The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-17
THE MINNESOTIAN.
The Language Of True Patriot.

The Language of a True Patriot.
We never supposed that Mr.. Fillmore,
in any manner, was personally disposed
to seek nomination for reelection to
the high Office he holds. His whole
course since President, in fact, contra
diets the entertainment of any such motive
on his part. Had he striven, by the use
of patronage and power incident to his
place, to make himself popular instead of
doing his duty without fear or favor, he
might very easily have secured the nomi-
nation. The following correspondence is
but further evidence of Mr.. Fillmore's
devoted patriotism and singleness of pur-
pose; and had some Of his over-zealous
friends in Congress, six months ago
needed his counsels, the Wing party
would have come together in National
Convention with less Of the elements of
contention among its members Of differ
ent sections. No President since the
days of Washington ever retired carrying
with him the love and respect of the
whole people to a greater extent than
will Mr.. Fillmore on the fourth of March
next. But read his letter to the Conven-
ton:
To the Editors of the ": Y. Erpress:
With desire to correct some misrep-
reservations that have been made of the
position of the President before the Ma
tional Wing Convention recently conven-
ed at Baltimore, l desire you to publish
the two letters enclosed. They were
placed in my hands on the 18th inst, and
have remained in my possession, without
being seen by any person, until this
time. Previous to the setting of the
Convention, the President frequently and
in an earnest manner expressed to me
desire that his name might be withdrawn
from the position in which it had been
placed by his numerous and ardent
friends. Upon the adoption of the plat
form of Whig principles, and particular
ly after the first ballot, felt my position
in the Convention, as the depository of
discretionary power SO important, to be
delicate and perplexing in the highest de-
gree. In obedience to the Presidents
wishes, l desired to withdraw him from
the honorable contest, while on the other
hand, from the first to the final ballot, no
considerable portion of his friends among
the Delegates could be found to consent
to the unconditional abandonment of their
first choice. As | was unable to
see that the interests of the country
or Of the Wing Party were in dan
ger of being compromised by my de-
cision, | allowed Mr.. Fillmore's name to
remain in the hands Of his friends to the
end, in the belief that such devotion as
was manifested by them called for the
sacrifice on his part of all considerations
merely personal.
GEO. r. BABCOCK.
IRvISG HOUSE, June %, 1852.
WAsHIN GToS CRY, June ~, 1852.
Hon. GEORGE r. BABcocK,
I|etcSutG ~ Hc ~ UGEOuW rug
Convention from Buffalo Dist, ~ Y.
Ny DEAR SIR:
To you as a personal and political
friend, representing my old Congression-
al District, which has never deserted or
betrayed me, desire now to make last
request, and that is, that you present to
the presiding officer of the Convention
for nominating candidates for President
and Vice President, whenever you may
deem it proper, the enclosed letter with
drawing nv name from the consideration
of that Convention.
In determining what is proper time
to comply with this request, you will
consider the cause in which we are en-
gagged, and the reasonable claim which
my friends may have to the use Of my name
for its advancement. While am willing
TO submit to any sacrifice for them or for
the cause, l wish it distinctly understood
that ask nothing for myself, and you
will therefore decide the question wholly
regardless Of any real or supposed wish
of mine.
That my friends, to whose solicitations
I have yielded in this matter, may not be
prejudiced by my withdrawal, have not
thought it proper to disclose this intend
ed act to any person but yourself, lest it
might be said that in so doing l had not
acted in good faith to those who have
thought my name essential to the success
Of the Wing cause. You will therefore
perceive that the responsibility is with
you, and with you alone, to keep the
whole profound secret until the proper
time shall arrive to present my letter to
the Convention; and of this, with full
confidence in your prudence and wisdom,
l constitute you the sole. judge.
On the one hand, you will be careful
to guard against any premature act or
disclosure, which might embarrass my
friends or give them just cause of com
plant, while on the other you will not
suffer my name to be dragged into con-