Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-02-17
TO THE PEOPLE OF ARKANSAS.

Fellow. CITIZENS Recent developments in
reference TO the approaching contest for tho Chief
Executive Office Of our State, has induced ME to
present you second communication Since m Y
late circular was presented TO the public, ! have
received reliable information that the Hon. Cyrus
w. Wilson, prominent member of the whig par
ty, has also presented his name for your support
for that high and responsible station. This event.
of course, materially changes the position of
things from the attitude which they seemed des.
tined to assume at the time my name was announ.
ced. However freely accord to Mr.. Wilson, or
any other freeman in The land, the right to aspire
to that or any other office known to the Constitu.
ton, confess that had not expected candidate
from the opposite party, but calculated that The
field would be left to Gen. Roane and myself.
If the position of things to remain as they
are, | presume it would not be difficult to forete
the probable result. In personal combat "two
against one is not fair" neither is one against two
in political contest, more equal, under existing
circumstances. therefore beg leave of my partial
friends to withhold the further use of nv name in
connection with the office Of Governor to be filled
in March next, lest disunion and defeat result to
the party in whose political faith it has ever been
my pride and pleasure to abide and sustain. There
Is now before you candidate Of each political
party. and am content to allow an even handed
contest TO ensue and let the people decide the is
great interests of the State. '. ..
In thus Withdrawing. desire 1t distinctly un.
derslood however humble my pretensions, that
do not accord to General Roane or anv one else
rights superior 10 my own; am | at all ready
10 admit that al any lime have ever entertained
serious apprehensons that he would likely receive
heavier support than myself. the l4h of
March next were | to continue on the field, what
ever the facts might have been. But in taking this
course which have determined TO pursue in rsfe.
renee TO the Office in question, am willing to sur
render whatever prospects | may have, for the
advancement of what | conceive to be the true in
erest OF the country, and look aone TO the preser-
vatIon and support of the prominent and leading
features OF the democratic party, as an object pa
ramount to mere personal distinction in office.
But II may be asked why it is thar l. rather
than Gen. Roane. should yield the contest since
consider his nomination not obligatory upon his
party, answer because account of the recon-
mendaton which he received at the hands of the
democratic members of the Legislature. | am
well aware that he will remain upon the field in
any event and should defeat be brought upon
the democracy of Arkansas, in consequence of d.
vision, desire not 10 participate in the error.-
And again, the election Is 100 al hand TO al
low you the opportunity of consulting one with
another, SO as 10 unite sufficiently 10 secure nv
election. even admitting that am the stronger
man. Ii is due to Gen. Roane to say that nv be-
coming candidate in opposition 10 him was not
prompted by want of respect for him, or lack
of confidence in his ability merit, but to CRAFTY
ii laudabie ambition, and 10 obey the solicitations
of my neghbors and friends. Gen. Roane and
myself are personally and politically friendly. In
conclusion, cannot forbear expressing my CRATE
tul Acknowledgements TO you of the north western
portion of the State, for the kind interest mani.
tested, without distinction of political party, for
my success for situation so high and response
BILE. This. connected with the fact that TO YOU
am best known. inspires me with sense Of graft.
tude which have no language TO express.
That manifestation | shall ever hold in as high
estimation as though it had already elevated me 10
the Executive chair. But have said enough.
Adeu, BRYAN II. SMITHSON.
Fayetteville, Feb. 10, lS49.