Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-04-23

nant with that unreserved communication Of
my opinions and wishes in relation to public
affairs which ] have always maintained with
my political friends.
Having for wears been increasingly assaulted
with the inputation of intriguing for the Pre-
sldency, felt 1t as due to myself, when first
nominated, as we'll as those by whom that
| nomination was made, to put these charges to
test, by declaring, in the face of my fellow ci-
| tizens, that had neither solicited the aid nor
sought the support of any man, for that high
and responsible station; unless my frank re.
plies to the interrogatories of my countrymen
in relation to public measures and political
principles, together with my constant and sim
cere efforts to make myself worthy of their re-
gard and confidence, were liable to that con-
struction. For the truth Of that declaration.
appealed to the hundreds Of honorable men
who composed the then recent Convention-to
the numerous editors and politicians through
out the Union who had distinguished me by
their preference-and to my personal cores
! ponder is and friends, not excepting the very
considerable number Of persons once my init
mate associates who, ia the fluctuations of po-
| iiics had been converted into opponents. l
affirmed that in none of these classes, or in any
other, was there a man who could truly say
with whom had entered or sought to enter
into any arrangement to bring about the nomi-
nation had then received, or to secure my ele-
walton to the Office Of Chief Magistrate of the
Union. took occasion to add, that trusted
| should be excused by the liberal minded CT
| all parties for thus speaking of my own course
| Of conduct in reference to point on which
| had been 50 frequently assailed, and had hith-
erto continued slent-most especially as
| alone could answer for it in relation to all my
countrymen, though thousands might be ready
| to answer for themselves.
The result of this appeal was such as might
| confidently be expected from the truth in which
| it was founded; and not voice was heard in
contraventon Of the position | had assumed.
| 1t did not however relieve me from the assaults
| Of my opponents: and in this was not dsap-
| pointed; for had sufficient experience in such
| matters 10 satisfy me that, as long as conlln-
| ued to merit the confidence Of my friends,
should receive the condemnation Of my foes,
| and that few political men are praised by the
| latter until they are about abandoning the for
| mer. 1t however compelled them to change
| their position and adopt new weapons Of war
| fare.
The feelings and principles by which my
conduct was regulated, will also guide it in the
| future and my friends may rest assured that
l will never place it out Of my power to repeat,
with perfect truth. the declaration at that time
| felt myself called on to make.
| | did not on that occasion, nor do | now, pro-
| fess to be Indifferent TO station to which every
| citizen Of the United States may aspire, by
| lust and honorable means, without interfering
| in the least with the rights Of others and that
| because did not then nor do now, cherish
such feeling. To make myself worthy of the
office Of Chief Magistrate OF the most power
| full confederation of states that ever existed,
| and occupy the highest station among men, if
| it could be gained without the sacrifice of my
| principles or my integrity. was, on the contra
| nv, the object of my most earnest desire, as 1t
| may properly be that of every worthy member
| Of this great community, where no man Is pre-
cluded from obtaining the highest honors in the
gift of his fellow citizens.
The present occasion seems to me one which
| not only justi6es but renders it incumbent on
me to express myself with that perfec, frank
ness, BY which communications Of this kind
! between friends and brethren Of the same prin-
cipes, should in my opinion, always be char
actcrized. l will, therefore, with your per-
| mission, proceed TO state my sentiments on
this last head little more at large.
That am deeply and gratefully impressed
with the zeal and consistency Of that regard
and confidence. so fully manifested by the
General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as
well as by many others Of the Union, under
circumstances apparently so discouraging. you
cannot doubt for moment, it is, on the con-
trary, in the unfeigned respect | cherish for
| those who have offered me these testimonials
| of continued attachment, that find the s,ron-
gest motives to NEE. them at the Threshold,
! by free and frank expression of my views
and feelings on the subject, indicated in these
declarations Of my friends.
beg you, therefore, to believe me when
inform YOU that the personal interest which
| feel in the selection of candidate for the next
presidency, is restricted to consideration Of
| the ultimate influence it may have on the final
success Of those great principles on which l
| have earnestly labored to administer this GO
vernment-which have ever believed, and
still believe, essential to the freedom and hap
pness Of our common country, and with which
| have ALWAYS been content to stand or fall.
Although might never feel myself at liber-
! ty to shrink from any and every responsibility
which it may please the Democracy of the
! United States to impose on me, and which is
consistent with the respect due to the people on
account of the high station have held by their
| choice, should, nevertheless. be not merely
| as well but better, satisfied at seeing those
great objects accomplished under the auspices
| of some one OF the numerous names to be found
in the ranks of Democracy, whose talents.
character, and services, though they richly
merit. have not yet received, the highest re-
wards of the people.
NV political friends every where will, hope
and believe, do me the justice to regard this
declaration. made in the fuIlness OF grateful