Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-04-01

To the Editor of the Union:
Will YOU do me the favor to give me an opportn-
nifty of contradicting a statement which appears IN
the Richmond Whigs of Saturday last am re-
ally obliged to the g Whig whatever were its MT
tives for furnishing this fair and public occasion
of thoroughly defining my own position :
The Whig' has been pleased to name some OF
the politicians of Virginia as applicants for Office at
the hands of the President They have abilities
enough defend themselves. 1t is sufficient tor me
10 explain my own course, without the slightest IN
tention Of casting any censure upon men for whom
entertain the sincerest respect. The following Is
the extract from the Richmond wing Whlcn re-
lates to myself:
From uhispers that have reached u.s. we infer
that the list given above does embrace onehalf
or even one-twentieth Of the patriotic Flrgnans
who are eager the model republic for con-
sderation. The names of some Of these have sur
prsed us-thongh nothing should be surprising in
these latter days. Of course, the great number Of
applicants renders it impossible that al should be
gratifed. This intense competition has led 10 the
adoption Of the principle Of selection which presi-
ded at the nomination of Gen. Pierce. From three
to dozen applicants, for instance, powerfully re-
commended. present themselves for the same office
The appointing power investigates their claims; and
thinking it dangerous to crafty any one to the dis
satisfaction of the rest adopts the expedient OF CIV
ing it to some unknown. or before unnamed man
This milk and water policy, desi gned to please eve
rybody is said have the effect Of pleasing nobody
Each protests that he would much rather his open
and worthy rival had got the place than the tertium
lxi ins gnifcant who bears off the prize. This was
the case, report goes with respect to the Office OF
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury A MIR Wa
te son, NJ C, from Tennessee and the elder Mr.
| Richie, were said to be the competitors-both pow
erfullY backed. he struggle threatened to shake
the Brigadiers throne to its foundations. The issue
dndged by setting aside both, and giving the
coveted post to Mr.. Peter G. Washington, who was
no applicant, but who, we may we'll imagine, eyed
with keen interest the progress of the internecine
war. The Richmond custom house and the marshal
ship of Eastern Virginia said to be in the same
sort Of fix now and it may be that most of the IN
disposedo of jobs are in like manner suspended be
tween hawk and buzzard."
There has been no struggle for the Office referred
to- so far as | am informed and certainly the histc
ry of my connexion with it is perfectly gratut
Gus d unfounded.
So far, indeed, this statement refers to myself
it is not only not true but it is the very reverse
the fact. | have been applicant for Office
whatever and if the President had been kind cnOugl
| to tender anyappointment should have promp
thy and most respectfully declined it. have made NJ
secret of this resolution. On the contrary, hav
proclaimed it, it were, from the house-tops
have gratuitously declared it in two letters 10 tw
members Of the cabinet. | have voluntarily anC
personally made the same declaration to The Presi
dent himself. He has offered me no Office, and o
course he will offer me none now. At the sam
time deeply appreciate the courteous compliment
he has been kind enough to pay me- Franklin Pierre
has high destiny to fulfl and no man can more
cordially wish him the most brilliant thai
the unambitous individual who puts his name +
this hasty paper
| intend this card to be the last notice which
shall take of the dispensation of the public patron
age. And, therefore, permit me to close with tn
following extract of letter which addressed man
days ago to member Of the cabinet
g: ask nothng-I will accept nothing, from the admins
tration leave the loave and fishes to those who bette
qualified dschag the duties Of Office to enjoy its honor
and endure its burdens.''
Respectfully, THOMAS RICHIE.
He2y~I ask the favor of the Richmond Enquirer t
publish this card-and cannot doubt that the Rich
mond Wing will do me the justice to lay it befor
: its readers.