Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-10-11

} therefore take this method of answering
the invitations which have received
] am decidedly opposed TO the exten
sion of slavery into any uew territories
and in favor of its exclusion by act O
Congress; but cannot support MARTIN
Van Buren,. have had some knowledg,
Of his political course from the time Of hi.
opposition 10 De Wit Clinton. and his in
frigues in favor of Crawford: in a word
his whole life has proved him TO be in m,
judgment. unworthy ofpublic confidence
For General Cass | cannot vote. | have
known something of his public life since
the surrender OF Hull. Ills course has
proved him to be time-serving. avarcious
and unprincipled. 1t vote for either OF
the candidates for the Presidency. mus,
give my vote for Gen. Taylor. The sea-
sons for this decision | cannot state a,
length. | believe him to tie an honest
man. which is the first and great qualif-
cation. | RELY Upon his pledge 10 carry
out faithfully the will of the people as ex-
pressed through Congress. upon the sub
jet of the extension Of slavery. and all
the great questions affecting our domestic
policy and measures. | approve of his
doctrine upon the veto power, and his
pledge not to prescribe good men who diff
fer with him upon politics. ! believe he
will he the President of the whole people
and not of party.
Respec fully yours. &c.
4. w. ELLIOTT.
Josiah Roop Of Seneca County was put in
nomination by the Van Buren, men Of the
9th Congressional district. for an Eiector
of President and Vice President. This
gentleman, like Father Elliott. has ever
been the advocate Of Freedom. of Free
Soil, Free Speech. Free Labor, Free
Thought and Wing Principles! These
principles he would apply to the practical
Of public affairs, and there
lore he looks TO the consequences-and
before he elevates TO office this or that
man, would learn the effect likely to re-
suit from their elevation. In examining
the question, he finds no prospect Of ad
his principles-of introducing
them into the practice, by the election Of
Van Buren,. and as an honest man. he
declines the place offered to him, giving
his reasons in good letter to the public.
Here is the letter, read and reflect Upon
it:
To the Electors Of The Sirth Congress-
ional District.
Fellow citizens: At a convention Of del
egates, held at Rome, in the country Of
Seneca, on the l 9Th inst. the undersigned
waschosenas the candidate for Presidential
elector for the 9th Congressional district, on
the Free Soil Hcktt. Fully sympathizing
with the gentlemen who composed the
by which | was compliment
ted. in their hostility to the extension Of
deem it duty owe to them as
we'll as to himself. TO state frankly and
briefly, the reasons which have operated
on my mind. 70 produce the resolution to
decline. as | now do, very respectfully,
the honor intended to be conferred on me.
am now no less than ever. an humble
advoc ate for the doctrine Of FREEpoM-
as well of Soil and Labor, as of Speech
and Thought. In espousing this doctrine,
| abated nothing Of my devotion to the
doctrines of the Wing. party. of which |
have ever been a member. am Wing.
as well as a Free Soil man. In looking
at the political prospects in practical
point Of view, | am persuaded that the
most effectual means of preventing the
extension of slavery and the increase Of
the slave power. is by cooperating with
that party which presents the most formi
dable obstacles to such extension and in
crease Twas in Delaware on Thursday.
and listened attentively to the address of
Thomas Corwin, and am constrained to
admit that my judgment canno, resist the
orce of his reasoning.
| am persuaded that there is no earthly !
prospect of the vote of Ohio being given /
10 Messrs Van Buren, and Adams: and !
here is less prospect of their being cleo /
ed. even should they, against all human
receive the vote of Ohio. To
vote for them. therefore. is equivalent to |
1ot voting at all. And this do not con-
,eive to be the part Of patriotism, at a juno
ure like the present, when a great and
important crisis is TO be met. | cannot
1roid responsibilities throwing away my
vote: and I cannot afford 10 purchase inn
at that rate, even were disposed
so to do.
The States Of this Union being now
equally divided as between slaveholding
and non-slaveholding. ! deem it a matter /
Of vital importance TO the latter TO secure
the Vice Presidency. on whom may de- ,
volve the casting rote decisive Of the most
important questions. There is TO my mind
no prospec, of electing Mr.. c. +. Adams
to the Vice Presidency by the electoral
colleges. In default of such an election.
the choice will devolve upon the Senate;
and that body. as already constituted.
could hardly fail to make choice of Gen.
O. Butler. who is not only him. i
self slayeboIder but who would be con-
strained by the force. as well as by long
cherished sentiments. TO vote with the /
interest on all questions in
which that interest is involved.
Under these circumstances. feel il my
duty to decline the compliment intended
me BY placing my name on the Free Soil
ticket; and shall at the proper time, il liv-
ing and able TO get 10 polls, bestow my suf-
TRACE for Zachary Taylor and Willard Fill
more; confidently believing tina, the honor