Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-05-30

cation to represent the Democracy Oh thal ola''
in the Convention. :,
Mr. Dickinson having read The protest, va
Convention proceeded 10 vote by States on W.
motion Of MIR. Turney, to lay the resolution
Mr.. flanagan OF the table, as follows:
Yeas-Maine 9, New Hampshire o. dassa
chuse,,s II, Vermont 6, Rhode Island :, Connec
lieut. 6, New Jersey, 7, Pennsylvania 20, D ~
ware /, MARYLAND s, Georgia 3, Alabama =, lex
as4 Tennessee 9. Kentucky IL, Ohio u, Ind
ana 10, Illinois 9, Michigan |, Iowa 4, missouri
s-l5l. v:..;n;
Nays-Rho.e Island 2, Delaware 2, virgin
IL North Carolina IL, South Carolina y, SdeoI
gia 7, Florida 3 Mississippi D. LOUISIANA y a. ~
sansas3 Tennessee 4, Kentucky ! Ohio il, Ii
dianaI Michigan 4, Missouri 4, Wisconsin ~
Co Tho resolution was laid on the table.
The New York delegation, being interested
were decided by the President, after some discus
sion 10 be precluded from voting, and that mo
lion 10 excuse them, which had been made by
member, was unnecessary. !,
MIR. Sanderson, of Pennsylvania, obtained ~
floor, and offered resolution tint h1s ConDeau'o
do no,c proceed to nominate cand'aats '0T f,.cs'
dent of tie United States and moVcd Inc pie'iou
question.
Mr.. Cambreeng, at this stage OF The proceed
inss, rose and requested PERMISSION on me par.
himself and colleagues Che harnourners)'o W'lh
draw from The convention, and leave was accord
ingly granted.
The Chair was about TO state the question OF
Mr.. Sanderson's resolution, Wneh WI. RAMSEY
of Tennessee had leave 10 present communica
lion from the President OF the United States
which was read. declining a denomination 10
the Presidency, in conformity with his previous
declaT atoms.
Mr.. Ramsey, in presenting The communica
lion, said
Mir. President, before The Convention proceed
TO ballot, deem it proper TO remark, that nave
received from the President of the United States
letter, the contents Of which am authorized
upon the occurrence Of the contingency referred
10 in it, 10 communicate 10 this body.
From informal conversations with delegates
whom have met in which have ascertained
their views and intentions, The contingency has
in my judgment, arisen, upon which u IS proper
TO make known The true position and wishes of Inc
President. and know of no better mode OF doing
This, than to present the letter ITSELF win The re-
quest that il be read.
The Presidents letter is as follows:
WASHINGTON Cry, May 20, 'S4S.
Dear Sir. From speculaiionS which have APP
peared in some OF the public journals, and from
frequent inquiries which have been made OF me,
by many political friends, some OF them delegates
10 The Democratic National Convention, which
will assemble al Baltimore on The 22i instant, l
am induced 10 suppose that il may he the desire
OF some oil my friends IL propose my re-nomina-
ton. as the candidate vi the Democratic party,
for the office OF President Of The United Siaies.-
Should you ascertain that such is the intention OF
any of the delegates, | desire, through you, 10
10 the Convention that am not
candidate for the nomination, and that any use OF
my name with that view, which may be conlem-
plated, i. without any agency or desire on my
part.
The purpose declared in my letter Of The 18th
OF June, 1874, in accepting The nomination ten
dered 10 me by the Democratic National Con-
venlion OF that year, remains unchanged and 10
relieve The Convention from any possible cmbar.
rassment which 'the suggestion OF my name might
produce in making free selection OF successor
VINO may be best calculated to give effect their
will, and guard all the interests OF our beloved
deem il proper TO reiterale The senti.
menls contained in that letter. Since my cleo
ton, | have often expressed the sincere desire,
which | sill feel, 10 retire 10 private life al The
close q my present term. .
entertain The confident hope and belief, that
my Democratic friends OF the convention will
unite in The harmonious nomination OF some citi.
zen 10 succeed me, who, il elected, will firmly
and carry out the great political princi-
Piles introduced in the resolutions adopted by The
Democratic National Convention in lS44-prin-
ciples which i. has been The earnest enteay0r and
The constant aim Of ms administration 10 pre-
serve and pursue-and upon the observance Of
which, in my opinion, mainly depend the pros
periIy and permanent welfare Of our country.
If on reviewing The history OF my admiaislra-
ton, nd The remarkable events, foreign and do.
nestle, which have attended il, it shall be the
Judgment OF my countrymen, that have adhered
10 these principles and faithfully performed my
duty, the measure of my ambition is full, and |
am deeply compensated for all the lahors, cares
and anxieicS which are inseparab'e from The high
station which l have been called 10 fill.
shall ever cherish sentiments III deep graft
tude 10 my iclow-ci;iZens for the confidence they
reposei ia me, in elevaing me 10 The most dis.
inguished aud responsible public trust, on earth
|, is scarcely necessary that | should add thai
i, will be no less my duty Than II viii hc my sin
cere pleasure, as a citizen 10 unite with nv de-
mocra,ic friends in The support vi the nominees
OF The convention, Tor the util es OF President anC
Vice President OF the United States. With gIea
respect, am your obedient servant,
JAMss X. Polk.
To DR.. ]. G. NJ. RAMSEY, Of Tennessee.
The following is he Letter of 1914 referred tc
in his communication to the Convention:
COLUMBIA, Tenn, June ~ 1874
Gentlemen: | have had The honor 10 receive
your letter OF The 10Th ullimo, informing me tina
the Democratic National Convention, then as
scmbled at Baltimore, had designated me to b
the candidate OF the Democratic party for PTesi
den, o.; Inc United States, and that | had beef
unanimously nominated tor that Office
Ii has teen well observed that The office o
1,.o II - "a
sought nor declined have never sought il, no
shall lec al liberty 10 decline IL il coDierre,
upon me by the voluntary suffrases Of my fellow
cilizens. In accepting the nomination, an
deeply impressed with the distinguished homo
thai has been conferred upon me by my Republi
can friends, and am duly sensible Of The grea
and mighty responsibilities which must ever de
yolvc on any citizen VINO may be called to fill In
high station of President Of the United States.
deem The present 10 be proper occasion t
declare that, if the nomination made by the Con
yenlion shall be confirmed by The people, and re
suit in my election | shall enter upon the dis
charge of the high and SOLEMN duties OF The OF
fee with The settled purpose OF not being candl
date for reelection. In The event OF my election
il shall be my consIan, aim, by STRICT adherence
10 the old Republican landmarks, 10 maintain
and preserve The public prosperity and al the en-,
OF four years am resolved 10 retire 10 priyat
life. In assuming this position l feel that nc
only impose on myself saluary restraint, bu
that take The most effective means in my powe
of enabling the Democratic party to make ire
selection Of successor who may be bcs, calcu
lated TO give effect 10 their will, and guard all III
interests Of our beloved country.
With great respect have The honor 10 be, you
obedient servant, JAMES n. POLK.
II,,LL L i
Roane, Benjamin H. Brewster, Romulus NJ
Saunders, Robert Rantoul, Jr., Committee Of III
Democratic National Convention at Baltimore
The convention then proceeded 10 The consider
alton Of Mr. Sandcrson's resolution, when NJ
Yancey moved 10 lay it on the table. The chat
decided that The motion was not in order, unit
there was a second To the resolution, and NJ
Yaacey appealed bur the decision Of the chat
was sustained by The convention.
The resolution was then seconded and NJ
Yancey renewed his motion TO lay on the tabl,
The question, by States, was decided in The ne
ga,ive, 81 10 234.
The main question was then ordered to be pu
and the resolution was adopted without discu:
sion.