Washington telegraph., 1851-06-18
1,o,. Jonr pre,tOn. yr., and Maj. stith.

A/Ols 1leStOu ttt Hik''~se~~- ''>~'-
urgent solicitations of his friends. III
different sections of the State, has con-
sented to become candidate for Congress.
In letter to us, he says: Il frankly con-
fess that did not wish to become cam
diJate-my own feelings and business at
this time, forbid that should enter upon
politics, but l have always made 1t rule
of action, when friends call upon me- 10
obey their wishes, regardless of every
selfish consideration. / have therefore,
as you will have seen. declared myself a
candidate, and intend TO do my duty as
far as time aud my abilities will permit.
will meet Col. johnson. at once, and
follow him up. We may get into your
region, but ii is doubtful"
In regard to the Compromise and seces-
sion, lie says-"I am Southerner by
birth and education, and will stand upon
the platform of the present administration,
in regard to the question OF slavery and
the measures of Compromise as passed
by Congress. caunot admit the right OF
secession as claimed by South Carolina,
and I shall charge the error into which
sbe has been seduced to the Ultyss and e.g-
ertyenalsts of the South on the hoDr of Con-
gress. Her position. in my Judgment.
now threatens The downfall of the Union,
and it is one of The fruits of that pertina-
cious zeal displayed by fanatics North and
South, during the discussion Of the great
question Of slavery in the halls Of Con-
gress.''
This is suflicient-we desire no better
champion, and as Major S,ith has with
drawn from the confess, as will be seen
by his letter below, we hoist the name
of John Preston, it,, at our masthead,
and shall battle for it, to the best Of our
abilities.
We admire the magnanimiry and pa
triotic motives which have prompted
Major Stith to withdraw. althongh we
had no fears that all prospect of success
would be blasted by the obstin,te ambi-
ton Of two Union candidates inthe field
The Major has indeed a peculaa, talent
the talent OF sacrificing his personal feel.
ings and aspirations upoE the altar of a
common cause.
AS candidate is now fairly in the field
and the time to the election is short, we
would call upon the people 10 look, al
once, to the pending issues, and 70 examine
the qualifications of the candidates be-
fore them. Oar opponents will endeavol
to avoid the issue of Union or Disunion
and 10 treat it merely as the cry Of party
eager for power. What before the Demo
cratic nomination. seemed odious, will be,
come praiseworthy, in their eyes; John
sons course in Congress will be regarded
as the only one likely to preserve the
Union, and South Carolina herself, with
all her bitter hostility and threats of seces
sion, will be looked upon as occupying
the only ground calculated to preserve
the peace and unity of the States. A
politician is too often slandered, and his
errors magniied. He is fortunate who
escapes this and obtains simple fairness
But he, indeed, is surprisingly lucky
whose political errors. by species O
legerdemain, are suddenly changed into
the most shining virtues.
Dodge and smother the question as they
please, our opponents will be compelled
to face it. Those who really love the
Union, will assuredly take the best means
of preserving it, and judging their can
didates by facts and not by the fancfu
rules of party indulgence. they will see
that Col. .Johnson's course, although he
be as his friends say, devoted to the Union
tends directly to Disunior. while his op-
ponent. Capt. Preston, is in deed as well
as word. thorough-going Unionist.
CAMDEN, June 9, 1851.
Mr.. Jones-I perceive that during my
absence on an intended visit to New
Orleans, (Which. however, was broken up
by reports of the cholera on the river,)
you placed my name at the head of your
paper as candidate for Congress. AL.
though solicited by numerous personal
and political friends in different parts oi
the State to assume that position yet,
from the circumstances Surrounding tne
matter at the time I left home-the
names of several distinguished gentlemen
already snggested-I had not made up
my mind to take the field. And I could
only be induced to do SO in any event,
more in the discharge Of duty than for
the qualification Of any aspirations of my