Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-10

your OOt SeTV to'
RoB'T STRANGE, Jr.,
H. L. HOLMES,
w. C. BETTENCOURT,
JAMES FULTON,
CASTOR MEARES,
DANIEL DICKSON.
Hon. WILLIAM R. KING, U. s. Senate.
SENATE CHAMBER Sept. LIST. 1852.
Gentlemen Il have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your invitation in behalf of my fellow
citizens of New Hanover to partake of public din
ner at Wilmington, on the 4th of this month.
should be truly gra,fed to meet at the festive
board those friends in my old Congressional Dis
tret, from whose fathers [ received in the COM
mencement of my political career, such Jealous
and unwavering support
To the citizens of the Wilmington District, can
truly say, am principally indebted for whatever of
reputation may have acquired in the pubic SER
vice: for when was but mere boy in years. they
generously couided to me the important trust of
representing them in the Congress of the United
States, and thus led the way to my subsequent
ployment in other situations.
The evidence now afforded that still retain their
confidence and personal regard after being separa-
ted from them for many years, will be treasured
by me in grateful remembrance so long as life shall
last; and it is with deep regret that find myself
compelled by the infrm state of my health, to de-
cline their fattering invitation. I am completely
worn down by the confinement to which have been
subjected for many months, and find it necessa-
ry for the present, to avoid all exposure excite
ment, at least for weeks, and shall therefore
visit some watering place the coast, where rest
and seal bathing will, trust, soon restore me.
Be pleased, gentlemen, TO make known to my fell
low citizens of New Hanover, the reasons which
will at this time prevent from accepting their
inequalities
For the complimentary terms in which you have
been pleased to express the wishes of those for
whom you act, l beg you to accept my sincere
thanks.
With the highest respect, am gentlemen your
obedient servant,
WILLIAM R. KING.
Robert Strange, Jr., H. L. Holmes, w. C. Betten-
court James Fulton, Castor Meares, Daniel Dick
son, Committee.
From tho Washington Union.
MIR. Grahana's Letter.
We publish below a-letter, written by the Wing
candida tie for the Vice Presidency to the editor of
the Wilmington COMMERCIAL in which he expresses
his dissatisfaction with the Webster movement and
speaks in behalf of General Scott. Mr. Grahams
| acceptance of nomination ticket formed by
the enemies of the administration of which he was
| a member has not been considered very credtable
to him but the character of his letter to the
Wilmington Commercial hardly fail to call forth
severe censure. The nomination of General Scott
has produced widespread dissatisfaction in the Wing
ranks and has given rise to desire, in many quar-
tiers, to form new ticket. The Wilmington Com
mercial has put the names of Webster and Graham
at the head of its columns, and the letter of the
Wing candidate for the Vice Presidency was writ
ten to express his dissatisfaction with the proceed
ing. That he had right to do, and decacy did
lrHof FnrfI1 Had h. A.
one would have criticised his conduct But he has
taken advantage of the opportunity to commend
Gen Scott to the people of North Carolina by sta
ting that he favor of the compromise meas
ures when they were passed. That assertion has
been made by other persons who have reported pri-
vate conversations with General Scott, and it has
been met and exposed by the fact that General
SCOTS declarations in favor of the compromise did
not include the to which his abolition friends
and allies were opposed. The Pennsylvania State
Convention which nominated General Scott acouies-
ced in the compromise, but refused to acquiesce in
the fugitive slave law, and excluded it from the list
of compromise measures Up to a very recent date
if not to the present hour, many of Gen Scott's
i friends insist upon the distinction made in the
Pennsylvania Wing Convention. MIR. Graham
knew these facts: He well knew also that the
execution of the fugitive slave law was the cause OF
the ostracism of Mr. Webster and MIR. Fillmore
He knew that Gen. SCOTS name had been used BY
the wing abolitionsts, to make the fugitive
slave law, and to break down the administration
lie knew Cnat the fugitive slave law was the
ure of the compromise series in which the South was
interested-the only with regard to which his
position has given dissatisfaction to the southern
wings and caused the desire to run Webster tick
et He knew that in the very crisis of the formation
of northern whig opinion as to the maintenance OF
the compromise measures, including the fugitive
law Gen Scott, at the bidding of his abolition sup
porters stood obstinatey silent, while both of his
rivals for the nomination spoke out. He knew that
by of his silence, significant at such time
Gen. Scott became the chosen Sewardite nominee
These things being duly considered, Mr.. Graham's
letter must be regarded most disreputable eva
sion for it repeats the old story of Gen SCOTS Joy
st the passage of the compromise while all mention
of the real objection to him is studiously avoided
If candidates for the presidency the vice presiden
cy to become active canvassers in favor of their
tickets, then they should speak frankly to the peo
pie, and not rely on such equivocal and deceptive
language Mr.. Graham has employed to reconcile
the people of the South to Gen. Scotts nomination
after what has passed. think that any successful
effort to prove that Gen. Scott supporter of II
the measures of the compromise would place him in
most unenviabe attitude, and convict him of con-
duct which cannot be justified. 1t would make him
guilty of concealing bis opinions, and abandoning
his post in time of great public danger. 1t would
represent him to the people Withholding for selfish
purposes, his support from administration assail
ed for agreeing with him 1t would represent him
as going into the enemy's camp, and for personal
aggrandizement, uniting with them in war on his
: own opinions. Incorporate passions and an unset.
tied mind may palliate the vagaries of fanaticism
but the crminaliiy of Gen. SCOTS conduct if he is
friend of the compromise, cannot be softened for il
is cold, selfish, heartless treason to his principles
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