Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-08-05
Letter from Hon. A. l. Collins.
MADISON, July 22d, 1852

- th'lSaN"''Ae VI iACNOoSdi1- WIEN L iiNFC bNCh
dealt with by the journals of the day, tho Of
ten mispresented, to notice through the press
or otherwise, such misrepresentation. 1t
may not he important that should now ''de-
fine my position" but as there was much spe-
culaton INDUCED in by and through the press
OF this State, previous TO the late Wing Ma
uonai Convention, as 10 the course that might
be pursued by some of my colleagues and my
sell, IN the Convention and much mas
been said of the Convention, as to my present
position, | have concluded that if the subject
was worth specializing about at all, IL was
worth being correctly settled, and that might
be excused, if not justified in undertaking it.
And here beg pardon in advance, if AFRO
gate TO myself too much In assuming that j
am as competent to settle the question res
pecting nay intended course as are my friends,
my foes, or the press.
1t Is assumed by the Morning NctCS, upon
good authority, and ready to be supported by
certificates of good Wings q am not under
taking to quote the language, but the spirit of
the AetcS.) that have declared that | "pre-
terreG defeat under Webster to success under
Scott, and that | should vote against Scott at
the coming election" Now, with all due
Difference to those who know better than do,
and to those Wings who are ready to certify,
&c, beg to say that the assertion of the
AetcS Is untrue in letter and in spirit. have
not only never said that | would not vote for
Gen. Scott, but | have said publicly and pri-
vately all that enthusiastic supporters of Gen
Scott need to say, and | now say that | shall
not only vote for Gen. Scott, If am spared TO
vote at all, but | shall promote his election 10
the very best of my ability. Again | say,
and | say ii emphatcally, that have never
said or minated, or insinuated that should
not support Gen. Scott; and if any Wing
friend, for the benefit of the Morning Mus,
or the benefit of the Whig party. or for my
benefit, is ready, and shall certify to the con-
trary, 1t will raise a question of veracity,
which shall regret, because no man has any
thing to gain by stalking his character against
that of any other man, be that reputation GOOD,
bad or Indifferent.
Possibly it may have assumed, that because
L supported MIR. Webster in the Baltimore
Convention, would not support Gen Scott at
the polls. But this would be poor reasoning.
In the Convention you well know that sup
ported Daniel Webster from the beginning to
the end. This do not regret, and of this |
shall never be ashamed. In doing so, / acted
honestly; ! did prefer Mr.. Webster, and in
prefering him | did not in the least possible
degree depreciate General Scott or any other
man.
| need not here give at length my reasons
for preferring Mr.. Webster, but take the &C.
caslon to state them very briefly.
! preferred Daniel Webster then, because
he was IN every sense eminently qualified for
the place. preferred him as the greatest
statesman Of our country on the stage of ac-
tlon-fOr his fathfuness to the Constitution
and the Union during long and illustrious
life of eminent public seryice-for his unwav-
ering adherence to, and powerful support of
the Wing party and It's principles always;
and when my mind rested upon the PROSTATE
and wasteng form of that d wing man and pat
riot whose name is suggested by cUery thing of
purity and greatness connected with the his
tory OF our party and country for the last fifty
yeaTs-that he was passing away without his
reward from the American people-a reward
which, though so justly and honorably due,
could not have added "a cubit to his STATURE"
or lustre to his fame, but which would have
testified "Tepublic's gratitude" was griev-
ed to the heart, and then thought that the
burthen Ofanother and like grief for country's
ingratitude should not again rest upon nv
country with my consent. Thinking and feel
ing thus, felt more than ever that, while he
was yet spared to US, and in consideration Of
his mature old age, 1t was then and there due
to Daniel Webster that he should receive the
honor and reward Of nomination for the Pre-
sidency at the hands of the great Wing party.
Thus / felt, and feeling thus | acted 1t
amounted to preference, not proscription-an and
| dare say here, that the noble and magnani-
nous Scott would have appreciated and ap-
proved the Inducement to my preference; and
let me say here too, that | know the gallant
General had too much magnanmity, and too
high an appreciation of greatness and civil
service, TO suffer himself to be exceeded by
any man in admiration of Daniel Webster.
though he was a rival for the highest of
honOrs.
For my excellent colleagues who acted with
me IN the Convention, and for myself claim
that respect for our conduct which is due to
all men who act honestly, openly and fearless
ly-and this claim with the profoundest res
pect for those who differ with me as to mere
men. ! need not perhaps claim that my col
leagues and myselfacted hOnestiV. If our con-
duct IN all our relations with the Wing party
does not justify it, the assertion here will not
induce the belief that we did so.
But because / admired and preferred first
in the Convention, Daniel Webster, does it
follow, and can it be argued that do not and
cannot admire Gen. ScOtt-acknowledre his
great merit and fitness for the Presidency;
and must therefore repudiate his nomination!
beg to answer, by no means. We have
many men in our ranks ahUndantly qualified
to be the Chief Magistrate Of this nation, and
yet among them, different men may choose
differently, and that too, without inYIdious re-
Elections upon those not of their first choice.
Again, cannot admit that it is in accordance
with the spirit and objects of the Convention
for men to 90 into them and submit there
their claims, and those of their friends for pre-
ierment, and then, Ito use familiar phrase
if unsuccessful, to "bolt the course" and am
free to confess / should be exceedingly morti-
fed if thought | were really suspected of do
ing so-and after all thai; has been said on the
subject, do not believe that any man really
entertains the suspicion.
But it is not simply because l feel bound by
the action of the National Convention that ]
support Gen. Scott. 4 better reason controls
my action. Ever since my earliest recollec-
ton, have had reason TO be, and have been,
proud of the name of Winfield Scott. He
has worldwide reputation, not only as a
soldier, and a humane General, but as patriot
and a statesman. 1t is for these reasons, and
that think him eminenty qualified for the
Presidency, that support him. Moreover, /
do hope and trust there are enough men of my
sentiments IN these United States, to secure