Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-12-02
SECRET CIRCULAR.
LEXINGTON, KY, Oct. lS47,

/ LEXINGTON, KY, Oct. lS47.
| Dear Sir-As members of the Wing party,
we address you, as Wing, TO communicate
what we believe to be correct, and we hope
acceptable and useful information, in regard
/ 70 public sentiment in Kentucky, on the sub
/ iect of the next Presidential election. We are
residents and citizens of the city of Lexington,
and several Of US were members Of the Gen
eral Wing Committee for the State of Ken
lucky, in the canvass of 1914. But as that
committee terminated its official existence by
the Presidential election of that year, and no
other State committee has since been appoint
ed, we do not, on this occasion, assume an
official capacity.
J There have been various public meetings at
| different places in Kentucky, during the pres
ent wear, at which Gen. Taylor was nomina-
/ ted for the Presidency. From the newspaper
| accounts of them, in which they are generally
described as large meetings Of both political
parties, erroneous conceptions may prevail as
10 the extent of their numbers, and as to their
being a full expression Of the public opinion
of Kentucky. These meetings generally have
been lhinly attended, have been generally got
ten up by asSluuous concert and arrangement,
and in no instance was the great body of eth
er party, in the counties where they were res
pectively holden, in actual attendance. They
were composed Of some well meaning Wings,
some doubtful Wings, and few locofocos
OF the latter we firmly believe that the greater
part will desert, and arrange themselves under
the standard of their own party, whenever it
is raised, and that their main object in pariici-
pating in these meetings, was TO sow dissen-
sions and discord, that their party might profit
by them.
The meeting held in this city, on the 18th
Of last month, at which most Of US were pres
ent, is a fair specimen OF those meetings gen.
eraly. The county of Fayeite, in which
Lexington is situated, has about 2,G00 voters,
and vet at that meeting less than 220 persons
voted some of whom were from other coun
ties. A majority, after full discussion, deter
mined TO postpone any nomination until April
next; and, Notwithstanding this fair decision,
the minority, consisting of ninety seven per
sons, after the retirement of the majority, pro
ceeded TO pass resolutions, to adopt an address
nominating Gen. Taylor, and without noti-
cling in it at all the vote for postponement,
characterized itself as large meeting without
distinction of party.
Another example will serve to portray the |
true character Of these public meetings In
the neighboring county of Bourbon, (where a
late one was heidi paper, as we learn, was
previously and industriously circulated TO OBJ
tain signatures 10 attend a meeting and pledged
10 nominate General Taylor. A call was then
made upon the people of the county witht ut
discrimination 10 assemble at the court house
for that purpose, but, II being apprehended
that, if there were general assembly of the
people, the proposed nomination might not be
sanctioned. subsequent call confined the in
vtation 10 the friends of General Taylor ex
clusively. Accordingly they assembled, and
the Hon. Garrett Davis addressed the meeting
IN opposition to any present nomination., and
moved poSponement. But the chairman
pronounced the motion out OF order, and the
question was not put. There is reason TO be- I
ieve it would have carried, if put, notwlth-
standing previous commitment OF many OF
those in attendance.
We do not intend TO deny great popularity
to Gen. TAYLOR His brilliant military victo
ries, belief in his honor, probity and patriot
ism. and persuasion that he has not been |
fairly dealt with by the administration Of the |
general government, have rendered him ia
vorite And we go farther and state our be-
lief that if he should obtain. in National
Convention, the wing nomination for the
Presidency, he would obtain the vote OF this
State In that contingency we should our
selves vote for hlm--,oe are his friends.
But in the event Of that nomination being
conferred on Mr. Clay. we are just as sure
that he would obtain the vote of this State.
The great body Of wings in Kentucky remain
firm and mistaken in their attachment TO him
and to his principles, and we believe that no /
inconsderable number of the other party, are
DESTROYS of casting their votes for him.
The position of this gentleman is so well
known as 10 supercede the necessity OF any
particular explanation of it. After the unior-
tunate issue OF the last presidential election,
he relnquIshed all expectations Of ever being
again candidate for that olice--or, Of re-en-l
terng into public life. He accordingly devo-
ted himself to his private affairs, and to occu-
patops incident to his retirement He has
not, we are persuaded. the remotest wish to
have his name again used in any doubtful
contest. II he believed that public declara
ton from him that he would nevor consent to
/ the use of his name again as the candidate for
I President, would promote the interests of the
/ whig party, or the country, (Which he thinks
are indissolubly united he would not hesitate
to prompgaie such declaration. But, in
the absence OF any conviction TO that effect, he
has deemed 1t most fitting and proper in him
to remain silent and inactive, abstaining from
all efforts to attract public attention to himself,
and leaving the current Of the popular feeling
and opinion, to run its own self made channel.
I undisturbed by him. He has therefore an
nounced to the world no resolution, whether
he would accept or decline nomination for
/ the Presidency. We feel perfectly sure thai
he would not accept 1t, unless il might be ten
dered TO him under such concurrence Of
weighty circumstances, (such, for example,
as decided manifestation Of the wishes Of
majority Of the nation, and continuation of