Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-09-11
letter from Hon. w. a. Graham.

1
H~ILLsBoRoueH, IN. c. August "a, 1852
Thomas Loring, Esq, Editor Of The CONNER
cial,
Sir:-I have not seen a recent number OF
your paper, but learn through the Raleigh Re-
gister and Hillsborough Recorder that you
have placed at the head of your columns the
name of the Hon. Daniel Webster, for Presi-
| dent, with mine for Vice President. Whilst |
am gratefully sensible Of the compliment you
design to myself by this course, and do not
doubt your disposition to deal with the entire
subject in a spirit Of caudor, | deem it properto
declare, publicly, that it does not meet my APP
probation.
To this | am impelled by two consequences.
First. Gen. Scott was regularly and unani-
mously nominated as the Wing candidate for
the Presidency, by the convention which as
sembled at Baltimore, after a declaration of
principles which | believe, meets the approba-
ton of the country. BY the same body | was,
in like manner nominated for the Vice Presi-
dency. Both of these candidates have accep-
ted the nominations, with the principles declar-
ed by the convention as the rule of their ac-
ton on the subjects embraced in them.-Good
faith and honor, therefore, require, that after
such acceptance on my part, | shall not sane
ton the use Of MY name on any otner ticket.
But, secondly, | understand that your objec-
ton to Gen. Scott consists mainly in an appre-
hension that he will not do justice to the South
by a faithful adherence to the compromise of
1850. On that point | have this statement to
make: I arrived in Washington, upon the in
~vitation of President Fillmore to the Navy de-
partment, on the last day of July, 1850. On
that day the "omnibus" bill, so called, reported
by Nr. Clay from the committee of thirteen,
was rejected, and the whole subject of dispute
was thrown open for agitation anew. | found
Gen Scott acting as Secretary Of War, in which
situation he continued for several weeks; and
happening to take lodgings at the same hotel,
| was in daily and intimate intercourse with
him from that time until the contamination of
the compromise by the passage of its various
provisions, in separate bilfs.-No one, in my
sphere of acquaintance felt more deeply the i'm
portance of the crisis, none exhibited more zeal
in behalf of these measures, by argument and
persuasion among his friends, and none rejoced
more heartily when it was supposed all danger
was averted by their final passage than did he.
was his conduct, while the contest ragged
and it was doubtful on which side victory
would incline, in Congress or in the country.
If others, who, seeing the subject in a different
that time opposed this adjustment, or
looked upon it with disfayor or Indifference,
since brought their minds to sanction or
ssquiesce in it, it is cause for eongratulation;
out history will not perform her office if she
sails to enumerate Gen. Scott among the firm
est friends of this national pacifcation in its
lour of trial. /, at least, cannot consent, by
ny silence, to seemingly approve the diserimi-
lation made by you to his prejudice, on a ma
ional question where he was equally jealous
With myself, and more influential: and I know
10 safer criterion for the future observance of
he compromise, than the decisive and manly
taken in its enactment.
To avoid all cavil or misconstruction, | add,
fully approaching the great talents and
erriees Of Mr.. Webster, no one would have
ecorded to him a more Jealous support than
myself, had he been the nominee of the con-
ention.
Thanking you for the kindness and conf
ence manifested towards me-.
lam, very respectfully,
Your obed't ~sery't,
WIN. A. GRAHAM !