Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-27
NUMBER 19l.
Mr.. Jeakins's Letter.


command the admiration Of the people of Georgia,
"a well for the pure spirit and devoted patriotism
which is breathed in every sentence and word, as
for the distinguished source whence It emanatey.
We commend 1t, therefore, to the careful consid.
ration Of every reader.
However congenial 1t may be 10 the wishes and
feelings Of Mr.. Jenkins to occupy private station
Turing the approaching canvass we are confident
the friends with whom he has 40 long acted, with
'uch distinguished honor to himself and benefit
% the State, will not acquiesce In that decision.
On the contrary we feel assured that they will
make the effort to press him into service, and
place him again before the people for the Exccu-
tive chair, The correctness Of this opinion, the
events of few weeks will abundantly test and
We submit the matter to the people, with an abid-
ing confidence IN their discretion and patriotism
Aagasta (Geo.) Chronicle.
AUGUSTA, 18th June, 1855.
Mr. DEAR Sir: I have received your letter in
quiring whether or not will be candidate for
Executive Office, and what, In my opinion wo
old Union men ought to do" In order to do my
self justice must, before answering your first in
quiry, briefly review some Of the occurrences of
the present year. neither expected nor desired to
be q candidate for the Office in question hut,
yielding to the wishes, publicly and privately ex.
pressed, OF many who had given me generous
support in the last canvass, have repeatedly said
that It called upon by those friends would re-
spond afdrmativey. think not err in saying,
that for while, the indications were that the op-
ponents Of the present Federal and State admin
istrations would unite upon me- Soon, however.
II appeared that many Of them who had preyou-
ly been my firm, undertaking supporters, had con-
nected themselves with new political organization
and were disinclined to vote for any man without
its PALE This statement was repeatedly made 10
me, and was urged by persons who were, and ty
others who were not members, to Join this new o.
ganization which, after serious consideration, and
with the most thorough conviction of duty Ipos-
lively declined to do You will remember thit
after having been repeatedly and urgently pressed
upon the consideration Of the public through the
newspapers, In connection with the oilice uI Gov
ernor, my name was suddenly dropt ] advert 10
the fact only TO say that this followed Immediately
upon my refusal to join the new political conn, c.
ton referred to. do not complain of the course
pursued towards me by the new party Although
unable to agree with them, believe their motives
are patriotic, and cheerfuly concede that tley
were as free 70 withhold their sufrages from me- as
was to decline party association with them.
Here was willing to let the matter rest feeling
neither chagrin regret that the public eve Lad
been averted from me. Still, however, those of
my political friends, who, like myself, were con-
tent with the Union organization, formed uron
what is called the Georgia PLATFORM continued 10
urge me forward-some (of whom you are onel
my announcement without nomination.
and Others calling for convention of the Union
party. This has induced a review of tho wbol,.
ground, that might reach conclusion al ono,
consistent with my duty as citizen, and inst IN
myself The result is that / see the people of
Georgia preparing for an active political contest
and that there are, at present, but two oreuniz,
parties In the State, viz, the Democratic md d.
Know-Nothng or American, unless the tenpt-
rance association may be called politico! party.
know not how its adherents may fesard 4, but
sincerely respecting their motives sd feeings,.
shall not do tho cause the iaja-y Of placing il in
that category. II Ia, / believe, pretty generally
conceded that those who are not within either Of
these organizations are too few In number for eE-
fectve, independent action. | have concluded
that being neither Democrat nor a
Know Nothing, there is no place for me In this
contest. There can be no palmer proposition, tban
that he, who in times of high party excitement,
finds himself without party, is not only fietd
from all obligations Of duty VI present himself ss
a candidate for popular suh'rag but Is forbidden,
by proper selfrespect 10 do 50.
Independently Of these considerations, there il
another difficulty in the way OF my capdiday.
| presume the supporters Of each candidate Ibe
they few or many viii expect him TO canvass
the Sate--to speak whenever a convenient stump
can be found. This am resolved not to do. |
greatly prefer the ancient usage Of the Republic,
that Of selecting candidates whose merits arc
known " tue people. and then leaving the people
on comparison Of those merits, TO choose between
them. | answer you, therefore, my dear sir,
that under existing circumstance, I decline b.
ing candidate, and sincerely trust shall hear
no more on the subject
To your second inquiry, what shall be done by
those situated az you are, I answer, that Ia my
opinion the proper courre s, 10 adopt the r.com-
mendation Of the meeting recently held In Tenn
perance Hall, Columbus. That proposes conven-
ton Of the people Of the State Irrespective Il
party distinctions. II looks TO the united action
Of conservative men everywhere, North, South,
East and West to put down a crusade against
particular section Of the Union--not a sectional
party, but party co-extensiye with the Union, TO
crush sectional enerodchme,iE II is a proposition
full Of patriotism. IL has been treated by one
party with silent contempt. That is to be greatly
deplored, but IL all others will come up TO tho
call, ii may yet yield many leaves for the healing
Of the nation. If our ov-Nothing or Ameri-
can friends viii unite In the movement, the OBJ
ject may be accomplished; II not, II must fail,
and then you and !, and others similarly situated,
must stand aside until some party shall rise In the
land whose principles and practices commend Il
TO our support IL we may rely upon professions,
there never has been time when we could be so
comfortable In state Of isolation.
Since December, 1880, our humble efforts have
been devoted 10 the maintenance Of the position
then assumed by Georgia In Convention, and now,
IL Woid appear, there ID no party within her bor-
ders, to gainsay IT, IL Is not TO be supposed that
they who constructed the platform win abandon IT,
We have seen that the Democratic party, by their
recent convention, have given it tardy approval.
May they be as slow 70 reaounce as they have been
10 adopt IT, Had they made Il their platform,
unique in structure and primary In importance, in.
stead Of using its tmbers to prop their rickety,
decaying party structnre-had they met the over.
ture for Georgans to stand upon II as one people,
one party--we should have hailed their action N
an omen Of better times. As il Is, we should think
Il safer in the keeping Of men who, like its build
ers, and like the patriots, recently assembled in
Temperance Hall, Columbus, have shown them
selves capable Of abandoning ancient party alliances,
and devotng themselves with singleness Of pur-
pose to its maintenance until IL shall be recog-
nisea in the legislation OF Congress and vindcated
in the general sentiment Of the country. Nv fond-
est political aspiration is that in the hour of trial.
(if come it must ! may be permitted TO see Geor-
gia maintain that position with a frmness and
4 IL.