Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-05-10
MR.. GIDDINGS ON THE REPUBLICAN,
CANDIDATE.

In reply to an article in the Washington Union
Mr.. Giddings writes to the Ashtahula Sentinel tho
following letter:
WASHINGTON CRY, April "a, 1856.
The Washington Union of Tuesday attributes 10
me the sentiments expressed in tho Sentinel Of tho
18th, respecting Col. Fremont and Judge Mclean.
as Presidential candidates. That article was from
the pen Of the editor, who had not heard or receiv-
cd from me any intimation on the subject. Nor
am L aware OF having expressed any opinion for or
against, any candidate; nor is it my intention TO
do so. My duties so far as | understand them,
being the maintenance of principles connected
with the legislation of the country, and not 10 pro-
mote, nor to oppose the claims of any man to office.
1t has hitherto been and is now, my object to call
public attention to the doctrines inculcated by tho
Republican fathers, and to impress those princi-
pies upon the popular mind, and make their sup
port the test by which candidates for the Presiden-
cy ana all other Offices shall be judged.
1t were useless for me TO say that neither the
people nor myself can judge Of q candidate unless
have constantly urged the friends of Col. Fremont
to see that his doctrines were placed on record and
published to the world. l have never intima.ed
an unkind feeling toward him, nor of opposition TO
his election. On the contrary l have constantly
said that ] would sustain him with the greatest
pleasure, if lie holds to the right and duty of Con-
gress to exclude slavery from our territories and
receives the nomination. This rule l apply to-
every candidate and | do not believe the people
will either support or nominate any man whose
views on this subject shaR be withheld from the
public. Nor will the people be willing to rs-
re ceive the assurance of myself, or of other indi.
viduals IN regard to the views of candidates. Tho
views OF each should be expressed by their past
conduct, or by distinct avowol over his avowal over
his own signature. We cannot afford to be deceiv-
ed at this important crisis.
When | say | have expressed no hostility TO any
candidate, | will add, l have expressed no choice
in favor of any indidual:-but ] stand pledged TO
support the Philadelphia nominee, if he be openly
committed to our policy. If such candidate DO
nominated, his election may be regarded as certain
while any attempt of the Philadelphia Convention
to follow past examples by taking q candidate
whose opinions are uncertain and unknown, must
insure defeat.
Our candidate must command support because
his principles are knourn TO be right, and not for the
reason that his friends don't know whether thew
are right or wrong. Let Judge Mclean or Col.
Fremont, or any other man spoken of, be the nomi-
nee because Of his adhesion to these principles.
and he will be elected without such adherence,
| app rehend defeat must await him. G.
The Anti-Slavery Standard of the party must
be low indeed when there can he the remotest DOS
sibility that Col. Fremont or Judge Mclean can
~worthily represent it. Republican candidates will
have an easy JOB to satisfy the hunkers of the
party if the "old fanatics like Mr.. Giddings can 10
satisfied by the position of candidates on the en-
dorsement of the Philadelphia Convention that
Judge Mclean and another like him will answer
their purpose.