Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-20
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
The various and conflicting reports which
have been in circulation, in regard to my inIen-
Iions with respect to the next Presidency, appear
to me 10 furnish a proper OCCASION for 6lll,
frank and explicit exposition Of my feelings,
wishes and views upon that subject. This il is
now my purpose TO mark.
With strong disinclinalon TO The use of nv
name again in connection with that Office, left
my residence in December last, under deIermi.
nation 10 announce to the public, in some suiIa.
BILE form, my desire not 10 be thought Of as
candidate. During my absent, frequently ex.
pressed TO different gentlemen my unwillngness
TO be again in that attitude; but no one was au.
,horized 10 publish my decision one way or ,he
other, having reserved the right 10 do so exclu-
sively to myself On reflection, Thought il was
due to my friends TO consult with them before
took final and decisive step. Accordingly, in
the course Of the last three months, have had
many opportunities Of conyersing fully and free.
ly with them. Many Of them have addressed
10 me the strongest appeals and the most earnest
entreaties, both verbally and written, TO dissuade
me from my intended purpose. They have rep.
resented 10 me that the withdrawal of my name
would be fatal to the success, and perhaps lead
10 the dissolution ofthe party with which have
been associated, especially in the free States;
that at no former period did there exist so great
probability Of my election, if | would consent
10 the use Of my names that the great States Of
New York and Ohio would, in all human proba.
bility, cast their votes for me; that New York
would more certainly besIow her suffrage upon
thor =. . L., 1t. a
would give her vote to no candidate, residing, in
the Slave States but to me; that there is better
prospect than has heretofore at any time existed,
that Pennsylvania would unite with them; that
no candidate can be elected without the con.
currence Of two Of those three States, and none
could be defeated, upon whom all three Of them
should be united; that great numbers Of our fel-
low citizens, both of native and foreign birlh,
who were deceived and therefore voted against
me at the last election, are now eager for an op.
portunity OF bestowing their suflrages upon me,
and that, while there is a strong and decided
preference forme, entertained by the great body
of the Wing party throughout the United States,
they (the friends TO whom | refer) at The same
timH are convinced that am mere available than
any candidate that could be presented to the A.
merican people.
do not pretend to vouch (or the accuracy OF
all these representations although do not en-.
terrain doubt thar they have been honestly made
and are sincerely believed.
Ii has been moreover urged 10 me that the
great obligations under which have been hither-
TO placed, by large portion oflhe people Of the
United States, the full force Of which no one
can be more sensible of than am, demand that
should not withhold the use Of my name, if il
be required. And have been reminded of fre.
QuenI declarations which have made that,
whilst life aud health remain, man is bound
TO render his best services upon the call Of his
country.
Since my return home, have anxiously de.
liberated upon my duty to myself, to my princi.
pies, to my friends, and above all, 10 my country.
The conflict between my unaffected desire to
continue in private life, as most congenial with
my feelings and condition and my wish faith.
fully to perform all my public duties, has been
painful and embarrassing. If refuse the use
Of my name, and those injurious Consequences
should ensue, which have been so confidently
predicted by friends, should justly incur their
reproaches, and the reproaches Of my own heart
And, it, on the contrary, should assent 10 the
use Of my name, whatever the result may be-
| shall escape both.
have, therefore, finally decided to leave to
the National Convention, which is to assemble
next June,the consideration of my name, in con.
necton with such others as may be presented tc
j., to make n selection of candidate for Presi.
dent Of the United States. And whatever may
be the issue Of its fair and full deiberation, i
will meet with my prompt and cheerful acquies'
cence.
1t will be seen from what have stated, that
there was reason TO anticipate that would de.
cline giving my consent TO the use Of my name
again as candidate for the Presidency Of the
United States. Owing, perhaps, TO this, as well
as other causes, many Of my friends and fellow.
citizens have avowed preference for, and di.
rected their attention to, the distinguished names
Of other citizens OF the United States. take
pleasure in truly declaring, that have no regrets
10 express, no complaints, no reproaches 10 make
on account Of any such preferences, which
am fully persuaded ure generally founded on
honest and patriotic convictions. II. CLAY.
Ashland, 10Th April, l848.