Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-09-20
EAST PAscAGnIr1.A soD,

addressed you letter explaininc my views
in regard TO various matters of public policy
lest my fellow-ciizens might be misled by
the many contradictory and conflicting state
ments in respect to them which appeared in
the journals ot the day and were circulated
throughout the country. ] now find myself
mIsppresented and misunderstood upon an
other point, 81 such importance 10 myself per
sonally, il not the country at large, as to claim
from me candid and connected exposition oil
my relations 10 the public in regard to The
pending presidential canvass.
The utmost ingenuity has been expended
upon several letters and detached sentences OF
letters, which have recently appeared over
my signature, 10 show that occupy an equiv
ocei attitude towards the various parties into
which the people are divided and especisly
towards the Wing party as represented by he
National Convention which assembled in
Philadelphia in June lasi Had these lei
tiers and scraps Of letters been publish
ed or construed in connection with what
l have heretofore said upon this subject,
should not now have to complain of the
speed with which my answers TO isoa ted gues-
tons have bfen gwen up to the captious cri
ticlsm OF those who have been made my cue
mics by a nomination which has been tender
cd 10 me without solicitation or arrangement
oil mine; or OF the manner IN which select pas.
sages IN Some OF my letters, written in the
freedom and carelessless oil confidential cor
rtsfondence, have been communicated to the
pnblic press. But rIven rom The context,
and separated from series OF explanatory
facts and circumstances which are, in so far
as This canvass is concerned, historical, they
are as deceptive as though they were positive
iabricatlons. l address you this letter to cor
rect the injustice that has been done me and
tue pubic, to the extent that ! am an object
OF interest TO them, by this illiberal process.
shall not weary you by an elaborate reel
tal oil every incident connected with the first
presentation OF my name as candidate for
the Presidency. WAS then al the head OF
lie American army IN the valley OF the Rio
Grande. J was surrptndf5l rs Wings and
Democrats who lid stood by IN the try
ing hour, oi my lille. aud whom il WIS my
destiny 10 conduct thro,h enes ol sui - at
er t'lsl. My duty to that army. aud Ia the
Republic whose battles we were WaSi <, Tor
hade my assuming position OF seeming hos
,ility to any portion OF the brave men uodcr
my command-all OF whom knew was d
Wing IN principle, for made no coicealnent
OF my political sentiments or predlecii rs,
Sach had beeu the violence OF party strlg
giles during our late presidential elections.
that the acceptance OF a nomlnatian under the
Various interpretations gwen 10 the obiisa-
tons oil a candidate presented 10 the public
with lor'nuldry oil political principles, " as
tqnralent almost tod declaration "i uneon-
promising eninlty To oil who dIj not Sutscr be
to us teneis. was unwilling 10 hazard the
effect OF such relationship towards any OF the
soldiers under my commend when in front OF
an enemy common 20 us all. Ii would have
been unjust III itself, and 1t was as repugnant
to my feelings as 1t was tony duty. want
ed unity in 'he army. and !orebore any act
that might SOW the seeds OF dislrust and dis
cord IN It's ranks. have not my letters wit
ten at the time before me but they are all oil
one import, and III conformity with the views
herein expressed.
Mean" tiile was solicited by my Pers mai
friends and py strangers by wings anu Dem,
ocfats' 10 cohsent 10 become cahaioa'e.
was nomina'cd oy the people IN primary as
semoiles-by wings, Democrats and Natives
III all seperate and mixed meetings. l re,
SISTED them all, anu coitln lea 70 40 so 'il
led TO believe mat my opposition was assum-
ing Inc aspect OF aehahce OF 'he popular
wishes. yielded only when II looked IKE
presumption 10 resist longer ana even men
should not nave done SO hao not the hofhi
likely 'oa awaken acrimony or reproduce me
bitterness OF leel,ng which attends popular E.
lecuons. say 1t III sincerity ana iru'h' mat
part oil the Involvement 10 my consent was
the hope that by gong into me canvass IL
would be conducted WIN cancer II MOI WIN
kindness. IL mas been no lduil o, NINE 'ial
this anticipation mas proved YAM one
Aller permitted myself 10 Dc announced
Tor Inc Presidency, unofr tue circumstances
ABOVE ho'lcea' accepted hoiiin''io" aver
nomination IN the spirit III "nich 'hey vert
rendered. lhey were mioe Irrespective OF
parties aud so acknowledged. NO one VINO
joined IN 'he nominations co"'" nave pee"
deceived as 10 my oilicel views FROM pe-
g'nnlng I'll now nave arcidreu myself 10 oe
wing on all pepper occasions. WIN 'nis !,
distinct avo"ei Puollshed To me Wof'o' oiu
not ihlnk that had right 10 rePei homiHa-
TONS from pohticai opponents any more 'hai
had night 10 refuse 'he vote OF Demo
crat at the poll; ana pfnclaimeu II aproao
that should not reject me proiierea support
oil my fellow citizens. ms was my posi'ioh
wnenln November last returned 10 Tue
United States; long before either Of The grea!
divisions oil the people had held national
convention and when was thought doubt
July II one OF mem would ho'n any,
Matters stood III TINS altitude WI spring
when there were SO many statements IN CIT
culatlon concerning my views upon questions
OF national policy that ieit constrained &c
correct the errors INTO wh'rh Inc puouc MN
was lallins BY more explicit enumeration o
principles, which did IL my letter 70 you u
April last. That letter and the ''c's "nie'
! have detailed as briefly as proper under
standing OF them would permit, developee
my whole position IN relation TO the fresl