The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-13

ness Of the political opinions ID which
4 have adhered, conscious Of always
having done my duty to thepeople to
lthe best'ofImy ability, having no heart
Iburnings to Be allnyed, and no resent
Irnents to be grs,iied BY restoration to
power, and finding my present position
entirely adapted to my taste and dispo.
sition, am sincerely and heartily desi-
rous to wear the honors and enjoy.
ments Of private life unterruptedly to
the end. a f-lg I@vyg
If, therefore, the support which you,
with whom lhave not even the plea
sure of a personal acquaintance haveEso
frankly and honorably rendered me, in
GLIDING that not only Of the infIexible
and victorious democracy Of your con-
gressional district, but also of the dem.
ocra,ic party throughout the Union,
and the consequent assurance ofsuc-
cess, | could not, consulting only my
own feelings and wishes, hesitate, re.
spectfully and gratefully, but decidedly,
to decline il. That any state Of things
will hereafter exist in which this indul-
gence of my own preferences would,
in the opinion oftrue and faithful friends
conflict with my duty to the political
party to which my whole life has been
devoted, and to which ! owesany per-
sonal sacrifice, is in the least degree.
improbable. i',as Iis,
appreciate and honor your anxious
desire to see the integrity and frmness
of the democratic party Of the Union
fully vindicated. AS far as the tempe
rate but steady action Of one who is,
by his position and just observance Of
its proprie.ies, debarred from active
participation in partisan conflicts, can
aid in restoring its former efficiency, il,
rekindling it's waning zeal, and in pre-
serving the high and pure character for
which it has been long ,nd rightfulIy
distinguished, you may confidently rely
on my cooperation. Whether these
desirable objects can be accomplished
mainly depends upon the course which
is pursued by the respectable friends Of
those prominent citizens among US who
are made candidates for the presiden-
cy. Should the capital of the Union,
during the approaching session Of Con-
gress become the rallying point oftheir
partisans, and not only their attention,
but the time and attention of those who
are charged with the direction Of pub
lie affairs, be devoted to president MAX
ing instead Of their appropriate duties,
we shall have little to hope in this re-.
gard. rH,r.. .'e. sg ,i.ars. 3 so9
But ifmere political schemes and in.
trigues, however .cunningly devised,
and however profitable they have here
tofore appeared, shall in the present
emergency give place to the unceasing
and vigorous efforts Of all TO preserve
and protect the bleeding interests and
perilled honor of our country--efforts
which can alone attract the confidence
and support of the democratic masses
the result will prove far more auspi-
cious. eriL 'eHam ,.7. hs =
q Scarcely ever has the essential well
fare Of the country been in more crit
ical condition, or its administration in
greater need Of energetic support Of
those who raised itto power. With a
probable majority against it in the pop.
ular branch Of the nationrl legislature,
and bul a small, and it is 10 be regret
ted, not very harmonious majority in
in its favor in the Senate, it may be
called upon to vindicate the past, and
will be obliged to support, possibly for
an indefinite period, a distant and diff
cult foreign war. The existence Of
that war has received the official sane
ton of every department of the gov
ernment whichis is required by the con.
stitution; and it is due to the future
fame, as well as the present prosperi-
ty of this great nation, that it be tri.
umphanily sustained. Whatever may
hereafter be the propriety Of insti-
tuting inquiries into the necessity of
its occurrence, with view to the just
responsibility to public opinion of our
public servants, such an investigation
may at this time, and under existing
circumstances, as well upon principle
of sound political morality as Of nation
al expediency, be well regarded as out
Of season. The war cannot now be
concluded with honor, unless we re-
ceive from Mexico just idemnity for
the past, and reasonable security for
the future. II these be not obtained,
the survivors Of our gallant army, who
have by their deeds OF valor confirmed
the respect and compelled the admira-
ton Of the world, cannot be brought
home without Impeachment OF the lau-
rels they have SO nobly won, nor the
Al