The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-17

tation with those who have so generously
sustained me, might be deemed by them
unjust. To consult them is utterly i'm
practicable, and to suffer my name to go
into contest for a nomination is contrary
to my original intention, and utterly re-
pugnant to my feelings. l have, there
fore, without consultation with any one,
felt justified in assuming the RESPONSE
bIlity of authorizing and requesting Mr..
Babcock, either before or after any vote
may be taken in the Convention, and
whenever he shall feel satisfied that l
have discharged my duty to my friends
and the country, to present this letter,
and withdraw my name from the consid-
Grafton Of the Convention.
trust that my friends will appreciate
the necessity which compels me to act
without consulting them. Iwouid cheer
fully make any personal sacrifice for
their sakes or for the good of my coun-
try, but ! have nothing to ask for myself.
l yielded with sincere reluctance to their
entreaties to suffer my name to remain
before the public as possible candidate.
l knew that it placed me in a false posi-
ton. l foresaw that it would subject
me to the base imputation of seeking
nomination, and of using the patronage of
the government to obtain it, and then to
the mortifying taupts from the same ma
lignant source Of having been defeated.
But, conscious of my own integrity, /
cheerfully consented to encounter all
this, rather than that my friends should
feel that was Indifferent, either to them
or the cause, and l am most happy to
avail myself of this occasion to return
my sincere thanks, and to express the
grateful emotions of my heart, to those
friends of the country who have SO gen.
erously and SO nobly stood by the Consti-
tuition and the Union, during the perilous
scenes through which we have just pas
sed. My sincere prayer is, that their
country may cherish and reward them
according to their merits.
l hope and trust that my withdrawal
may enable the Convention to unite har-
moniously upon some more deserving
candidate; one who, if elected, may be
more successful in winning and retaining
the confidence of the party to which he
is attached, than have been. Divided as
we were, upon my accession to the
Presidency, on questions Of vital impor-
tance, it was impossible for me TO pursue
course which would satisfy all. l
have not attempted it. l have sought
more anxiously to do what was rig ght
than what would please; and 1 shall feel
no Disappointment at finding that my
conduct has, i'll the estimation Of majori-
ty of the Convention, rendered me an
unavailable candidate. But it should at
all times be ubject of felicitation to
any man that he has been enabled to serve
his country by sacrificing himself. This
is consequence which neither he nor
his friends have any cause to regret; and
l hope mine will view it in that light.
For myself, permit me to add, l have
no further aspirations. l feel that have
enjoyed much more of public honors than
l deserved, and l shall soon retire from
this exalted station with infinitely more
satisfaction than l entered upon it, and
with heart grateful for the confidence
which my countrymen have reposed in
grateful for the indulgence with
which they have received my humble ef-
forts to serve them, and anxious only that
they may be better served by my success
sor, and that our glorious Union and free
institutions may be perpetual.
have the honor to be, sir,
Your fellow citizen and obd't serv't,
WILLARD FILLMORE.