The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON, D. C, JUNE 2e, 1856
Judge Spaulding then read the subjoined let,

Judge Spaulding then read the subjoined let
ter from Judge Mclean:
CHAPEL WooD, Jane IA, 1856.
have repeatedly declared, as some OF you
know, that have no desire for the Presidency,
and that | prefer my present position on the
Bench. From the partial estimate OF my SER
vices and long experience in public affairs, my
friends have supposed that l might be able to
contribute somewhat to the adjustment OF the
exciting questions which now agitate the pub
lie mind, and threaten q dissolution OF the
Union. This consideration was presented 10 me
as reason why l should not refuse to permit
my name to be used with the names OF others
for the office of Chief Magistrate at least so
far as to ascertain some indication of the pub
lie opinion and l consented, with the under
standing that might withdraw it at any time,
without any imputation of unkindness to my
friends.
l feel, as ought, the high responsibility, the
frmness, and the wisdom, required to discharge
successfully 30 momentous trust as the chief
executive Office at the present crisis; and am
brought to distrust my poor abilities for 30 en-
inent a charge. But my mind has been made
up, that, if elected / would reform the Govern
ment, and rest the executive power on the great
principles of the Constitution, or fall in the at
tempt. On no other condition could | accept
the Office of President. This involves no sec
tionalism, except that which arises from the
independence of State Government, and the
fundamental law of the Union.
The time has arrived when a nomination is
to be made for President. perceive several
names are to be brought before the Convention
for that high Office; and desire to say to my
friends, that to accomplish the object above ex-
pressed will require hearty and vigorous CO.
operation of all the elements of the party about
to make the nominations and if these shall be
likely to combine more strongly in favor of any
other person, wish my friends to withdraw
my name, without a struggle in the Convention.
In such an event, shall have done all that can
be required of citizen, and shall feel no re-
proach.
With sentiments of the highest esteem and
obligation, l am, gentlemen, your obedient
servant JOHN MCLEAN.
Hon. II. p. Spaulding and others, Dele
gates from Ohio TO the Republican
Convention at Philadelphia.
Judge Spaulding said that, with the discretion
vested in him by that letter, he would withdraw
the name of Judge Mclean from the canvass.
Loud cries of " No! nol"l
Thomas j. Mitchell, of Ohio, next appeared
on the stand, and after passing an encomium
on the talents, integrity, and craftsmanship of
q gentleman whose name had been mentioned
in connection with the Presidency, proceeded
to read the following letter:
COLUMBUS, June IL, 1856.
My DEAR SIR: AS you will attend the Con.
vention about to assemble at Philadelphia, for
the nomination of candidates for the Presidency
and VipQ Proc.Aopny n - . al,
some friends of our cause, in common with your
self, will desire to submit my name to the Con-
vention in connection with the first of these Of
fees, it seems proper that 1 should explain to
you, briefly but clearly, my own views in relation
to the matter.
l need not say that should regard nomi-
nation for so distinguished position, by such
Convention as that which will assemble on the
18th, as an honor not to be easily over-valued
But no one, perhaps, knows better than yourself
how persistently and earnestly the labors of my
political life have ever been directed to the pro-
motion of the cause of Freedom, Progress, and
Reform, of which, l trust, the Convention will
prove itself a faithful guardian. The success
of that cause is infinitely dearer to me than any
personal advancement, and / should look upon
any nomination for any office, however exalted,
II preJudicial to it, as calamity to be dreaded
and avoided, rather than as distinction to be
sought and desired. At the present crisis es-
pecially, when the policy of Slavery propaganda
ism, adopted by the existing Administration
has been formally sanctioned by the platform
OF the Convention recently assembled at Cincin-
natl, when the free State of Kansas, demanding
into the Union, is repealed by party
majority, acting under the dictation of the Slave
Power; and when the cries of our Free State
brethren In Kansas, insulted, oppressed, despoil
ed, Imprisoned, and in imminent jeopardy of
life as well as liberty, are appealing to us for
help, it would i'll become any true friend of Lib
erty and Justice to allow any personal consider
atoms whatever to sta nd in the way of that com.
plete union which is essential to the redress of
these wrongs
trust, therefore, that those generous friends
who have been thinking of presenting my name
to the Convention, will consider we'll the effect
OF such action upon our common cause. If
after duly weighing all circumstances, they come
TO the conclusion that, under existing conditions,
the cause will receive detriment through nv
nomination, l desire that my name may be
withheld altogether from the Convention. If
they come to different conclusion, and deter.
mine to present my name, let it be distinctly
understood as my earnest wish, that it may be
at once Withdrawn whenever it shall become
manifest that the nomination of some other cit
izen will better unite the friends of Freedom,
and more certainly secure the establishment of
our principles.
shall trust to your friendship for making
these views known to our friends, especially in
the Ohio delegation, and, should the occasion
arise for it, to the Convention. I shall cheer.
fully abide any action which, upon consultation
with our friends, you may think fit to take.
Faithfully, yours, S.P. CHASE.
Mr.. Mitchell said that the friends of Mr.. Chase
had authorized him to withdraw his name from
this Convention. Loud cheers.
Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennylvania, then took
the stand: He said that he saw perfectly we'll
what was the current of this Convention. and
he did not rise to resist it. He hoped that thew
would take care that it did not roll so fast AZ to
sweep away friends as well as foes. After what
has taken place, he would be sorry to see
Judge McLean's name put forward to be voted
for by few. Pennsylvania had looked to
no other man. In view of these facts he
would like to have an opportunity for the Penn.
sylvania delegation to consult.
Mr.. Grinnell, of New York, moved an ad;ourn.
ment to o'clock, which was carried.
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
PHILADELPHIA, June 10, 1856.
The Convention met at ten o'clock. There
was not quite so much excitement as on the
preceding day, and the benches were rather
thin until some time after the hour of meeting.
The attendance Of outsiders was as great as
ever.