Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-04
Letter from George Law.
243, FIFTH AVENUE, I
New YORK, Jan. /, 1856.

NEW YORK, Jan. l, 1856. {
DEAR SIR: received your letter and its in
closure last evening. do not regard it as any
departure from the rule / have prescribed for
nv conduct not to interfere personally beyond
a proper exposition of my political principles
in the questions now pending before the PEG
pie of the United States, and in which my
name has been mingled, as one that possibly
might be placed by the American party on its
ticket at the next Presidential election, 10 ex-
press to you my Acknowledgements for your
kindness III vind c, tlng my character as you
have'in the article you enclosed TO me. Nor
do conceive inCelicate or improper for n
to say to you that | am grateful to you for
your defense. Not on account of any Influence
it NAV have in reference to the American
nomination so much as becuase il repels charges
against my integrity OF conduct as a man and
as a citizen.
The charges alluded to in the article are
false and foul aspersions, destitnteof shadow
of truth. Exalted as | regard the Chief Magis-
tracy of this Confederacy of sovereign States,
| do not seek it, The man who dares seek ii
is unworthy of it. 1t is trust Of transcendant
dignity, the highest on earth; but it is also ot
equal responsibility, and for the faithful execu-
ton of its duties, those who may occupy it
have fearful accountability to their country
and to their GOd. But hold my reputation
as man dearer and more valuable TO myself,
to my partner in life, and to my children,
than any political position, howtv'r high. to
which | could be- preferred Office would
cease To reflect honor ON any man if dishonor
able means were employed to obtain it, and
especially are those referred to in the charges
You defend me against dishonorable.-
A PEiladelphu paper sent to me yesterday
(marketD aludes to me as having ''plenty of
money" and disposed ITO spend it freely" and
as having, in consequence, great influence in
the primary elections" in this State. What
ever may be the fact in reference To my private
pecuniary circumstances. the means | have
accumulated have been earned by no little
personal toll. and do not feel that it is indeli
cate or egotistical for me also to say by my
honest industry and frugality, always gratefully
acknowledging the favor of Divine Providence.
What have had sense sufficient to earn
and save / trust may have sense enough to
keep for more useful and honorable and worthy
purpose than to spend it in attempts To cor
rupt the elective franchise. have been told
by friends that an Easton (Pa) paper, and a
paper published in your town Il think It Is
called the Gazette, but am not certain), have
also dSSdIcu ill0 III likS manner, Uub Il nave
not seen the articles. All such charges, by
whomsoever or wheresoever made, are utterly
untrue; | should despise myself if there was
any foundation in truth for them. So, too, L
have been informed of some individuals having
made similar allegations verbally; and in two
or three instances friends Of mine have taken
some pains TO trace the ISLANDERS 10 their source,
and it is a suggestive fact that ip every such
tha inu furnaH .uf IN ha
who had manifested some sOlicitude to prefer
pledges TO advocate the views and sustain the
wishes of my friends, for a consideration, but
whose advances had been rebuked. When
anything having the slightest appearance OF q
hint of such object has been made by letter to
myself, il has been, met with silent contempt.
If have misunderstood any gentleman in this
respect, | most sincerely regret it, and will
atone for my errer.
Since the charges referred to have been
preferred against me, have inclined to the
opinion that justice to my country, my party,
and myself may require the prompt pubca-
ton of every letter containing any proposals
or suggestion looking to such object that IL
hereafter written to me. do not consider the
recipient of an insult to himselfis under any
obligation not to expose those who perpetrate
the insult. defy any and all who may be
opposed To me politically, and any persOnas
enemies, if | have such (though | know Of
none, cinnot suppose that am exempt from
the common lot OF men in this regardO TO
specify = solitary instance in which have di
rectly or indirectly authorized or.couhlenanced
or in any form or shape done anything To jus
tify the imputations made. | have msde no
promises TO any one of any kind. j do n0t
believe any friend of mine has acted different
ly. IL ans one has, the wishes | have ex
pressed in tliis respect have been disregarded.
have heretofore contributed as became ne
towards the legitimate aud proper expenses Of
fine political parry'to which / have been a..
tached, sueI Us printing notices, ROOMS for
meeting, lights, stands, banners, music, and
the like. Ii | bad mot, should have been
justly subject 10 the imputation of parsilnony
aud meanness Those who acted with me IN
the national Democracy from lS4l to 1862
can state my course in this respect then.
Since my name has been mentioned 10 con-
nection with the Presidency, have been cun-
strained by my convictions OF propriety and
by prudence TO allow the charge OF singinese
to be made aga INST me, in preference TO giving
the slightest groand for SUCH accusation Ms you
have defended me against. have even felt
that caution and restraint were necessary In
the bestowaf of ordinary charities and acts Oi
kindness and friendship, Ia prevent such i'm
putations being made. have acted with
such extreme circunspection, because | con
sidered il not only to be due 10 my character
aud feelings as an honest ma. q. d will AID
also, because have some pride OF principle,
and likewise because l am hot inseusiAe 10
the good opinion Of my fellIow-men.
! assure You, my friends, those who maligu
me by these charges do not know Inc. plBce
too high an estimate upon the American par
y 10 believe for q moment that any attempt
TO control il by money would have any eiiec,
TO advance the prospects of any man who
would make such effort. ] fell thaG.-if the &C
cusations yon have answered IN my behalf
were true, right-minded men ought 10 de-
nounce and sc0rn me as unworthy the small
esf office or trust, and much more unworthy
the Presidency Of the United States. II ! am
ever nominated for the Presidency, or Il ele-
waited 70 that Office, il must be by The volana
ry, unbought, and unsolicited sulfrages of my
coansryInen. | will not resort 10 Intrigue or
deception to attain q nomiaatlon 10 that exai
ted place, DOR TO aid my chances q sa cleo
sian, il nominated, and II elected. ! will not
disbonor the otiiee aud my country by Perhdy
10 ms friends, or Injustice 10 those who may
have opposed my election, or those who in
the exercise Of their rights disagree with me
- 10 my official course.
In SLOWING my iriends "a use my name (If /
know my own liearl) ] have not been ado
eneed ~ any selfish OBJECT for lsglstlf ~ OH
err. The mainsensnce VI the Lollos aud tie