The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-13
Letter Of Hon. Humphrey Marshall.


ter. II is from the pen Of true Wing, a devoted
patriot, aud one of the ablest and wisest men in
Congress. 1t was written simply TO answer
tain questions addressed to him-recited in the first
sentence of the Ietter-and not with view to pub
LEGATION. Regarding the statements and opinions
OF such man as Mr.. MARSHALL, on the engrossing
topic OF the day, of great significance and value,
we asked his permission to lay the communication
before our readers. Having no disposition to dis
guise or conceal his position sentiments. he
readily gave his consent to it's publication:
Cry OF WAsnIsGroN, March 8, 1851.
Dean Sir: l have the pleasure to acknowledge
the receipt OF your favor OF the 2Sth umo, ny the
mail Of last night, aud to reply now to your IN
qulry.
You say that "an attempt ia made TO create an
impression that Mr.. Fillmore cannot command the
General Scott would sweep the State by thou
sands" You remark, farther, that the authority
of the Louisville Courier, &c, ID invoked in sup
port ofthis statement, and that you desire my opn
ion "of the real fact in the case"
might answer the whole scope of your inquiry
by reference to tie proceedings and result Of
the Wing State Convention which assembled at
Frankfort, Kentucky, on the 24th Of February,
but that must presume you have already seen
them, and, from. the course OF the Louisville Courier
since. that you understand the suppostion to pre-
vail to some extent that said convention did not
truly reflect the sentiment of the Wing party Of
kentucky The delegates to the convention were
"iresh from the people" and embrace in their
number many of our most distinguished and wor-
thy citizens-men upon whose official action you
may place the most implicit reliance, as respond
ing fairly to the will of their constituents. To i'm
peach the truth Of their representative action, as
the editor Of the Courier has done, would be q vain
thing where they are known, and is only unlortu-
nate because II has strong tendency to mislead
friends at a distance entertain NO doubt that the
voice of the convention expresses the will OF the
Wings of Kentucky, and that the nomination of
MIR. Fillmore for the Presidency, by the conven-
ton, will meet with hearty and enthusiastic re-
sponsc from ninety mine hundredths of the Wing
party throughout the Commonwealth.
OF course have been an attentive observer Of
the condition aud tendency of opinion in my own
State, and have been careful to ascertain, from
all the sources of information ] could command,
the feeling Of the Wing party of Kentucky in re-
gard to the candidacy for the Presidency The
result Of my investigation confirms the view ia
ken by the convention, and enables me to assure
you that, beyond a doubt, Kentucky prTtrs Mr..
Fillmore, the Wing candidate at the next
election, to any man whose name stands connect
ed now with the office of President of the United
States. As between Mr.. Fillmore and General
Scott, there is no apology for the pretence of
doubt Could vote OF the Wing party OF Ken
lucky be taken to morrow, ] believe sincerely
that Mr. Fillmore would receive eighty per cent.
OF the entire vote of the party throughout the
State. Circumstances, which need not repeat,
called my attention to the propriety oil invesgat-
ing the condition OF public sentiment in this very
particular during my late canvass Tor Congress
assure YOU there was OF a corporaPs guard for Gen
eral Scott in my whole Congressional district, and
had the vote been then KEN my opinion is he would
not have commanded, as against Mr. Fillmore,
two hundred in the seven thonsand Wing votes OF
the district. ] am assured by my correspondence
that there is material change in the views of the
people. am confident, therefore, in the conclu,
sion that, though Wing may be found here and
there who regards General Scott as probably an
0vaiIaJIe candidate because of his supposed iniiu-
ence at the North,) there ID no Scott party worth
counting in my section OF the State. On the other
han he an al Mr
idency would be hailed by the whole party through
my district with an enthusiasm which would nerve
every man to the work OF cxerting his whole cner-
gy in the contest with our political adversaries.
My infor nation from othcV sections of tie State
convnces me that the continent of the seventh
district is fair and true reflex Of the sentiment OF
the State.
Why, my dear sir, the nomination Of MIR. Fill
more at Frankfort was no accident. There was no
lack Of energy among those who opposed it, and II
occurred only because IL could not be prevented.
Every inducement was held out TO the w higs TO
abstain from expression Of preference. A third
name-a favorite In kentucky-would have been
started in connexion with the Presidency, had the
friends Of that name allowed it. learn that after
all the noise and coniusion," only four dele
gates-and they had been military associates oil
General Scott-advoceted any other claims than
those Of Mr.. Fillmore; lake that result under sl
the circumstances, 10 DC very signihcant OF the
.tern determination OF tho Wigs OF kentucky to
do justice 20 Mr. Fillmore; for occurs even at the
expense OF personal preferences which many natu-
I,
1t does not become me TO say what the Wings Of
Kentucky would do in the event Mr.. Fillmore
should be withdrawn from public life. But II be Is
not Withdrawn, venture TO predict that he will
receive the vote of Kentucky all Others at the
next election and that his patriotic and conserva
tive course in his high office will meet. as II de-
serves, the approving judgment OF the people.
As TO General Scott, il Is not a fit time TO ssy
than this In his fresent position he cannot
obtain the cote " kentucky any Than he can
command the poDers " hearen What effect a
change of position, at this late day, would produce,
will be more accurately dctcrminablc when the
position shall be taken. The effect of light
upon picture may beat be described when the ex
pertinent shall have been tried. This determine
zion the part of our Wings is not the result of
prejudice against General Scott. j AIN no
such feeling inbabits my bosom. On the contrary,
. regard him constantly with admiration. In
deed. who can fail TO respect the scarrcd old veto
ran, whose gallant form has been exposed TO the
fury Of raging battle, and whose whole life has been
devoted Ia his country whenever and wherever
her honor her interests callcdS Who con.
template the march of the American army from
Vera Cruz to Mexico-thc bombardmcpt, Ccrro
Gordo, Oontreras, Cbcrubusco, Cbspultcpec, the
Garits-without acknowledging bis oousummatc
ability ms n great captain, who bore the Ameri-
can flag onward from victory TO victory until IL
was planted in the capital Of the enemy unsborn
of array OF it's glory, nor yet BUNDLED by sin
gle defeat There IL need Of praise am not
ready 10 accord with alocrity TO the noble old
soldier-os soldier. There is no military dstinc-
ton am not willing to VOTE which may, consist.
entity With our 1nsttuuone, serve TO make him feel
hos truly his oountrymcn appreciate his patriotic
services and how proud a niche would prepare
for bs historic fame. Hut at this crisis of the AZ
tairs OF the world. and ut THE uncture in the at
fairs OF this Con fedcracy, the President OF the Unit
cd states should lie cofisnnsnofs sfafesDsdn. lie
should be OF large experience in the Management
OF o'ru affairs; verscd in the political history OF our
own country; acquainted with the progress and
tendencies OF public men and Of political senti-
nepts; and capable alone, OF determining the pro-
per course OF :bc Government amidst the trials to
which we may. i'm the next administration, be at
any and every moment exposed. Unfortunately
for Va, General Scott s, at least, not known os a
statesman. He has no frpsrisnco in the conduct OF
civil affairs and would be, necessarily, throw u
upon those no would surround bin. My dear sir,
we have learned Lesson, too lately but too well,
10 permit again, objections 10 warp and To
troll our Judgments in the seloction Of President.
We know nothing of General Scott rs a statesman,
except as some knowledge of his views may be
gathered from Letters (snd these few in number y
he has written from time To- tlme-soine TO advance
opinions; others to retact them, when advanced
These touch questions TO some extent obsolete, or
not likely to arise in the administration of the Pre-
sidential office, aud afford no guarantee to tho