Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-09-22


aud it was as repugnunI TO my own feelings as
il wus 10 my duly. wanted unity in the army.
and loTbore my act that might SOW the seeds Of
dslrusI snd discorj in lis ranks. have not my
letters written a. the time before me. hul they
are al Of ore import, and 10 conformity Hah
the views herein expressed.
Meanwhile ! was solicited by my personal
friends and by strangers, by Wings and Demo.
cra;s, 10 Consent 10 become a candidate. Twas
nominated by the people in primary assemblies
! by Wings, Democrats, and Natives, in sePa-
rate and mixed meetings. ! resisted them all.
and continued to do SO lil led to believe that nv
opposition was assuming the aspect of a deil-
ancs of the popular wishes. | yielded only
when il looked like presumption to resist long
er, and even then ] should not have done so
had not The nomination been presented to me
| in form unlikely 10 awaken acrimony or re-
I produce the bitterness Of feeling which, attends
popular elections. | say il in sincerity and
/ ruth that a pau Of the inducement 10 my con-
sent was the hope thai BY going into the canvass
4 it would be conducted with candor il not with
/ kindness. # has been no fault ol mine that this
anticipation has proved Il vain one.
/ Afier permitted myself to be announced for
the Presidency, under the circumstances above
noticed, accepted nomination after nomination
/ in the spirit in which they were rendered.
/ They were made irrespective Of parties, and so
acknowledged. No one who joined in those
l nominations could have been deceived rs 10 my
! political views. From the beginning I'LL now
have declared myself to be Wing on all pro.
per occasions. With this distinct avowa pub
lished to the world, | did not think that | had
nents any more than had a right TO refuse the
vote Of Democrat at the polls; aud proclaim
ed il abroad that should not reject the proier-
ed support of any body of ieow-eInzens. This
was nv position when 10 November last re-
turned to The United States; long before either
of the great divisions Of the people had held
National Convention, and when it was thought
} doubtful if one orlhem would hold any.
n Matters stood in this attitude I'LL spring, when
there were so many statements IN circulation
concerning my views upon questions OF nation
nj policy, that | felt constrained 10 correct the
errors into which the public mind was falling by
a more explicit enuncation Of principles, which
| did in my letter in April last. That letter,
and the facts which have detailed as briefly as
a proper understanding of them would permit,
developed my whole position in relation to the
! Presidency at the time.
The Democratic Convention met in May, and
composed their ticket to suit them. This they
had right to do. The National Wing Conyen-
ton met in June, and selected me as their can
didate. | accepted the nomination with graft
tude and with pride. | was proud of the conf
Idence of such body of men, respecting such a
constituency as the Wing party of the Unled
States a manifestation the more grateful be-
cause il was not numbered with eXactlOns ln-
compatible with the dignity Of the Presidential
i, office, and the responsibilities Of its incumbent
to the whole body of the people Of the nation.-
5 And may add that these emotions were in
creased by assocatng my name with that of the
!, distinguished citizen of New York, whose ac-
/ knowledged abilities and sound conservative o
pinoas might have justly entitled him to the
first place on the ticket.
+. The Convention adopted me as it found me-
o Whig decided, but not ultra in my opinions;
/. and should be without excuse it were TO shit
|. the relationships which subssted at the time
!. They took me with the declaration OF principles
n had published TO the world, and should bt
;. without defence if were TO say or do any thins
/. TO impair the force Of that declaration.
G | have said that | would accept nomination
;. from Democrats: but in SO doing, would no
+ oba,e one ot or title of my opinions as writer
down. Such a nomination as indicating coin
cidence of opinion on the part olthose making
il. should not be regarded with disiavor by thos
: who think with me: as compliment, persona
u to mvselC it should not be expected that woult
81 repuiso them with insult. | shall not modil,
y nv views TO entice them TO my side; shall no
.. reiect their aid when they Join my friends volun
10 tarily.
l1 have said | was not party candidate, no
:" am in that sraitened and sectarlan sense who
!" would prevent my being the President OF tn
- whole peope, in case oGmy election. did nc
u regard myself as one before the Convention me
10 and that body did not seek 10 make me dilel
u ent from what was. They did not fouer m
down to series of pledges which were 10 be a
p iron rule of action in all, andsn despite of al
ol the contingencies that might arise IN the cours
~ of Presidential term. am not engaged
al av violent hands ndscriminately upon publ
IN officers, good or bad, who may dltlor IL opno
ds with me. am not expected 10 force Congress
aI by the coercion Of the velo 10 pass laws 10 ST.
IN me or pass none. This is what mean by n
1t- being party candidate. And understand tn
on is good Wing doctrine: would not be pdri
CT, san President, and hence should not be Il par
ed candidate in the sense that would make one.-
ms This ia the sum and substance Of my mcanin
SIN and this is the purport of the facts aud crcut
BY stances attending my nomination, when consI
ne cred in their connexion with and dependen
OF upon one other.
~ refer all persons, who are anxious upon Il
"u subject to this statement, for the proper undt
oo' standing of my position towards the Preslden
Ss' aud the people. lritis not Ineligible, cam
ON make il so. and shall cease to attempt 1t.
ceS In taking leave ortho subject, have only
cd add tha, my two letters to you embrace all /
icy topics design to speak ofpending this canvas
h'S iii am elected, shall do all that an honest q
one may effect TO cement tho bonds of our Uni