The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-09-22

Tue HOHlHdtlOu OooH pTGSonteu 10 mo IN |
a form unlikely to awaken acrimony or
reproduce the bitterness offeelings which
attends popular elections. say it in
sincerity and truth, that part of the in
ducemenl to my consent was the hope
that by going into the canvass it would
be conducted with candor if not with
kindness. 1t has been no fault of mine
that this anticipation has proved a vain
one.
After | permitted myself to be aunoun-
ced for the Presidency, under the circum-
stances above noticed. | accepted nomi'
nation after nomination in the spirit in
which they were rendered. They were
made irrespective Of parties, and so ac-
knowledged. No one who joined in|
these nominations could have been de-
ceived as to my political views, From
the beginning till now have declared
myself To be whig on all proper occa,
si0ns. With this distinct ayowal pub.
Iished to the world. | did not think that |
had right to repel nominations from Po'
litical opponents any more than had a
right 10 refuse the vote Of Democrat at
the polls: and proclaimed it abroad that
| should not reject the proffered support
Of any body of my felow.ciIizens. ibis
was nv position when, in November last
| returned to the United States; long be-
fore either of the great divisions of the
people had held National Convention,
and when it was thought doubtful if one
of them would hold any.
Matters stood in this attitude till spring
when there were so many statements IN
circulation concerning my views upon
questions Of national policy, that ! felt
constr aimed to correct the errors into
which the public mind was falling by a
more explicit enuncia,iOn OF my prlncI-
pIes, which did in my letter to you in
April last. That letter, and the facts
which | have detailed as briefly as q
proper understanding them would per
nit, developed my whole position IN re-
laion 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 Convention met in June,
and selected me as their candidate.
accepted the nomination with gratitude
and with pride. l was proud of the con-
fidence Of such a body of men, repre-
senting such constituency as the Wing
party Of the United States; manifesto
ton the more grateful because it was moi
numbered with exactions Incompatible
with the dignity of the Presidential Of
fee, and the responsibilities of its in
cumbent To the whole people of the ma
ton. And may add, tina: these emo
tions were increased by associating my
name with that of the distinguished cit
izen of New York, whose acknowledg
ed abilities and sound conservative opin
ions might have Justly entitled him to the
first place on the ticket.
The Convention adoptedm as it foun'
me-a Whig-,lecided, but not ultra ii
. my opinions; and would be withou
/ excuse if were to shift the RELATIONSHIP
which subsisted at the time. They tool
me with the declaration of principles
had published to the world, aud | woult
' be without defence i'll were TO say or d.
|, anything to impart the force of that dec
laralion.
] have said that would accept a nom
ination from Democrats; but in 50 dom
, would not abate one int or title of m
i opinions as written down. Such nom
:, ination, as indicating coincidence q
opinion on tho part of those making Il
, should not be regarded with diStavor b.
those who think with me: as compl
a ment personal to myself, it should nc
: be expected that would repulse ther
. with insult. shall not modify my view
" to entice them to my side: l shall M
= y reject their aid when they join my friend
r. voluntarily.
u have said | was not party candldat
!. nor am |, in that straightened and secti
rian sense which would prevent my bein
}. the President of the whole people,
G case of my election. ! did not regar
d myself as one tefore the Convention me
v and that body did not seek to make m
q different from what | was. They di
i not fet.er me down to series of pledl
v es which were to be an iron rule OF a,
y ,ion in all, and in despite Of all. the col
IS tingencies that might arise in the cours
:. of a Presidential term. | am not engaI
q ed to lay violent hands indiscriminate
upon public officers, good or bad, WI
q differ in opinion with me.
h | am not expected to force Congress
n by the coercion of the veto, to pass Law
!, to suit me or pass none. This is what
" mean by not being party candldat
,s And I understand this to be good VIII
"a docrne-l would not be aPdrtizdn Pre-
rs ident, and hence should not be par
" candidate in the sense that would NAL
,r one. This is the sum and substance ofn
10 meaning. and this is the purport of Il
n facts and circumstances attending n
p. nomination, when considered in the
,e connection with, and dependence up'
m one another.
7 refer all persons, who are anxious {
n. the subject, to this statement for the pro
er understanding of my position towar'
w the Presidency and the people. lfit
n not Ineligible cannot make 1t so, al
i. shall cease to attempt it.
os In taking leave ofthe subject, have o
% ly TO add. that my two letters To yOn eI