Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-05-06
TO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OF
TIE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

FELLOW CITIZENS: | have no, troubled
you with political pretensions of any kind
for several years past; nor should now
present myselI to your notice asa candi-
date, but for several reasons which hope
will Justify me in your estimation for SO
doing. Last week, as some of you know,
and others have been informed through
the newspapers, upon reception ofintclIi.
gence that our late valuable representa-.
tive, DR.. VIM. NJ. Gwn, had declined the
canvass for Congress, an earnes; npplica.
ton was presented TO me TO take his place
upon tho democratic ticket; but learning
from him, that he had Withdrawn with a
view TO enable the northeastern part Of The
State 10 obtain an dditional candidate,
and thus to remove dissatisfaction suppos
ed to be prevailing in that quarter, re-
solved, approving, as did most cordially,
his magnanimols movement for the res
tora;ion Of harmony in our ranks, at once
20 rcfse the honor 30 cordially rendered
me. BIT when .favprei subsequently, with
an application TO become Il candidate for
. the United States Senate, perceiVing that
no such obstacle as that named was likely
to arise, and being moro than wiling, IN.
der existing circumstances, 10 participate
actively in the struggle about - ensne fer
the maintenance Of principles very dear
to my sensibillties, and which are evident.
ly in sore danger at this moment, have
concluded upon entering the field without
unnecessary delay, and in this uncere-
monoius mode. But for the reasons stat
ed, I should have been entirely willing to
remain in that state oil retirement in
which have dwelt conientsdly for sever.
al years past. indeed with slight exceptions
ever since the unfortunate campaign OF
1910; when had the honor Of being sus-
tanned by you upon the Presidential ticket,
and the poignant chagrn of being defeat
ed with you BY the prevalence of strange
and never.to.be forgotten influences,
whose effects, thank Heaven, have been
long since completely dispersed by the
"socond sober thoughts" ola patriotic and
intelligent people.
Ii is not at all my design at present to
enter upon any of the important questions
which now divide the two great political
parties Of the country; and on which it Is
my wish that the election Of U. States
Senator should mainly depend; hope to
be able to do my duty as champion of
democratic principles, whenever the cho-
sen advocates Ct the wing party shall have
fairly entered tho arena Of conflict
Then. side by side, and shoulder to shoul.
der, wi every democrat who is willing to
do battle for our cause, whether q competl-
tor for senatorial honors, or less ambi-
tious struggler for democratic ascendency,
ifHeaven shall spare my life, | viii PIT
forth all my energies, both Of mind and
body, freely, fully, and fearlessly, against
all who may be found marching in the
ranks ofour adversarics.
/ deem it proper here to declare, that i,
is no part OF the plan of operation which
have mark ed ont for myself, TO enlist ia
discussion Of the rival pretentions of Mr.
Calhoun and Mr.. Van Buren,, for the Pres.
idency Of the Union. Il is evident tina,
one Of these gentlemen will be the next
President Of tho u. States, and that one
will tie certlinly the fortunate man, who
shall receive the nomination of the Ma.
tional Democratic Convention. Either
of them ,Dould, in NY judgment, make a
better President than any third person
mho can be selected from, the rhole list o.
oar public men; and, Whatever may be the
course of Others am resolved not 10 be
drawn into the statement of objections to
either oflhem, believing it 10 be both ju.
dicious and patriotic not TO incur the haz-
ard of eufeebling my limited capability o.
advocating the claims of the man whoever
he may be, that shall in the end become
the nominee, by antecedent detracli1I
from his character and pretensions. /
shall be my agreeable duty rather TO dc
fend either and both of these noble demo
> cratic chieftains from nssailment of ever,
kind, without regard TO the quarter whenc,