Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-07-08

Wspablish below aFefy ihteresiinr letter ffuui
President FYEEMoKe which IS addressed Z To he
President q he National Co6ssniion. designed 10
hive been presented 10 The Baiiimere Whik Con-
yentign. ii was given By Mr., Filimese into the
bands of G. n Babcoeg, delegate frsm Buffalo,
New York, % be presented 70 The President al The
Convention whenever he might deem Il proper
Mr.. Babcock however. finding that Mr. FTlurOre's
friends were unwilling 10 abandon the contest suf
fercdtie baIo,ng 70 go on. without presenting The
lstters Or even shywing ii 10 any one III the Con-
venticn.
Afler abiding the death or his lamentcd and
illnstrious predecessor, the circumstances under
which be became President, and The .hreaenea dis
solution Of The Union, he proceeded as follows:
Thus prepared, entered upon The discharge Of
my official dulles, with determination 10 doevey
hing 10 my power to aid ID the seleme1xo Of those
dangerous eoaar0vetssrs.
saat4aittss nsyoiy and psffioiicaly devoted Them.
selves to the great work OF paciicati0n. The con-
stitutional advisers whom had called TO my aid,
and 70 whose fidelity, talents, and patriotism the
country is chiefly indebted for any benefit il may
have received from my adip1nsiration, with una-
nimity and zeal worthy ldf every eommeu 3ation,
cordially gave their coEntenance and influence to
the legislative department. in pereciing and adopt
ing those healing measures OF Compromise, 10
which upon their 5assage felt bound, by every
consideration or public duty, to give my official
approral y esc laws being enacted smy consltu-
,ionat duty was equally plain 10 take care that
they wcfefaithfnlly executed But this | found
the mosf painful OF all my official duties Never
lheles< resolved 10 perform it, regardless of all
consequences tomyself; and in doing so, deter
Ipdned 10 know no North and no Southland no
friends but those who sustained the Constitution
and laws-and no enemies bat those who opposed
them.
The gratifying result OF this policy is before you
! xpd the country. The angry strife which for alime
threatened array State against State, and brother
against brother, and deluge our happy land with
fraeTnal blood, and desolata il withire and sword
has fortunately passed away. The sarging pillows
OF sectional agitation are Gained, and the public
mind is fast settling down 70 its accustomed chan
4 nelk and will soon renew lis wonted devotion 10
the Constitution and the Union.
Awaiting myself Of this happy change, ] had de-
termined when ghe present Congress met 10 an
nognee 10 the public, in my annual message, my
previous resolution not 10 suffer my name 10 come
before the National Convention for nomination
| accordingly prepared paragraph to that effect,
but was finally persu2dedt to strike il out, lest il
might have an uniayorabie influence upon the then
pending election in Virginia Alter tha, had pass
ed concluded TO Withdraw my name BY pub
iishca4address 10 the people, and prepared one ac
cordingy; but this coming to the knowledge Of
some OF my friends they represented 10 me that my
withdrawal at that time, would not only endanger
the perpetuiiy Of those measures which l
deemed SO essential to the peace and welfare fihe
country, but would sacrifice many friends who had
stood " my administration in the dark and peril
GUS crisis through which it bad so recently passed
The first was an appeal to my patriotism, and the
second 10 my gratitude could resist nenher, and
therefore yielded 10 their request, and consented
that my name should remain where il was, until
fine should show, as Lprcsumed it would, that its
further could neither benefit them nor the cause
which VIC all had so much al heart. It was, how
ever distinctly understood thar could not consent
TO use any efforts 10 procure q nomination, but If
iseely and sulupisriiy iendeged should
notbe al liberty 10 decline II.
The embarrassing question now presents itself
who is to determine when the use Of my name can
no longer benefit my friends or our common cause
To assume 10 decide this myself in advance Of the
Convention, without consultation with those tyho,
haverso generously sustained me, might be deemed
BY them unjust. To consult them IS uiterly i'm
practicable, and 10 suffer my name TO 20 into a
contest for the n5ninaiion Is contrary 10 my oripi-
nel intention, andSnaerly repngnant 10 my feelings
| have, therefore, without consultation with any
one felt jusiiliedip assuming the responsibility OF
authorizing and requesting MIR. Babcock either
before or alter any vote may be taken ia the Con-
veniion and whenever he shall be satisfied thai
have discharged mr. duty TO my friends and The
country, 10 prcsent4his letter, and withdraw nv
name ffpm the consideration Of the Convention
trust that my friends will appreciate the neces-
silly which compels me 10 act without consulting
them. lwon!d cheerlally make any personal sAcii-
fee foT their sakes orfJr the good oil my ccuntry
but have nothing TO ask for myself. / yield with
sincere reluctance 10 their enTeaties TO suffer my
name TO remain before the public possible can
didate. knew that It placed me in false posi-
lion. foTesaw that il wonld subject me The base
imputa,ion Of seeking nomination, and OF using
The patronage oithe government y. obtain i, and
then TO Inc maiiliyfne Iaunis from The same maiis
nani source OF having been defeated But conscious
q my own integrity, cheeriully consented 10 en-
counter all this, rather Than that my friends should
feel that was indifferent. either to them or tie
cause, and am most happy to avail myself OF this
occasion to return my sincere thanks, and TO en-
press the grateful emotions Of my heart, TO those
friends OF The ecnn'rY who have so generously and
SO nobly stood BY the Constitution and the Union,
during the portions sc, nesthrough which we have
ny may cherish and reward lhem according %
heir merit.
hope and rust iaa. ny a,hdfawai may enable
msfe deserving sapddate one who 4 eIsesd su nag
be more successful in winning and retaining he
confidence ot The parry @ which he i attached,
.aan nsye psen pss.oc1 as We weie upon my
importance, il was impossible for me 10 pursue The
course which would satisfy all. have not s,smpi-
right than what would please; and shall feel no
Disappointment a. hndlng that my conduct has, in
Az nun y nv,
ali times be subject Of felieaton to any man that
cling himself Thisis a consequence which Meth,
er he nor bis friends have any cause ioTegres and