Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-08


Examiner says:
"In the following letter, addressed to the editor
of this paper, we have the formal announce
ment of the purpose Of the friends Of Judge
Douglas to urge his claims TO the Democratic
nomination for the Presidency. Our observa-
tons few weeks ago on this subject are made
the text of this very able and important letter.
The widely prevalent belief and the generally
alleged ground Of the belief, which we stated
as having obtained extensive currency in the
Union, as to Judge Douglass supposed with
drawal from the candidacy, have elected from
Mr. Singleton the spirited and eloquent para
graphs of this letter.
"We deeply regret that this announcement of
his friends was not made months ago; for we
are very much inclined to believe that other
aspirants to this nomination, it may be those
who have seemed most devoted to Judge
Douglass fortunes, have very much profted
by the delay, especially in the Southern States
WASHINGTON, Feb. IS, 1856.
TO The Editor Of the Examiner.
DEAR SIR: Upon arriving in this city on
yesterday from the State of Illinois, on my way
to the Old Dominion to visit my relations, |
happened to see copy of your paper of the
9Th instant, containing an article under the
caption "Who shall be the next Democratic
candidate for the Presidency" With the
general sentiments and views expressed in the
article | entirely concur, nor would / have
thought of ntruding myself upon your notice
but tor the following paragraph contained in il:
''As to Mr.. Douglas, We understand on good
authority that he will not allow his name to be
used in connection with the nomination. The
reason of this withdraw of his name from the
lists we understand to be the consideration
that he has rendered himself peculiarly obnoxi-
Gus to the ireesol sentiment of the North by
his authorship and championship of the Kan
sas-Nebraska BILL and the impression that
large class of moderate Northern men who
might be induced to vote for sound Demo
cratic candidate not Immediately connected
with the bill might be influenced BY the rancor
of freesol to vote against him. This impress
sion has induced many of his best friends to
believe that Mr. Douglas could not go into the
contest with the prospect of carrying q suffc-
emily large Northern vote as, united with the
South, to secure majority of the electoral
college We do not ourselves assent to the
conclusions of these men. We believe that the
more bitterly and rancorously a good man is
opposed for patriotic action The more certain
he is to elicit unlooked-for hosts of friends and
supporters from among the masses of the
people. We have an instructive feeling that
this would be the result if Mr. Douglas were
entrusted with the Democratic banner in the
next contest, and that be would receive vote
at the North that would be as astonishing as
it would be gratifying TO the South. But it is
not for us TO advocate the claims of one who
is understood to forbid the use of his name in
connection with the nomination"
So long as the assertion was made that Judge
Douglas would prefer seat in the United
States Senate 10 the Presidential chair, Ger.
tainly should never have taken the trouble to
contradict it, for the reason that it implies no.
thing derogatory 10 him or his friends. But
when it is stated by so respectable journal as
the Examiner, and connected with another
statement, that he forbids the use of his name
from the consideration that she has rendered
himself particularly obnoxious to the freesoil
sentiment of the North by his authorship and
championship Of the Kansas-N Nebraska bill,
and the impression that large class Of mode
rate Northern men who might be induced to
vote for a sound Democratic candidate not i'm
huenced by the rancor of freesoil to vote against
him." when, ] say, / see such a statement
made, and upon such reasons, j feel il a mat
ter Of duty as an Ilinoisian and friend and
supporter Of Judge Douglas and the Kansas.
Nebraska bill to say something upon the sub
ject aud write 10 you with more freedom
because i am Virginia by birth and educa-
ton, although have been for twenty-five years
past a citizen of Illinois
The extract have quoted contains (unin-
tenlionally OF course) an imputation not only
upon the personal and political honor OF Judge
Douglas, but upon the integrity Of the national
men Of the North; and, in my estimation, both
he and they should he vindicated What is
the idea conveyed by the remark cited? Ii is
that Judge Douglas has originated, sustained
and established measure in the legislation Of
the country the consequences of which he is
afraid to meet by becoming candidate for the
Presidency. 1t implies political cowardice
1t in effect declares that he has raised an ex-
element in the country which has given
strength TO freesoilism, and that now. when in
appearance his party is environed by difficulties,
he wants to skulk and dodge the blows that
might be struck at him if standing at the head
of his party in national political battle; that
he fears to risk his political fortunes upon an
issue made by himself and that he desires TO
wait until the political horizon shall have
cleared up before he will risk himself upon the
troubled ocean Of Presidential contest.
Now, let me say that have known Judge
Douglas personally and intimately for twenty
years and until this great national issue was
raised ] was his open, decided, aud active po-
litical opponent. As a member Of the Illinois
Legislature | gave my first rote against the
mass Of my old political associates and friends
in support of the Kansas n ebraska bill, then
Just introduced by Judge Douglas into the
Senate Of the United States. But, although
for so long time opposed to him in politics, it
is due to him 10 say that he never lodged any
political issue or Stunned any political respon-
sibility, nor do / believe he is capable Of doing
SO now. In order, therefore, to repe this inn
putation, the friends Of Judge Douglas in the
Northwest will feel il their duty to present his
name a candidate for the Presidency in the
full conviction that he will not interpose his
individual wishes 10 thwart the consummation
Of purpose so necessary for their mutual
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