Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-11-17

" IheSud[ie EarHleF, " faiSe the V I'LL
3uren flag for the Presidency: i
LINDENwALD, Oct. 20, l547. :
My DEAR SIR: had the honor q few l.
Jays since to receive your friendly letter, !
apprising me Of your desire to place my :
name, after the close Of the then approach
ing canvass in Pennsylvania, at the head
Of your paper, as the choice of the sterling
democracy of your district for the presi-
1ency, and also informing me of similar
disposition among the democrats of the
districts. .
of your communication,
and he disInIerested snotiyesssy w1ilch
has obviously been dictated, command my T
respect and confidence tnstend, there.
fore, Of replying to it through ii my old and
fast friend in your vicinity, as you suggest,
address.myself directly to you,. and shall
express my feelings and opinions with the
freedom ani sincerity which are due to the
subject, to my position in regard to it, and
to thes respect and gratitude with which
your conduct has inspired me.
cannot apprehend that what an about
to say will induce any one to suppose that
I undervalue the honor of the Office with
which your favorable estimate my ca
pacity and principles has inclined you once
more, to connect my name. i. Every right
minded American citizen must regard an
incumbent of the presidential office, pos
sessing the confidence and esteem oil those
who raised him to power, and challenging
the respect Of all parties by an honest,
wise, and manly administration of his trust,
as enjoying the highest distinction known
to the political institutions OF mankind
Nevertheless, assure you that whatever
may have been my aspirations at other
periods of my life, l have no desire to
reoccupy that most elevated public station.
L have already, by the partiality OF my
partaken very largely of the
.enioyment of public life, whilst have not
shunnd its labors, or been exempt from its
inouietudes. The fayors and honors which
have been profusely bestowed on me by
the democracy Of the Union are, and trust
will ever be, present to my in'no, ana
gratefully impressed Oh my heart. Every
day more and more confirmed in the sound
ness of the political opinions to which l
have adhered, conscious Of always having
done my duty TO the people to the best OF
my ability, having no heart-burnings to be
| allayed, and no resentments to be gratltled
tby q restoration to power, and finding my
present position entirely adapted to my
tasteeand disposition, | am sincerely and
heartily desrous Is wear the hunors and ens
ioyments of private life uninterrupted to
the end.
If, therefore, the support which you,
with whom | have not even the pleasure OF
q personal acquaintance, have so frankly
and honorably rendered me, included that
not only of the inhexible and victorious
democracy Of your congressional district
but also Of the democratic party through
out the Union, and the consequent assur-
ance of success, could not, consulting
onlv nv own feelings and wishes, hesitate,
RESPECTFULLY and gratefully, but decidedly,
to decline it. That any state Of things Will
hereafter exist in which this indulgence OF
nv own preferences would, in the opinion
Of true and faithful friends, conflict with
nv duty to the political party to which my
whole life has been devoted, and to which |
owe any personal sacrifice, is in the last
degree improbable.
I appreciate and honor your anxious
desire to see the integrity and tirmness OF
the democratic party Of the Union fully
vindicated. As far as the temperate but
steady action of one who is, by his position
and a lust observance Of its proprieties, de-
barred from active participation in partisan
conflicts, can aid in restoring its former
efficiency, in rekinding its waning zeal,
and in preserving the high and pure charac-
ter for which it has been long and righttully
distin guished, you may confidently rely on
NV co.operation. Whether these desirable
objects can be accomplished, malnl y dePeno
unon the course which is pursued by the
resnective friends Of those prominent cltl-
zens among us, who are made candidates
for the presidency. Should the capital OF
the Union, during the approaching session
of Congress, become the rallylng-point ol
their partisans, and not only their attention
but the time and attention OF those VINO
nre charged with the direction OF public
affairs. be devoted to president making IN
stead of their appropriate duties, we shall
have little to hope in this regard.
But if mere political schemes and IN:
trgues, however cunningly devised, ano
! however profitable they may have hereto
fore appeared, shall in the present emer
oencv give place to the unceasmg ant
! Vigorous efforts Of all to preserve and pro
= tect the bleeding interests and perilled homo
Of our country-eftorts which can alone
attract the confidence and support OF tn
denocratic masses-the result will Prov
far more auspicious. :.
= ~ Scarcely ever has the essential welfar
oftbe country been in q more critical con
. d;tion. or its administration in greater nee
!. Of the energetic support of those who ralse
. It to mower, With probable maJorit.
:. against it in the popular branch OF tn tn
national legislature, and but small, and nd,
y is to be regretted not very harmonlou
, majority in its favor in the Senate, 1t ma
be: called upon to vindicate the past, an
will be oblig ged to support, possibly ior i! a
indefinite period, a distant and dlfflcu
\ coreign war. The existence oil that VIZ
- hos Received the official sanction OF ever
~ department of the government which Is r.
ID ID ouired by the constitution; and it is due
~ ~ the % future fame, as we'll as the prese
~ prosperity ofthis great nation' that 1t