Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-12
A LETTER FROM THE HON. TRUMAN SMITH.

MEssRs. EDiToRs desire to invite the attention
of my friends in Connecticut (through the medium
of your columns) TO the action of the Wings OF
the two Houses of Congress, in expressing, as they
have, in conformity with usage, the opinion that
the selection of our candidates for President and
Vice President should be referred TO a National
Convention. to be held at independence Hail. in
the city Of Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday of
June next. 1t is the wish of our judicious friends
here that Members of Congress should have as lit
lie to do with this subject as possible and am
confident that any attempt TO oresta the action Of
that body in this focus Of political excitement will
be frowned at and put down. To this tribunal the
various opinions and predictions which seem to
exist in many parts of the country in regard to
the most suitable, persons to unite the sufIrages
of the great Whig party of the Union should be
submitted by all. entertain unhesitatingly the
conviction that the wise, discreet, and good men
who it is believed will compose that body, will
come to such conclusions are best adapted to ar
rest the tide of evil now setting in upon the coun-
try and to promote the happiness and prosperity
of the American people. AT no period of our his
tory has thorough union of the conservative i'm
pulses and principles of the Whg party been more
imperstively demanded than at the present moment
/ cannot the least chance of rescuing our Gov
ernmelt and institutions from the dangers which
beset them except by means Of the next Presiden-
| tial election. With on our hands, waged
with prodigality Of treasure and OF life which IS
as stupendous as the object now ayowed-the abb
sorpton of large part (which may soon become
ALI of Mexico, to be ere long converted into States
and admitted into the Union-to permit devotion TO
or admiration of this that public character to inter-
rupt our harmony or to prevent cooperation, would
be the height Of folly and madness. 1t cannot be
necessary to remind you that our political brethren
of other and distant sections of the Union take
precisely the same view we do of the exis.ing con-
dition of public affairs; that they stood by us
shoulder to shoulder with few exceptiors) in re-
sstance of Texas annexation, opposed the reckless
policy of this Administration in the matte of Ore
gon, and thus aided in wardng off the Danger lat
one time imminent) Of collision with Great Br-
tain in that regard, and now unceasIg in their
efforts to arraign the authors of the with Mex
co. unnecessarily and unconstituhonally begun"
at the bar of enlightened public opinion. Under
such circumstances it seems To me that Wings
every where should speak Of the views Of each
other in regard to the Presidency with moderation
good temper, and lberality; should forego prema-
ture and Improbable discussion, and unfurl the
banner which we bore aoft so proudly and so sue
cessfully in 1910, and on which inscribed the
generous sentiment Z" the union of the Wings for
the sake Of the Union" If we cultivate this spirit
we shall, as | think, find in mutual consultations
ark of safety; and trust that the Wings Of the
whole country and particularly those of Connec-
ticut will be prepared 10 accord TO the pro-
posed Convention their entire confidence. If by
such an agency ticket shall be formed which
shall pay proper respect to the opinions and feel
ings of all sections of the Union, las doubt not
there will be,) we may rest assured that large
majority of the American people will mark with
their signal displeasure the present rash admins
traton of our affairs, and will sterny rebuke those
who have spored with-the peace of the country,
and made of war and its bloody front game Of
politics. TRUMAN SMITH.
WAsHISGroS, FEBRuARX 5, 1s4S.