Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-08-11
Letter from Mr.. Usher.

ION TICKET. Inc IeaSOHS ne gives are SOUND, ana
impossible to be gainsayed, and should have
controlling weight with every American in the
State. Let his colleagues on the ticket act in
similar magnanimous spirit -
To the Hon. Thomas Colt, President Of the
american Convention at Sprtagfe1d, Juiy
l, 1856.
On the first day of July, at Convention as
sembled at Springfield, under a call ofthe State
Committee of the American party, of which
YOU was presiding officer, 1 was selected as
a candidate for Presidential Elector for Dis
trict No. 7.
The Convention also adopted as its candi-
dates, for President, John c. Fremont of CAL
ifornia and for Vice President, William +.
Johnston of Pennsylvania.
These nominations were adopted, not by the
entire Convention, but by a very large major
ity. l helped to make up the majority by my
vote. 1t seemed to that Convention that John
C. Fremont was the man for the time one
upon whom the friends of freedom might
unite better than upon any other mana man
in whose wisdom and patriotism all fair and
candid men may confide-one who, while he
would recognize the fact that there is North
and South, an East and West, vet that
these were but parts of the great and growing
nation, whose rights and interests must be re-
spected, to the end that the voice of every
American may proclaim with an emphasis that
shall be proof of its sincerity, "Liberty and
Union, now and forever
When the Convention met at Springfield,
the impression quite generally prevailed that
there would be general union upon VIM +.
Johnston for Vice President. This impression
seems to be fading away ; and have come to
the conclusion that, while on all hands there is
feeling of confidence in both Johnston and
Dayton, and a willingness among the. friends
of Fremont to have either of them as candi-
date for Vice President, the friends of freedom
respect them both /; and, in fact, have heard
no real preference expressed for one over the
other. With this state of things it is clear that
we ought to unite upon one or the other, and
with one united voice declare for Johnston or
Dayton.
lfthis impression is just and well founded,
it seems to me there is but one course for eve-
ry true American to pursue. This is not
struggle for men-we are not to arouse the
great American heart, as it has never been
aroused since the revolution, merely to place
this, that, or the other man in office, but to es-
ablish upon an unalterable foundation the
great Democratic principles upon which this
nation has stood up to this time, and, with the
blessing Of God. these States shall stand to the
and honored abroad, because just and har-
monious at home.
1t seems to me that Fremont's election
would tend to bring the government back to
its first principles as illustrated by Washing
ton, Jefferson and jackson. AS an old Dem
ocrat, one who means to adhere to the doc
trines of Democracy, as illustrated by the faith
ers, go for Fremont In doing so, 1 think
| give the power of my vote to enforce that
kind Of Democracy which give life, power,
and force to Andrew Jackson, and which Sc.
cured to his administration the respect of all
men who desire the perpetuity and prosperity
of this great nation.
shall vote for Fremont, as l should have
done for jackson, because of his infexible adj
herence to Democratic principles, and for his
determination to support the Union of these
States as one and indivislble.
If both the American and Republican par
ties adhere to their respective nominations for
Vice President, it is clear that the success of
Fremont will be endangered.
All the friends of real democratic doctrines
should bring their whole power to bear in ia
B BGt IF t Ehe4RR i two sets Of electors are
for Dayton, Fremont will suffer. 1 am an
American, as | understand Americanism. l
desire to advance American doctrines-I stand
on the Springfield platform am friend of
! William F. Johnston, and should be most
happy to see him Vice President; but so far
1 as American doctrines are concerned, l think
it matters not which is Vice President,-John
! ston or Dayton.
| Ii | should receive the necessary number of
votes to make me an elector on the Fremont
and Johnston ticket, l should not feel author
lied to change my vote from Johnston to
| Dayton, (even though my vote should do
| Johnston no good and might elect Dayton
| for the reason that Presidential Elector has
clear and specific duty assigned him, to wit
| to vote for the very men for President and
Vice President designated by his constituents,
and no others.
l believe that all the friends of the Consti-
tuition and Union should overcome all minor
matters, and unite as one man for Fremont
and Johnston, or Dayton. know it will re-
! quire some sacrifice to do it, so far as men are
concerned, and 30 far as party pride is at
stake. But we should remember that he who
| makes the greatest sacrifice to establish and
enforce great principle, is the noblest. And
| now is the time to forget everything in the
struggle before us, but the great democratic
idea which must underlie this Republic to
the end that it may march on from one de-
| gree OF prosperity to another, and thus fulfil
the destiny which Providence has seemed to
mark out for it. am DESTROYS of doing every
| thing in my power to unite all in favor of
Fremont, to the end that he may fill the Exc
utive chair for the next four years and be-
| lieve that evil land only evil would result from
supporting two sets of Electors, and am also
| fully impressed with the belief that it is wise
for all who are in favor of Fremont to unite
in Convention and put forth. one set of Elect.
ors who are known and acknowledged Ere
mont men; and for said Convention to de-.
clare its preference for the one or the other of
these men; and finally instruct the Electors
to choose either of the two that would give
success to the great principles for which we
are contending. In this way Massachusetts
will utter but one voice. By this it seems to
me the Interests of the great principles which
now agitate the country would be subserved,
and In giving power and force to them we
but strengthen the American Party and the
! American Union.
That may not stand in the way Of such q
result, would most respectfully decline ac-
eeptlng the nomination rendered me at SPRING
field as candidate for Presidential Elector. [
do this on my own judgment and without the
advice Of others, with the hope and belief
that such course will be adopted as to unite
all the friends of Fremont ms one man.
Very Respectfully Yours,
JAMES M. USHER.
DUELLING.-This barbarous practice is. as