Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-09-23
EAST PAsoAeoutA, SErr. a, is4s.

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East PAscAeouLA, SKrr. A, tS4s.
DEAR Sir: On the 22d day o! April last,
| addressed you letter. explaining my views in
regard to various matters Of public policy, les.
my fellow>citzens might be mislesd by the ma
ny contradictory and conflicting statements 10
respect to them, which appeared in the journals
of the day and were circulated throughout the
country. now find myself misrepresented and
misunderstood upon another point, of such i'm
portance to myself personally, If not to the coun.
Try at large as 10 claim from me candid but
connected exposition Of my relation 10 the pub
lie in regard 10 the pending Presidential canvass.
The utmost ingenuity has been expended upon
several letters and detached sentences OF letters,
which have recently appeared over my signalure;
to show that occupy an equivocsl attitude to-
wards the various parties into which the people
are divided, and especially towards the wing par.
ty as represented by The National Convention,
which assembled in Philadel pha in June last.
Had these letters and scraps OF letters been pub
lished or construed in connection with what
have heretofore said upon the subject should
not row have 10 complain OF the speed with
which my answers TO isolated questions have been
given up 10 the captions criticism Of those who
have been made my enemies by nomination
which has been rendered 10 me without solicla
ton or arrangement OF mine. or Of the manner
in which selected passages in SOME OF my let
lers, written in the freedom and careessness OF
onfdential correspondence, have been com
munica,ed 10 the public press. But riven from
The context. and separated from a series Of ex>
panatory facts and circumstances which are. in
so far as this canvass is concerned, historical
they as deceptive as though they were posi-.
tive fabrcatiens. address you this letter TO cor
rect the injustice that hes been done me. and The
public 10 the extent that am an object OF inter-
est to them by this illberal process.
shall not weary you by an elaborate recital
OF every incident connected with the first pre-
sentation Of my name a candidate for The Pres
dency. was then at the head Of the Amer.
can army in the valley Of the Rio Grande.
was surrounded by wings and democrats who
had STOOD Ivy me in the tying hours Of my life,
and whom it was my destiny TO conduct through
scenes Of still greater trial. My duty to that ar
my and 10 the Republic, whose battles we were
wagiog. forbade my assuming position OF seem
der my command = all OF whom knew was n
whg in principle, for | made no conceamen: OF
my political sentiments or predleclons.
Such had been the violence OF party struggles
during our late Presidential elections that the
acceptance OF nomination under the rigorous
interpretations given 10 the obligations OF can.
ddate presented TO the public with formulary
Of political principles. was equivalent almost 10
a declaration OF uncompromising enmity to all
who did not subscribe 10 its tenets. ! was un.
willing 10 hazard The effects OF such relationship
towards any OF the soldiers under my command,
when in front oil any enemy common TO US all.
1t would have been uni ust in itself, and il was
as repayment to my own feelings as it was to my
duty. | wanted unity in the army, and forebore
any act that might sow the seeds OF dislrust and
discord in its ranks. have not my letters
written at the time, before me, but they are all
Of one import. and in conformity with the views
herein expressed.
Meanwhile | was solicited by my personal
friends and by strangers. by wings and democrats
10 consent 10 become q candidate. was nomi
mated by the people in primary assemblies-by
wings, democrats and natives in separate and
mixed meetings. resisted them all, and con-
tinued 10 do so until led 10 believe that my op
position was assuming the aspect OF defiance
to The popular wishes. yielded only when il
looked like presumption TO resist longer, anc
even then should not have done so had not the
nomination been presented 10 me 10 form un
likely to awaken acrimony or re produce the bit
lerness Of feeling which attends popular cleo
lions. | say it in sincerity and truth, tina, par
Of the inducemenl to my consent was the hopt
, that by going into the canvass, is would be con
Quoted with candor, il not with kindness. |
has been no fault OF mine that this anticipation
has proved vain one.
. After permitted myself TO be announced 70
] the Presidency, under the circumstances abov,
noticed, ! accepted nomination after nomination
in The spiri, in which they were rendered. They
were made irrespective OF parties, and so &C
: knowledsed. No one who joined in those nomi
f nations could have been deceived as to my polt
ical views. From the beginning till now hav
declared myself 10 be wing on sll proper oc
oasions. With this distinct avowal published Il
r the world, did not think that had right lc
repel nominations from political opponents any
more than had a right 10 refuse the vote OF
Democrat 8, The polls; and proclaimed it abroad
that should not reject The proffered support o
any body Of my fellow citizens. This was m,
, position when in November last returned Il
the United States; long before either OF The gfea
i divisions OF the people had held national con
I ven,on, and wien it was thought doubtful If one
/ Of them would hold ary.
Matters stood in this attitude ill spring, wheI
there were so many statements in circulation
concerning my views upon national policy. tina
! felt constrained to correct The errors into which
The public mind was falling, by more explici
enuncia,on OF principles, which did in my let
ter 10 you in April last. That letter aud tn
} facts detailed as briefly as proper understand
!" ing Of them would permit, developed my Who'll
position in relation TO the Presidency at The time
The democratic convention met in May, an
composed their ticket 10 suit them. THIS the
c had right to do. The National Wing Conven