The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-22
JOB n TT LIE RS
LETTER OF WITHDRAWAL
FROM THE
PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS.

FROM THE
PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS.
To my Friends throughout the Union.
The reasons which influenced me in accepting
the nomination for the Presidency, made by Con-
vention Of my friends in May last, at Baltimore,
have lost much Of their original force. had been
not only most violently dssalled by the Utraists at
both parties, but had been threatened with impeach-
ment tor having n gotlated Treaty proposing the
annexation Of Texas to the Union, as a portion OF
measures, clearly falling within the range of exc
cutive discretion, TO ward of any blow which
might have been seriously aimed at the peace and
safety OF the country in the event OF the ratification
OF the treaty by the Senate. The opinion of per-
son, once ranked amongst the distinguished jurists
ct the country, found It's way into the newspapers,
apparently as the precursor OF such proceeding A
Congress, by committee Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, which proceeded from the pen OF a man
who filled no limited space in the eye of the world,
in which-because of the exercise OF the Vete
power in arrest OF the unconstitutional and pernl-
cious measures of United States Bank, and do
nation to the States of SO much Of the public re-
venue as was derived from the public lands, at a
moment OF great embarrassment TO the Treasury,
vernment-l was charged with the commission of
grave offences in the above particulars, and with
deserving all the pains and disgrace flowing from
the high power of impeachment, measures, as it
was intimated, only not resorted TO by the House
because of a doubt entertained whetherthe proceed
ing would be sustained by public sentiment. had,
il is true, protested against that report orgi-
mating IN wrong. and dictated by party rancor and
malevoence; but my protest was refused place
on the journals OF the House, and thus, in future
times, my name might have been furnished BY the
fact OF a solemn declaration highly duplicating my
character, remaining uncontradicted and unre-
versed ON the public Journals The party majority
which had sanctioned a proceeding 80 unjust had,
II true, been swept out OF existence BY the cleo
tons which shortly afterwards followed; but at the
time OF my acceptance OF the nomination, although
a large and overwhelming majority Of the opposite
party had been brought into power by the people,
If for the express purpose OF sustaining me In
what had done, yet that very party had made
no public movement Indicative Of friendly feel
ing, and portion of its members, who seemed to
control the rest, exhibited the biiterest hostility,
and the most unrelentlng spirit OF opposition. I'm
der these circumstances, there was but one course
left TO me consistent with honor, which was, TO
maintain my position unmoved by threats, and I'M
lntimldaied by denuDciatons. Those of my coun-
trymen, who had come to my support, had done SO
in self-sacrifclng spirit, without the indulgence
OF any other expectation than that my character
should be vindicated, and that the policy Of nay
administration should be sustained; and felt that
il would better become me to abide the most sig
nal at than to incur the disgrace Of deprecatlng
the action of party, the chief object OF whose
leaders seemed to be to fasten upon me disgrace.
lhad also an indislnct hope, that the great ques-
degree, be controlled by the position l occupied
These motives induced my acceptance OF the mo-
minaton made by my friends Before the close Of
the session OF Congress, however, Developments
were so cl, ary and distinctly made as TO the threa-
tened impeachment that no trace OF such mea-
sure was left. Mr..J. c.. Adams report, impcat-
ing my motives and conduct in my Vetoes OF the
Bank and other bills, was deprived Of all OF its
force and furtiye effect, by Report made by a
committee, of which Mr.. Ellis, OF New York,
was Chairman, accompanied by resolutions which
passed the House OF Representatives some few
DAYS before the close OF the session by large and
commanding majority, not only rescuing my mo-
tives from all lmpuaton, but Justyng and uphO
ding my policy. The voice OF the People in the
elections Of 1912 was thus directly responded to
by that OF their Reprrse ntatlves, and but little
NAMED for me personally, either to expect or de-
sire. Since the adjournment Of Congress, the Ian
guage Of manv OF the leading presses of the coun-
try, and resolutions adopted by large assemblages
OF the People III their primary meetings, have still
further endorsed the proceedings Of the House in
appreciation of the acts OF the Administration.
could not, however, look exclusively to my own
wishes, which would have led me immediately to
retire from contest which seemed no longer to
be possessed Of an object worthy OF much further
attention. But | was not at liberty to do SO with
out first consulting with such of my most pToml-
nent and steadfast friends as could most readily
confer with men who had shared with me IN
much OF the abuse which had encountered, and
would partially have participated in all the oboquy,
If any, which might, In the future, attach to me.
So far as have been able to consult them, they
have yielded their assent to the course which my
own judgment suggests as proper; and now an.
nounce 10 them and the country, my withdrawal
from the Presidential canvass
cannot omit to accompany this public annun-
catcn with few remarks addressed to the re-
publican portion of what was called the wing party
Of 1870 make no appeal 10 that other portion,
which was formerly known during the early period
Of our political history, federasts, at later day
as national republicans, and now pass under the
general appellation of wings Such an appeal
would be wholly out OF place, since their political
principles are entirely at war with those have adj.
vocated through life. ! mean no imputation on
their motives or their patriotism. doubt not that
the old federal party, in the lead Of which stood
the elder Adams, were as deeply and sincerely con-
vinced Of the necessity Of the alien and sedltion
laws, the present is OF that OF bank OF the Uni
ted States, with other measures equally latitude
nous, along with the abolition OF the veto power,
whereby to convert the government into mere
majority machne-.o make IL the government nf a
single nation, instead of what it is, a political cam
pact between free, sovereign and independent
States, by which so much power, and no more,
has been granted to common agent OF all the
States, as they esteemed 10 be necessary tor the
promotion OF their mutual happiness. No; to them
| have nothing to say. II | have received their
support at any timc u has been, not from attach
ment to me or my political principles, but from
some supposed influence which | might bring to
bear, a secondary agent, in advancing their pur.
poses. All the obligations which have received
for such reasons, have been more than counterba-
lanced by the untiring opposition which have en-
cOuntered at their hands since ] attained my pre-
sent station, and the constant and unmitigated
abuse which their leaders have poured out in tor.
rent upon my head; designed, as verify believe
in the first instance to drive me from the govern
ment and in the last to overwhem me with oblo-
guy and reproach. But have right to address
myself to those, who, like myself, co-operated with
them in the contest OF 1S40--who were, and always
had been, the advocates of the principles OF the old
republican party-whose strenuous efforts have al
ways been directed to preserving the compact of
union, unbroken and inviolate--who have sustain
ed at all times the principles Of the republican par
ty of l793-'9-who have participated, from time TO
time, in all Republican trlumphs-whose fathers
were victorious over the elder Adams in the cleo
ton of MIR. Jefferson, as they themselves were
over the younger in the election of General Jack
son. To this portion of the Wing party OF 1910, |
feel that have a.full right TO address myself and
now seriously put it to them to say, whether any
expectation OF good 10 the country which they had