Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-09-27


valley of the Rio Grande. | was sur
rounded by Wings and Democrats who
had stood by me in the trying hours of my
life. and whom it was my destiny 70 con-
duct through scenes Of greater trial Ny
duty to that army, and TO the republic
whose battles we were waging. forbade my
assuming a position Of seeming hostility
10 any portion OF the brave men under NV
comrnand-all of whom knew | was
Wing in principle. for made no conceal
ment of my political sentiments or predi
lections.
Such had been the violence of party
struggles during our late Presidential cleo
tons that the acceptance Of nomination
under the rigorous interpretations given TO
the obligations of candidate presented
to the public with iorinulary Of political
principles. was equivalent almost To dec
laration Of uncompromislng enmitv 10 all
who did not subscribe 10 It's fenets. was
| lationshp towards any Of the soldiers un
der my command, when in front Of an en-
c,ny common 10 US all. 1t would have
been unjust in itself and it was as repug-
nant to my own feelings as il was TO my
duty wanted unity in the army. and
. forbore any act that mi ght SOW the seeds
Of distrust and discord in its ranks.
have not my letters written at the time be-
fore me. bat they are all Of one import, and
in conformity with the views herein ex-
pressed.
/ Meanwhile | was solicited by my per-
sonal friends and by strangers, by Wings
and Democrats, TO consent to become a
candidate. was nominated by the peo-
pie in primary assemblies-by Wings.
Democrats. and Natives, in separate and
mixed meetings. | resisted them al, and
continued to do SO till led to believe that
my opposition was assuming the aspect OF
defiance ofthe popular wishes. yield
cd only when il looked like presumption
to resist longer, and even then | should
not have done so had not the nomination
been presented 10 me in form unlikely
to awaken acrimopy or reproduce the Bit
terness of feeling which attends popular
elections. | say it in sincerity and truth
that pant of the inducement to my con-
sent was the hope that by going into the
canvass it would be conducted with can
dor if not with kindness. II has been no
fault of mine that this anticipation has
proved vain one.
After permitted myself to be announc-
ell for the Presidency, under the circun-
stances above noticed. | accepted nominal
ton after nomination in the spirit i'll which
! they were rendered. They were made IT.
ed. No one who joined in those nominal
tons could have been deceived as to my
political views. From the beginning till
now have declared myself to be q Wing
on all proper occasions. With this dis
tinct avowal published 10 the world. I did
not think that had right to rcpel nonsi-
nations from political opponents any more
than had a right to refuse the vote Of a
Democrat at the polls: and proclaimed
it abroad that should not reject the prof
fcred support Of any body of fellow cii-
IONS: This was my position when in
November last returned to the L. States:
long before either of the great divisions of
the people had held a National Conven-
ton, and when it was thought doubtful if
ono of thop, would holl ,r,
Matters stood in this attitude till spring.
when there were SO many statements in
circulation concerning my views upon
questions of national policy, that | felt
constrained to correct the errors into
which the public mind was falling by
more explicit enumeration Of principles,
which did in my letter to you in April
last. That letter, and the facts which |
have detailed as briefly as proper under
standing of them would permit, developed
my whole position in relation to the Presi
dency at the time.
The Democratic Convention met in May,
and composed their ticket to suit them
This they had right to do. The Ma
tional Wing Convention met in June, and
selected me as their candidate. | accept
ed the nomination with gratitude and with
pride. | was proud of the confidence Of
such body of men. representing such a
constituency as the Wing party of the L.
States; manifestation the more grateful
because it was not numbered with exac-
tons incompatible with the dignity of the
Presidential office, and the responsibilities
Of its incumbent TO the whole people of the
nation. And | may add that these emo
tions were increased by associating my
name with that of the distinguished citizen I
of New York, whose acknowledged abil-