Democratic banner., 1847-07-26

mine, yet hadI been aware of his design to
become a candidate, the claims of person.
al friendship and of courtesy TO a respected
political friend, would have suggested the
propriety of a consultation with him before
determining to measure my strength with
him. Whether the same motives ought to
have impelled him to consult nc or nv
Friends, I leave for him to determine; but
with a full knowledge that my name lad
been extensively circulated as a candidate,
and no one that ! can hear Of, having any
knowledge Of his final determination until
after my announcement. the first and only
consultation proposed by his friends was
that | was an INTRUDER in his way; that I
stood no chance in the race, and twas OPEN
" and repeatedly proclaimed that enc man
would carry his whole church for him and
against me, and that therefore | stood no
chance and ought to withdraw.
have no idea that the respectable body
of christians referred to can be thus marshal.
cd and be brought To risk the consequent
ces of introducing such system Of political
action, even if any person were disposed 10
exercise such influence. ! never wish to
see the TIM, when any denomination shall
be arrayed as a body for or against any
candidate, unless indeed the conduct Of the
candidate should render it necessary as o
measure OF self defence. Butt it be true,
as has been claimed, that such an influence
can or will be exerted. then it will furnish
one of the most forcible reasons vet exhi-
.bited, for the constitutional disability of
ministers ofthe Gospel, to office. But what
ever motives, or reasons of political policy
may have dictated the course Of Mr.. Wat
sons friends, it has been manifest for some
time past that there was a concerted and
determined action in certain quarters. pro-
fessedly having in view the advancement
and union of the wings rs n party, but really
with the design Of advancing Tie personal
interests Of other individuals, and sec
.ondarily of prostrating me-.
The opinions of several LAWYERS Of our
Co. nave bccn currently quoted. as favor
ing the claims of Mr.. Watson on this con
.stitutional question. and on these opinions
Mr.. Watson has mainly relied as a iustifica-
ton for his being a candidate. Forcsecing.
if this state Of things continued. that the
result would be to defeat me, without any
benefit to 1Tr. Watson. and that the discus
sion in tie newspapers and elsewhere. was
likelyto lead to an estranGemrnt Of the for
mcr friendly feelings existing between our
families and friends. determined 10 submit
to Mr.. Watson a proposition. which would
at once determine whether those legal gen.
tlemcn referred to, really believed him eli
giblc, and at the same time, which if ~favora-
bic to him, would determine me to withdraw
from the canvass and thereby cut off all
ground of complaint on the part Of those,
who, considered me as intruding. Accord
ingly on Saturday the 10Th inst, | submit
ted to Mr., Watson the following PROPOSE
ton, 10 wit
elf Messrs. G. Porter and ]. o. Broad
head, will give an opinion, clearly and uno-
quivocally, that, under the present Consti-
tuition of this State, acting Ministers Of the
Gospel, are eligible to any Office of profit
other than that of Justice of the Peace, by
whatever means obtained, whether by APP
pointment or by clection:-such an opinion
as they are willing to publish to the world
over their OWE names and on which they
are Willing " IISh IicL AtPu'"tioi, 40 u"
yers-then l pledge myself to withdraw
from the present anvas for Clerk of the
circuit court Of this county. 1t is expected
of course that action will be had in this mat
ter in time for The publication Of the opin-
ion contemplated, in the Banner Of the 18th
instant" PHILANDER DRAPER.
Louisiana, July 1Ohh, ls47.
From the above history Of the canvass,
it will be seen, that l was under no obliga-
ton whatever TO make advances to Mr..
Watson. l was an independent candidate,
not seeking TO identify myself with any
political party, though grateful for the sup
port of all. II will also be seen that when
| made that proposition, asked no pledge
of Mr.. Watson, leaving him free to act
his pleasure, should the opinion of his
friends have been against his claims; whilst
l had at my disposal, as will be seen in
the sequel, the very highest legal authority
to ~overset his claims to Constitutional right.
Mr.. Watson has repeatedly quoted the
opinions, as he says, of ssome of the SUI
- Novvt the Attornpv General,