The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-20
Col. Humphrey Marshall's Opinion OF Gen.
SCOTT ms a Candidate for the Presidency.

Col. Humphrey Marshall's Opinion OF Gen.
SCOTT ms Candidate for the Presidency.
The following letter is a reply of Hon. Hum
phrey Marshall, in reply to one from Hamilton
Pope, prominent politician of Kentucky, request
ing his opinion Of Gen. Scott candidate for the
Presidency
New CASTLE, Henry county,
Kentucky, April -, 1851. :
DEAR SIn:-l received, last evening, your favor
OF the Zith inst, in which You say - was as
setting that Gen. Houston told him that you had
promised Gen. Houston to support him for the Pre-
sidency in the event the contest came between him
and Gen. Scott, and to take the stump for him."
/ trust some msapprehension exists in this matter
for, certainly, as you communicate the report to
me, shall not hesitate to meet it with an unqual-
fed contradiction. / never conversed with Gen.
Houston in my life touching his chances for the
for that office or any other in any event whatever
During my stay in Washington, | sometimes con-
versed with acquaintance tou ching the next Pre-
sidential contest, and remember to have objected
earnestly TO the yements which were in progress to
concentrate the whig voice fthis country upon Gen.
Scott the next wing candidate for the Presidency
because felt an abiding conviction that they pro-
ceeded not so much from a desire to reward with
public station the patriotism Of faithful and
cessful soldier, from the wish PROSTATE other
valued public servants, who, in my opinioa, have
done the state some service" entertain no hos
tility to Gen Scott-far from it. have served un-
der his command in the field; have associated
with him in the domestic circle; have received, at
various periods marks of his friendly consideration
for me, ard | acknowledge personal obligations
therefor. So far from feeling hostility, have al
ways esteemed him my friend. But other consi-
derations than private regard dictate my political
action believe that the harmony of the States
and the preservation Of the Union essentially de-
pend upon the faithful observance Of the acts Of the
first session of the thirty-frst Congress, known
"the Compromise measures" and have said, under
my signature, that could not support any one for
office unless he will stand by those measures, and
by the best exertion of his ability execute the law
nov ats / da pot know ho ia
affected towards those measures.
Is Gen. Scott in favor of maintaining or repeating
the Fugitive Slave law of the last Congress! Who
can express his opinion in reply to this question!
To satisfy me, his opinion must be explicitly made
known-not merely on the Fugitive slave law, but
on variety Of other topics. Nor will you deem
this soicitude nTeasonable since We see the most
active individuals sn heraldng Gen. SCOTS preten-
sions were the most conspicuous opponents of the
Fugitive Slave act, and other kindred measures. L
have political affinity to frcesosm or freesoliers.
regard it and them as the most mischieyous ele-
ments at present in our political system; and, whe-
the the doctrines Of freesoilsm be urged by wings
or democrats, | am free 10 declare, l will never
consent to be party to any organization, OF which
they form distinctive fcature. l have no am
bition to rank with any ADMINISTRATION in which
they are to have or which they can pos
sibly gain control. And | would prefer, as
whig, to surrender power tomorrow, rather than to
aid in the production of an administration In part
nershp with the freesoilers those who lend them
countsnance. IfGeneral Scott will publish or de-
clare his adhesion to the Compromise acts-if he
will write himself down by the side Of Millard Fill
more or those questions and he shall be the choice
of my party-I will yield my support to him,
though he would not even then, be my choice. |
have said that Kentucky will require an explicit
avowal of the opinions OF candidate, In the par
ticulars have suggested, before giving him her
support, no matter how heralded or with whom as
sociated | have said that, in my opinion,
when Kentucky ceases to look forward to the sue
cess of her own distinguished statesman, whose
latest actions have been the most respondent IN the
public estimation, she will prefer Willard Fillmore
10 General Sect, or to any other leader of the
present time. lie has performed the most difficult
task OF patriotism. He has breasted the prejudces
of education-the fanaticism of his own section
the enmity Of powerful men, from both extremes,
who promoted dscord, and, by the force Of his high
example, he has freely unhesitatingly and iruly
rescued his country from her EXTREMIST peril,
and has continued thenceforward to maintain
the constitutional rights Of the slaveholding
States. He has been abandoned by Northern
wings for this very reason. kentucky would
be untrue to her own interests and untrue to the
principle for which she seeks distinction, were she
TO discard him, who has never deviated from the
faith she processes, but who stands to-day IN the
chief Office Of the nation, the model Of consistent
conservative wing statesman. The very reason
which Northern freesoilers give for deserving him
will endear him to Kentucky yet mora In my
present position before the people, 1t IL due TO my
self, 10 you, and to my friends generally, that my
preferences should be known. have no conceal
ment that My fixed and settled convic-
tons of public policy will guide my conduct us
a public agent and, of course, will prevent me from
extending any aid, under any circumstances, to
ore who is hostile to legislation demanded by the
West for the protection of the lives and fortunes
of our people, no matter though 1 might approve
him in all other particulars.
You are at liberty to give this letter such direc-
tion shall submit it to general inspection.
UtMpuRFy MARSHALL