The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-28

| tensively known as one of the most popular
| orators and able and influential Wings in that
State, has recently received letter from some
OF his political friends in Anderson county max
ing known their entire satisfaction at the man
ner in which he has served them in his present
| capacity, stating their wish that he should CON
tinue TO represent them in Congress than be a
candidate for Lieutenant Governor, but ex-
pressing sttong desire that, inasmuch as they
wish pure and efficient Executive admins
tration of the affairs of the State and full
and fair trial as TO the workings Of the new
constitution, he will consent TO be candi-
date for Governor if he is not again a can
didate for Congress. We do not hesitate to
say that, in our Judgment, it would be hard for
the Wings of Kentucky to make better selec-
ton for Governor than that indicated by the
Wing citizens of Anderson county. We sub
join Mr.. THoMpsoNs letter of reply. The
Danville (Ky) Tribune says that, after hay
ing carefully considered the claims of the va
rious gentlemen spoken of in connexion with
the next guberBatorial canvass of that State
and feeling assured that the interests of the
Wing party will be safe in his hands. il has
selected JoHN b. THOMPSON as the standard
bearer of the party, and has placed his name at
the head of its columns.
HARRoDsBuRG, Oct. rs 1850.
GENTLEMEN | have Just received your kind let
ter of the 18Th instant, and would defer an answer
until should in person be at your next circuit
court, but Professional engagements will probably
LETS m me her. ir nd i'm
ply, have % say Whilst am indebted to you,
gentlemen, for the steady and uniform support
you have always extended to me, and pro-
foundry grateful for it, | must be allowed to say
that have no personal wish To be returned to Con-
gross In arduous struggles have been 80 nobly
sustained by true friends-good men-it will give
me infinitely more pleasure to sustain and see one
OF them elected than to be reelected myself. When
your district convention assemblies next spring at
Bardstown, not only desire to say ! wish not
to be considered among the individuals to be
selected IRON, but, to whatever individual you
may give the nomination, l will give
dial and he,rty support There are many able,
efficient, wolthy men in our ranks, competent to
make safe and honorable race, and every way
qualified and deserving to represent US, and am
for the man you select for the would that
could, in the compass of letter, go beyond mere
congratulation to you upon the subject of the late
bcnehcent measures Of adjustment the slavery
and territorial questions-measures, trust, of per-
manent peace to the country, and which, / hope,
give lease of quiet and prosperous progress rs
nation for years to come, by taking from faction
lists and agitaors, North and South, foothold and
food for future and further existence.
To what you say of my being a candidate for
Lieutenant Governor, | can only reply, that if
yer IN m rcd
either place, would not quit my present position
for that. Bat feel that, by my conduct and con-
vcrsaton to the merits and qualifications of 9TH
ers for the place, am in honor committed against
even thinking Of it. In fact never thought of as
piring TO the station, nor do remember il
named to me, and, therefore, whilst am lattered
by the first notice and the complimentary una
nimity with which my fellow citizens of Knox
county, few days since, designated for the
station, am constrained altogether to decline
that well as the canvass in the district These
determinations will be approved know by you,
because you aware Of the time and devotion
have expended to advance our common principles,
and will be excused, hope, by all. That por-
ton Of your letter touching the Governorship in
the State, and the desire to present me a candi
date for the sation, requires but brief answer
Some twelve or thirteen years since, at home.
opposed the call of "a convention to amend or modify
the State conaitution. The then more recent and
violent agitation of the question of the abolition Of
slavery in and ofthc District of Columbia, con-
nected with the right Of petition, the twenty third
rule of the House Of Representatives together with
the conviction and belief that the county and cir
cult court systems, complained Of, might be
remedied by legislation, induced me at that time
to go against the call ola convention to change he
State constitution. very large majority Of the
State felt or decided The same way. Although,
~ fenini, and as such magistrates not by tho
constitution members Of the county court, and that
court was not necessarily entrusted with jurisdc-
ton over the police Of the counties, testamentary
matters, &c, the circuit courts, might, as to dura-
ton Of office and the like, have been managed as
was the Office of common wealth's attorney.
Yet, nothing in this regard was done, and
from the fact that the slavery question was less for
midable and public feeling had become more
sound and consolidated on il, |, together with many
who originally were with me, went decidedly for
the recent convention, and should, had been at
home, have gone for the new constitution. Now,
although am what IL termed a new constitution
ma n, and went for reform, must say, in iberalz-
ing our institutions, in popularizng the govern
nent never supposed, when the reforms were
accomplished, exclusion or determinations, were
to be made against those who preferred and adhered
10 the old constitution Many worthy men go out
Of Office under the new arrangements Of the pre-
sent constitution, and many conservative, substan-
tial citizens, in the undoubted exercise of the
right Of private judgment, honestly and conscien-
iously preferred the old constitution. That these
men vanquished, ia enough without now die.
against them for an honest opinion
upon past subjcct-of no present importance or
practical application. This sort Of exclusion dis
would be a species Of crpost f0eto pun
shment entirely improper, for am persuaded all
good men throughout tho State every where, whe
hcr Wing or Democrat, ought and will desire to
zee the constitution fairly and fully tried. To
It. the supreme organic law Of the State, all true
md loyal men, loving their country and its insti.
buttons, will give generous support and thorough
rial-not liquidation and heariburnings for NJ,
past, bit ia,rs adapted 10 the change, and faith
fd officer, 10 administer them Is ,claf the CRISIS and
he occasion demand. That ! am animated by
hese sentiments, and my known connexion and
Identification in and out Of the State for near
y twenty years with tho Wing party, and my
often avowed conviction that the policy and prin-
,iplcs Of that party were connected and identified
Of the couptrv rond,r "a a.,