Democratic banner., 1847-07-26
To the Independent Voters Of Pike
COUNTY:


LLOW-CITIZENS:-When my name
was first announced as a candidate for the
Circuit CIerkship of this county, ] distinct.
" avowed that | became a candidate moi
for the purpose of opposing any Of the re-
spectacle gentlemen then in the field, but
for reasons entirely personal to myself, be-
lieving that in a fair field and with an homo.
rable competition, my prospect of election
was as good as thato of any other candidate,
and wa perfectly content to abide the re-
suit. Since that time, circumstances have
transpired which render it necessary fol
me again to appear before you in an ad,
dress.
In offering myself for your consideration
I only availed myself of a privilege, guar.
anteed by the Constitution, with certain
conditions and exceptions, to every free
man. If SONS Of the candidates are en-
braced by those exceptions, as it seems now
to be very well settled that they are, it is
no fault of mine, nor am | responsible fol
the discussions which have grown out of the
fact that some Of those, thus prohibited.
have become candidates. If any blame is
to be attached any where, it is to the Con-
stitution itself, or to those, if any, who
have thus defed it.
1t is known to YOU, fellow citizens, that
very soon after my name was announced as
a candidate. Mr.. VIM. T. WATSON was also
announced for the same office. On Mon
Jay, the first day of the last Circuit Court,
| made known my intention 10 become a
candidate, and on that day I placed in the
hands of Mr.. A. S. Jackson, the publisher
of the Mo. Journal, for publication, the
manuscript of the card, which have here
tofore circulated amongst you;-That card
was printed and distributed on Wednesday
morning Of that week; but before it was
distributed, it was extensively circulated
among the people collected together by the
court, that | was a candidate.
Ga Monday | had conversations with
many persons on the subject. some of whom
I know were personally friendly to Mr..
Watson. and | heard no intimation from
any person that he had determined to be-
conc a candidate; though | did hear that
there was a p proposition for Mr.. c. s.. Brown
II withdraw from the canvass for the Conn
" ClerkShiH. and become a candidate for
The Circuit Cierkship, and rave reason TO
believe that NY announcement was the
chief reason which prevented his doing so,
a courtesy on his part which was alike
honorable to his heart, and creditable to his
Judgment.
/ had indeed heard the name Of Mr.. Wat
son mentioned in conversation. several
times. as Jne likely to be a candidate for
the County Clerkshir. as my memory and
that of several friends serve us, but al
ways coupled with the doubt on the part OF
Mr.. Watson himself as to his eligibility
| have evidence of many persons, whose
statements Mr.. Watson will not question.
that he for a considerable time, considered
himself barred by the Constitution, or at
least the question was so doubtful, as to
make him hesitate as to becoming a can
didatc. Whether it was for the circuit or
county Clerkship that Mr.. Watson aspired,
is not material to the point now under con-
sideration.
: From my knowledge of the character and
sentiments of Mr.. Watson, ! had no %antici-
patton of his becoming a candidate for eth
er Office, however strong | knew his per-
sonai claims to be, until saw his name an
nounced in the next weeks paper as a can
uiudle. Not uouotinS loI d 'holhehI DIS u
the true construction of the Constitution,
and thstit was such as universal public
opinion in the State had given 10 it, from
the time of its adoption, up to the present
time, with the exception Of the notable case
of Mr.. Mansfield of Audrain county, / was
incredulous to believe that Mr.. Watson
would be the man to brdre the Constitution
and public opinion, and stake his chances
Of election on an issue, not so doubtful, but
so strong against him. l therefore saw
with surprise his announcement. But it
was his right to be a candidate, and that of
the people to determine. In a very short
time after his becoming a candidate, it was
objected in. various quarters among the
friends of Mr.. Watson, that ! had done
mrong in becoming a candidate an opposi-
ton to him; that was interfering with his
chances of election, and had come out for
the purpose of defeating him; the idea be-
ing industriously circulated, that Mr.. Wat
son had first become a candidate, and that
therefore I ought to decline. The facts l
have already stated, show how utterly I'M
varrantabIe. was such a claim on the part