during "lich tnc nave
been continually afoat upon the tenpestuouS sea OF
political life They are much dear 10 me, than
nv own elevation, that of any other person. de-
sire all Of nv friends in the Convention to regard their
preservation as infinitely important than the qua.
LITIGATION of any private friendship
have not solicited nomination, nor shall de-
cline IT, am as ever have bcen in the hands OF
friends and w.ctzcns. 1t is no less my pleasure
than il is nv duty 10 make the avowal, that wish 10
be entirely at their disposal, and shall be perfectly con-
tent with their award IT, in their opinion, the great
urinciples for which contend viii be more likely 10
/ u
in their opinion another selection Will he more likely 10
ensure success they will make another selection H.
in their opinion, to make nomination oil ice RE-
sd,n and leave the selection to the pleasure ana pre-.
ference Of the Republicans Of the several States, viii
rive most STRENGTH 10 our friends, the convention
will take that course; and in either event. snail
continue to act with perfect integrity TO those primer
pies and to the friends with whom ! have hitherto
acted in sustaining them. In assuming tins position,
| do not wish 10 BE- understood as declaring myself
,nscnsiblc to the honours which arise from public
confidence can regard the man but a msanthrope,
who is perfectly Indifferent To the applause or the
censure of his fellow.men. II is quality TO winch
make no pretcnson. Next TO my own conscience, the
many testimonials which have received OF the appro-
baton of my rllowczcns, is the richest reward LOT
nv past services, which my ambition ever asPred;
and this feeling has been the principal cause, tor some
wears past of my continuance IN public HE II IS also
my greatest consoation that in my present situation,
while il has been my constant effort 10 discharge MS
responsible duties with fidelity, have so Tar succeed
cd al least as to have avoided censure nave hea1a
of no disposition ia make different selection on me
ground that these duties not satisfactorily perform
ed But, dcarcr than all these considerations are the
prinripIes involved in the approaching election ihey
ought 10 be sustained without regard to any ndiv'dual
partialitcs or feelings and under this conviction,
hope my friends will feel perfect freedom OF acuon
in the Convention
/ IL is with sentiments such have expressed, and
under an earnest desire that the lahors OF the Gonvcn-
ton NAV tend Ia the advancement and success OF onr
cherished principles in the pending contest that nave
felt constrained address 10 you this hasty letter.
You WILL Of course feel al perfect liberty TO make snci
use OF il shall, in your Judgments be calculated 10
promote harmony III the Convention, and give strength
10 our cause throughout our beloved country.
Most respectfully, yonr friend and eIlow.cltlzen,
\ Ri Nj. JOHNSON.
The Honorable Linn Boyd, and the Honorable Wn'
liam o. Butler, members Of Congress from Kentucky,
and Delegates TO the Baltimore Convention.
fior drl1fr which hpssrS AShmcad oil Ta
Brcdin Mcdary of Ohio, Kaufman of Ohio, Howard
of Indiana Smith Of Indiana, Merchant OF fern'
Clay Of Alabama, Mccain, Smith of Maine, Grundy
Thompson of Miss took part: the second resolution Oh
the Committee was unanimously adopted
On motion by Mr. Clay of Ala, the records OF INC
proceedings of the nominating Committee was ordered
to be spread upon the Journals OF Convention, ana &c
form part of its proceedings: after which
On motion by Mr.. Grundy the report OF the n"mIna
ting Committee unanimously adopted
The business of the Convention having been this
gone thrnugh WITH the Convention was scvcraly ad'
dressed BY Nj Thomson Of New Jersey, Messrs Mel