Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-02-03
TO THE PEOPLE OF ARKANSAS.

| democratic members of the last General Assem-
| bly, have become candidate to fill the vacancy
IN the Office Of Governor, created by the resigna-
tion of Governor Drew. NV willingness to ac-
cept the responsible position thus assigned me by
so respectable a portion Of the great political
party, with which it has ever been my pride to
act. was clearly indicated in my note of the lIth
of December last. to the committee appointed by
the democratic members of the Legislature to in.
form me of their action touching the approaching
| gubernatorial election
Under ordinary circumstances should deem
any further communication from me as uncaIIed
for. and would feel at liberty to leave the whole
matter in the hands Of the people, to act as they
might deem their true interest demands. But the
circumstances under which appear before you
as candidate for so high and responsible an
office that of Chief Magistrate of Arkansas
differing from those which usually surround can
didates who have heretofore solicited your suf-
| frages for similar stations. demands that YOU
"~nld be made acquainted with all the facts and
:.o,,r,s,orcas contributing TO place me in my
present position. ,A
AT the regular election in lS4S, Governor
Thos. S. Drew, who had filed tnc Executive
chair of this State for the preceding term Of lour
years, with so much ability, was. without opPosI-
ton. reelected to the same honorable station, and
of the State, entered upon the discharge Of the
responsible duties re-assigned to him by The peo-
ple In q short time, however. Unforeseen CIR
cumstances over which he could have no control,
transpred, rendering his resignation imperative,
| which he accordingly communicated to the Gen-
eral Assembly the last day of its session, pre-
viouslv having indicated his determination, in
communication addressed to the presiding officer
of each house of the General Assembly, 10 the end
,hot poaSihIa poiuht he Uv for
the selection of suitable successor.
The Constitution of our State provides that in
case of the resignation &c. of the Governor, the
Acting Governor shall Immediately issue his writ
of election for the election of his successor, giving
sixty days notice.
Taking in.o consideration the extremely short
period of time which could eIapse from the date
of the Governors resignation until the time WHEN
The election is required TO be held 10 fill his Va
cancy; together with the incement season of ne
year; both tending to render a Convention mns
diaely from the people for the selection Of can.
dldate in time for his name TO be made known
throughout the State, highly improbable, if not
wholly impractcabIe, the democ ratio members OF
the General Assembly, 10 the end that unity of
action might pervade the democratic party, in the
selection of our Chief Magistrate, deemed it proper
to meet together in the spirit of concession and
compromise, to select some one from among those
whose names had been used by their friends, in
connection with the gubernatorlal vacancy, and
recommend him 10 the democratic party as worthy
ofthelr support without dsparaging in the slightest
degree The rights claims of others. This thev
did, the friends OF all whose names had been con-
nected with the subject, agreeing 10 submit their
decision, and yield willing ard efficient support
20 whoever they might select. | was selected and
received their recommendation, and became n
candidate. | trust with those audabe feelings
which should prompt every man to merit and re-
celve the appreciation of his fellowmen.
deem it proper here 10 remark that while
these proceedings cannot in the slightest degree
abridge the right which every man in this COM
munlty possesses TO become candidate for this
any other office within the gift of the people
yet my course thereby clearly marked out
and defined; | could not have acted otherwise
than yield TO the request Of my democratic friends
as communicated to me. wthou, proving recreant
10 that generous confidence manifested towards
n'e, and forfeit that good opinion of my friends
which | so much cherish.
OF myself, and my qualifications to Gil the high
and responsible station Of Chief Magistrate of this
State, | may not speak, leaving this 10 the wise
consideration of the people whose peculiar prov
ince it is TO determine and decide upon them. |
trust however may be permitted to say, that
from residence amongst you from my earliest
youth, never having cast vote elsewhere than in
hrhanSaS, or enjoyed privilege not guaranteed
to me by her laws, | may claim interest init
malely identified with yours. Whatever of public
service it may have been my good fortune to
have been permitted to render, has been for the
interest Of Arkansas, and that as a matter of
course | could have no wish or desire that could
result IN injury 10 that State of which have ever
been proud 10 be called an adopted son /; and if il
be good criterion by which 10 Judge men, | cha-
enge investigation into my past public acts, 10
furnish basis upon which to predicate your
opinion as to my fitness to receive your further
confidence.
With regard TO my political principles, | may
say they are known to all who know me, for to
express my opinions upon all important questions
involving the interest of our common country, is
cherished privilege which have delighted
TO exercise.
1t has boen my fortune to be in some degree
involved in every political contest which has
taken place in Arkansas since have taken part
in the affairs of men and whilst always endeav-
oring to accord the same honesty of purpose and
purity of intention TO those who differ with me in
opinion, that | claim for myself, | have always
felt deep and abiding solicitude for the success
of democratic principles, from the confident belief