Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-29

nation itself may be confirmed and ratified by the good
people Of the Commonwealth at the approaching annual
election, remain, my dear sir, most faithfully,
Your friend and servant ROBT. G. WINTHROP.
| The Hon. EMORY WAsHBURN, Worcester.
WORCESTER, Der Is, 1858
Hon. ROBERT c. WINTHROP:
DEAR SIR On my arrival ut Halifax on Thursday last
learned with entire surprise, from Boston paper which
accidentally saw there, that the Convention which
sembed at Fitchburg the 2Sth September last had
proposed to present my to the people OF the Com
monweath as candidate for the Office of Governor at
the coming election.
Your favor of the 14th instant has officially confirmed
that statement, and propriey requires that should
ply at the earliest convenience.
should be doing injustice to the distinguished body
over whose deliberations you ably presided
forbear expressing my high OF honor they have
conferred upon And if any thing could add value to
this would be the very in which you
were pleased to communicate the action of that Conven
| ton.
could not be at loss rs to my reply if might fol-
low my wishes what is due to those who de-
pendant upon me- as freely do my feelings
in gratefully acknowledging the in which the
| mnation was made.
But beg leave to say in the first place. that elevated
is the office, and worthy of the ambition any man. it
is to which have aspred had the slight
est expectation or wish to be regarded candidate for
It, And II now felt at liberty to act in reference to my
self alone could not hesitate decline the honor which
has been rendered me by the Convention.
cannot, however, be unconscious that there may be
inclination interest to the public good have too
Often and in too public manner expressed my sincere
conviction that upon the maintenance of the great prn-
cples advocated by the Wings Of Massachusetts, depends
her prosperity, to be at liberty now with any regard TO
consistency, TO decline to act in accordance with that
sentiment.
1t cannot be concealed that the ateness Of the hour at
which, in consequence of my absence from the country
refusal to allow my name to be used must be made
might endanger full and efficient organization of the
Wing party in the present struggle
Nor it be overlooked that the Importance Of this
struggle is immensely enhanced by the consideration that
to the Wings of Massachusetts, in great is
entrusted the sacred duty of guarding that veneraed
Constitution under which she has long and gnaly
prospered and of preserving Of its best guarantees
from the dangers which threaten To snhvert them
In view Of these and kindred considerations which
upon my mind have consented that my may be
used as desired by the Convention and accept the nom
nation with which they have honored And should
the people Of the Commonwealth fit to ratify this
nomination at the ballot-box, do than as
them that honest endeavor shall be wanting
my part to discharge its high trusts with fidelity all
Permit to add that, in selecting o candidate,
am bound to suppose that reference had to acts
done and opinions expressed reasonably presumed,
from what was already known TO the public before tie
nomination was made
Nothing that say in the way of professions,
for the purpose of winning favor be entitled to suf
hcient consideration determine the question of fitness
for office. The very making of such professions could
hardly fail to create just suspicion Of dshonorable
disDgenuous motives.
III, therefore, am 70 be regarded rs candidate for
the office for which have been nominated must stand
upon whatever Of character for honesty independence
or fitness may have acquired, and not upon any
professions Of moral political faith which may be sought
for from any quarter the of an election.
must 90 into that Office, if at ALL free act in all
things my Of duty shall dictate when the
gency may arise.
cannot consent to give up my independence citi
by being placed in official station if the right and
power to follow whatever line Of duty may open before
me must be limited or trammeed by even the open ex-
preston Of immature opinion formed upon partial
knowledge consideration Of the grounds upon which it
ought TO rest.
With these explanations, and Of undi
mnished desire to advance the great leading doctrines
which the Wings Of Massachusetts, have hitherto main
taned subscribe myself with sentiments Of high respect
and esteem your obliged friend and obedent servant
EMORY WASHBURN.