Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-02-09
MIR. wEBsrERs LETTER.


Lyman, and eleven hundred others, Wing ,
citizens Of the State Of New Hampshire, re-
questing permission to use his name before
the American people, as candidate for the
highest Office in their gift.
Washington, Jan. 3, 1914.
Gentlemen,-I have received your letter,
requesting permission to present my name
to the People, as a candidate for the Office
Of President of the United States, subject to
the future wise, deliberate action of the
Wing National Convention of 1874"
1t would be disingenuous to withhold an
expression Of the grateful feelings awakened
by letter, containing such request, so
very numerously signed, and coming from
among those who have known me through
life. No one can be insensible to the dis
tinction Of being regarded, by any respecta-
Bile number Of his fellow-citizens, as among
those from whom choice of President might |
be made, with honor and safety TO the coun-
try.
The office of President is an Office, the
Importance of which cannot be too highly
estimated lie who fills it, necessarily ex-
ercises great influence, not only on all the |
domestic interests of the country, on its !
foreign relations, and the support Of its
honor and character among the nations Of
the earth, but on that, which is Of the very
highest import to the happiness of the peo-
pie, the maintenance of the Constitution it.
SELF and the prosperous continuance of the
4 Government under it, Our systems are pc
culiar and while capable, as experience
has shown, Of producing the most favorable
| l. o..l ,.I, 80.
ton, they arc, nevertheless, exposed to Pc
culiar dangers. We have six and twenty
States, each possessing within itself powers
of government, limited only by the Consti-
tuition Of the United States and we have a
general government, to which are con6ded
high trusts, to be exercised for the benefit
of the people of all the States 1t is obvious
that this division Of powers, itself the result
of novel and most delicate political opera
ton, can be preserved only by the exercise
of wisdom and pure patriotism. The Con-
sti,ution of the United States stands on the
basis of the peoples choice. 1t must re-
main on that basis so long as il remains at
all. The yeneration and love, which are
entertained for it, will be increased, by
every instance of wise, prudent, impartial
and parental administration. On the other
hand, they will be diminished by every adj
: ministr alton, which shall cherish local d.
visions, devote itself to local interests, seek
TO bend the influence Of the Government to
personal or partIzan purposes, or which
shall forget that all patriotism Is false and
spurious, which does not look with equal
eve to the interests Of the whole country,
and all its parts, present and to come
Z hardly know what an American statesman
! should much dePrcootc, on his own ac-
count as well as on account of his country,
as that the constitution of the United States,
now the glory Of our country and the admi-
> ration of the world, should become weakened
: in its foundations, perverted in its principles,
or fallen and sunk, in nations regard and
: a nations hopes, by his own folles, errors
or mistakes. The Constitution was made
for the good of the country; this the people
!, know Its faithful administration promotes
u that good; this the people know. The peo-
pie will themselves defend it against all for
: eign power, and all open force; and they
u will rightfully hold to just and solemn ac-
count, those TO whose hands they commit it,
n and in whose hands it shall be found to be
:, shorn Of single beam Of its honor or de-
= prived of particle of its capacity for useful
> and they expect it to be honestly admins
tered. At the present moment, it is an OBJ
ject of general respect, confidence and af-
lection. Questions have arisen, however,
i and are likely to arise again, upon the ex-
: tent Of its powers, or upon the line which
u separates the functions of the General Gov
L eminent from those of the State Govern
: ments; and these questions will require,
c whenever they may occur, not only hrmness,
5 but much discretion, prudence and impair.
II TALLY in the Head of the National Execu.
;, tive. Extreme counsels or extreme opin.
q ions on either side, would be very likely, il
e followed or adopted, to break up the well
+ adjusted balance of the whole And he who
y has the greatest confidence in his own judg
Is ment or the strongest reliance on his own
% good fortune, may yet be well diffident of hi:
&c ability to discharge the duties of this trust
'e in such a manner as shall promote the pub
e. lie prosperity, or advance his own reputa
u ton.
'r But, gentlemen, while the Office Of Presi
T dent is quite too high to be sought by per
20 sonal solicitation, or for private end and OBJ
T. jects, it is not 10 be declined, if proffereC
by the voluntary desire of free people.
10 1t is now more than thirty years since you
y and your fellow citizens Of New Hampshire
Re assigned me part in political affairs. M.
al public conduct, since that period, is known
u My opinions on the great questions, nov
ie most interesting to the country, are known
le The constitutional principles which hav
{, endeavored to maintain, are also KNOWN
e If these principles and these opinions, nov
Is not likely to be materially changed, SHOULD
IN recommend me to further marks of publ