Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-24

Below will be found the card OF the Hon. Daniel
Jenifer to which reference was made in our last is,
sue. This distinguished whig states the grounds Of
his opposition to the whig candidate for the presr-
dency with convincing force
PoRr TOBACCO. (Md..) August 10, 1852 .
My Yours of the 9th instant is about
the fifteenth letter have received Of s7far import
desiring 10 Know whether II IS IN intention to sup
port the nominee of the late Whig National CoEgen-
tion for President" &C. Sc Immediately after the
adjournment of that convention, addressed letter
to the presldent of the convention. stating the rea
sons why could not concur in support OF that nom-
ination. That letter Was delayed being sent as di
rected from Difference to the opinions and wishes OF
friends from whom entertain high regard. Find
ing from your and other letters that my silence has
been misinterpreted,, and that cannot remain in
quiet retirement without being Subjected to unjust
animadyersions will frankly tell you what are my
opinions, SO as to leave doubt whatever as to my
course Allow me here to prenafse that there are
many, very many, who agree With me in opinion,
who restrained from expressing it from the deli
cacy of their position having been members of the
Whig National Convention, members of Congress,
and others representing whig constituency.
The National Wing Convention having nominated
a candidate for the presidency to whom cannot
with the opinions entertain, consistently give my
support, il is due myself you, and to the friends
win whom have s6lopg acted, to assign briefly the
reasons which induced ME to differ from you and
from them | need not say 10 you or any other of
my political friends that have ever been consis
tent whig, (not an ultra one and upon all occa-
sions, when principle not involved, have yielded
my personal preferences to Che better Judgment of
the majority. .ses>- ss
In every presidential election since 1928 / have
gone with my friends in support of the nominee.
though not of my own choice From that period
have been ardent, DEVOTED friend to Henry Clay;
and preferred him to all others Still gave zeal
support to Gen. Harrison and to Cen TAYLOR, in
doing which there sacrifice of principle; it
was preference of men, acting upon and entertain
ing similar principles. Their opinions had been ex
pressed and were known prior 10 their Nomination to
be in accordance With the views Of those who nomi-
mated them.
Long prior to the meeting of the National Con-
vention in June last it was we'll Understood that no
candidate would the support of the South un
less his opinions known to be in favor of the
compromise measures, including the fugitive slave
law, final settlement of those absorbing questions
Discardng all sectional Preferences the South pre-
sented no southern candidate for the presidency
The opinions of every man who was looked to as It
candidate for that distinguished station known;
sare one. Those of Mr.. Webster and Mr. Fillmore
were expressed and recorded, forming the basis of
the platform for which they had been denounced;
and, far fanaticism could effect it, sacrificed =
Not so with General Scott his position precluded
him from entering into the contests Of the day then
shaking the Union to its centre. His opinions upon
those questions not known--they were anxious
ly desired and looked for. Some of his friends who
had access to him expressed their confidence in the
soundnesss of his views upon the Compromise and
fugitive slave laws His crins zetuusly urg-
ed by friends from the South and from the North;
the latter Of whom looked upon him as the avaa-
ble candidate to defeat Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Web
ster the contention, by which they would have the
sanction of the Wing National Convention in fur
therance of their views hereafter. Hence doubts
to the course General Scott would pursue in
regard to those measures in the event of his nomna:
tion and election. His continued silence upon the
only question where his views were desired: howev-
pure his motives augmented these doubts, which;
upon the meeting of the convention, arose to dis!
trust The course pursued by his friends in the
vention was not calculated to do away those unfit
vorable Impressions
Had Gen Scott before the meeting OF the conven-
tion, come out with the frankness of soldier,
was expected of him. and made known his opinions,
he would have thrown off the incubus which oppress-
es him; he would have cleared himself from the
noxious vapors which surround him. which, added to
his gallant military career from Lundys Lane to the
city of Mexico by which he has for himself and
his country imperishable laurels, he might have
ceved the support of the Union wings throughout
the country By adopting different course be has
lost that of many who would have given him a gem
erous support, though not their first choice.
His nomination has given encouragement to the
free-soilers and abotonists, and his election would
complete their triumph. The proceedings of the
convention show this state of things The platform
was adopted with sixty-six members recording their
votes against it, whilst others who voted for it did
not consider themselves bound by 1T. During fifty
ballots for presidential candidate not one Soathern
State voted for Gen. Scott; and he was ultimately
nominated by New Hampshire, Vermonts and llli-
nois-all -slaveholding States--casting their
votes for him. With these facts, should Gen. Scott
be elected President with a knowledge that he viii
be indebted exclusively for his nomination and elec
ton to those friends, any man doubt that Gen;
Scott, as hgh-minded, honorable man, will feel
bound, far in his power 10 minister to the views
and wishes Of those who will have placed him in that
exalted station
The object and delight of the freesoiers and abca
litionists were to break down Mr.. Webster and Mr..
Fillmore because they had advocated and carried in
to effect the provisions of the compromise Jaw
They united upon Gen. Scott to accomplish that OBJ
iect Those who voted against the platform, still
voted for Gen. Scott and his " GccepGnce Of it has
made no change in their views. Hence it is clear
that they have expectations from his election which
may or may not be realized. 1t is deeply to be re-
GREETED that he who has gained for himself envi
able fame by his gallant deeds in war; and also
rendered civil services, should now be placed in
distrustful position. Under all the circumstances,
look upon the nomination of Gen. Scott rs unfortu-
nate for the whig party, and should he be elected,
unfortunate for the country. Entertaing these
views, l should be unworthy the generous confidence
IF my friends if suppressed the expression of them
although | am aware in doing SO, subject myself
% the attacks of those who, loving party more than
principle. consider it virtue to denounce every
xho has the temerity to avow opinions contrary to
heirs. t@s'%
Political party ties Of long standing are amongst
he strongest which bind men together, and most diff
icut to be discovered. No feels this more than
do Having received so many evidences of conf
lonco from, nv poIitica1 friends IN ho.a on,