Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-05-09
MrssRs. C. J. FAULKNER, Chm, &c.
w AsnINGToN, May 3, 1874.

To The Editors Of The Intelhgencer:
GENTLEMEN-Priort TO the commence
ment, and during the progress Of the jour.
ney which have recently made to some
of the Southern States, | received numer-
Gus invitations to visit my fellow. citizens
a; various points OF the Union. was COM
PEELED to decline accepting the greater
number of them, and in most instances,
transmitted answers accordingly but, as
may have omitted to reply to some Of
them, and as others addressed TO me may
not have reached me, TO oil such request
to be allowed, through the National Intel
ligencer, TO communicate general and
respectful answer, and TO state the ground
on which feel constrained TO place any
similar invitations with which may BIO
in future honored.
These popular demonstrations Of friend.
ship, attachment, and confidence towards
me are highly gratifying to my feelings,
and are entitled to an expression Of my
profound and grateful Acknowledgements.
Ii it were suitable and proper, in my
judgment, to meet assembiages Of my
fellow. ciiizens on the occasions proposed,
| | would embrace the opportunity with
pleasure, aud should exchange friendly
sautations with them with a warmth and
! enthusiasm, on my part, not exceeded by
their own. Blu; an event of Importance
took place on the first instant in Baltimore.
A Convention OF Delegates from the Wing
party, coming from all pats Of the United
States, acting in conformity with the we'll
ascerlaned wishes and sentiments Of the
Wings Of the United States, has formally
announced my name as a candidate for
the office of President of the United States,
and, from high sense Of duty, | have
accepted the nomination. II he's been,
moreover, ratified by another Convention,
composed Of Delegates from every part
Of the United States, who assembled on
the 2 instant in Baltimore. Being thus
placed, with my own consent, in the atii-
tude of candidate for that high office,
feel myself bound 10 respect and perform
all the duties and obligations which APP
pertain 10 me in that character.
The election of Chef Magistrate of a
| free, great, and enlightened nationis one of
the gravest and most momentous functions
which the People can exercise. II is en-
phatlcaly, and ought to be exclusively,
their own business. Upon the wisdom of
their choice depends the preservation and
soundness OF free institutions, and the well
fare and prosperity Of themselves. In
making it, they should be free, impartial,
and wholly unbiased by The conduc, of
candidate himself. Not only, in my opin.
ion, il is his duty to abstain from all soli-
citations, direct or indirect. of their suffra.
ges, but he should avoid being voluntarily
placed in situations TO seek, or in which
he might be supposed to seek, to influence
their judgment.
Entertaining these views of what be-
comes candidate for the exalted Office
of President OF the United Slate,, shall
act in strict conformity with them Here
after, and until the pending Presidential
election is decided, | cannot accept nor at.
tend any public meeting of my fellow-cit-
liens, assembled in reference to that OBJ
iect, 10 which may have been or shah
be invited. |, is my wish and intention,
when leave this city, to return home as
quietly and quickly as possible, and, en-
ploying myself in my private business and
affairs, there to await the decision OF the
Presidential election, acquiescing in it,
whatever it may be, with the most perfect
submission.
hope those who have honored me with
invitations to which have not yet replied,
and those who may have intended me the
honor oftransmitting others, will accept,
without dsapprobaton, this exposition of
the motives by which am governed.
| am, gentlemen, your friend and obe-
dent servant, II. CLAY.