Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-23
Gen. PeAuinxtoa Declinoe.


Gen, A, NJ Pennington, the prspsnt 1sprs-
sentative Of the Fifth diatrics Of New srssy, hay-
ing been nominated for Congress by tAs Republ-
cans, has declined the nomination in long letter
on political affairs, the concluding portion Of which,
as 1t relates to the Presidency, We present to our
readers, as follows '-''s' ase
Itis probably known to you that Hnptr buted
In NO degree 70 the nomiaetion of the 13eDdblicsn
candidate. 1t became apparent at IA early day,
that owing to the prscipitspcy and peeebr circum-
Stances attending the noaiinaton q ~ American
candidate, he would fail to conmSad ~ conside
rable suppostin the freq States aad N1e was mo-
time Shen be ceqld 4rcdsoDab6 hsyq 1p Axpect
s6to make any serious diversion ~ The Demo
cratic party, then dominoDt - mo4 " Ahs slAyS
Statess 10 WAS even uncertain for a long time fi
consequence of his absence in Europe, whether he
could be induced 70 accept the nonination.i I'm
per these circumstances, and looking to the defeat
Of the Democratic party as q primary object,
earnestly pressed the nomination of an old and dis
tingushed statesman, Of long experience and ele-
waited character, national and conservative in his
opinions, selfreliant and above suspicion or re-
proach in the hope that the strength necessary to
success might be concentrated on him. Over
ruled in this effort, am left to choose between
the competitors now before the people. Lowe it
to myself in this connexion 10 sew. that from
dents, and but for the peculiar condition and char
acter of the issues in the pending contest should
have given my hearty support to the American
candidate. asi8 f39lf5llA. k3a~ a8f t.iga
It is within the range of possibility, that it may
fail to me, IN my representative capacity, to exert
= more potent influence in the choice of the Chief
Magistrate than am permitted to do as private
citizen, and in that event, seeking to reflect what
l shall believe to be the predominant public senti9
ment OF this State, shall cheerfaly cast my vote
for that candidate of the opposition who shall ap
pear most available to defeat the candidate Of the
Democratic party. desire il 10 be further under.
stood in this connexion, that in taking the course
marked cut for myself, contemplate no aggres
sion upon the constitutional rights Of the South.
While would resist all aggressions by the South
upon the North, would ~ easneetly protect
against all aggressi0ns by the North upon th.
South. indulge no sectional hostility I reccc.
mise the full ~ ~ slave States
to regulate, to aboliAA, o. if they viN 10 pcrpetu
ate the Institution Of slavery withcut interference
on the part Of othsr St.tss, or Of individuals be-
yond their own limits recognise their constitu
tional right to claim their fugitive slaves, and
make no objection to the basis Of representation
established by the constitution. cherish all the
compromises of that instrument as sacred pledges
OF Union ,endeared by the memory of its found.
ers, vital to the interests Of the millions now reap
ing the glorious fruits OF their suferings and sac.
rihces and destined trust, to be transmitted un-
impaired and inviolate through many generations
No one can regret the agitation Of this disturb
ing element in our system more sincerely than
DO. With those who agitate it for the sake of agi
rtaton have no sympathy, nor have word Of
appreciation for those whether at the North or
South, who contribute by usnrpation and violence
to engender sectional animosities unfrendly to the
peace and harmony Of the country. plant my
self in opposition to the extension of elayery into
L IN Il IL.
well settled practice of the government, and the
decisions OF the Supreme Court of the United
States that Congress has the power to egisate for
the Territories and in the exercise Of that power,
to prohibit the introduction of slavery therein. /
Holding this opinion, stand nHexibly opposed to
that policy which seeks to widen the area Of an in
stitution which all rightminded men concede to be
at once social moral and political evil. These /
believe to be the sentiments of the candidate of
the Republican party. He stands pledged in the
event of his election to the Presidency to enter
upon the execution of it's duties with single
hearted determination to promote the good of the
whole country and to direct solely to this end all
the power OF the government, irrespective Of party
issues and regardless Of sectional strfesn Iyield
him my unreserved respect and confidence as
an able true-hearted patriotic American, con.
seryative in his instincts, independent and selfre-
liant, just in his purposes and firm in his determi-
nation to pursue them. , M M
/ have been thus explicit in the expression of
my views in regard to the principles involved in the
Presidential election and my reasons for the course
Of action on hch have decided, for the purpose
OF correcting any possible misconcepton of my
true position in any quarter. m .Igs tH 4l9p A n
And now allow me to say, that feel constrained
by personal considerations to decline the nomil,a
ton. If could persuade myself that ought to
subordinate my private interests and inclinatiors
to the call OF the Convention, should cheerfully
yield myself to the chances Of the contest, and
abide the result. The violent antagonism now ex-
isting throughout the district between the two
branches of the opposition, precudes any reasona-
BILE expectation that should be able, under the
circumstances Of my nomination and with my de-
cided position in regard to the respective candi-
dates, to command success. The strength of the
Democratic party in this district is scarcely inferior
to that of the two branches of the opposition COM
bined, and the triumph Of the Democratic candi-
date over both is inevitable, unless harmony can
be restored between them. have done nothing |
to widen the breach, and shall do nothing to OBJ
struct the way to harmony and cooperation. +
have constantly inculcated union, and should be
Inconsistent with myself if were to remain an OBJ
stacle to an honorable adjustment upon terms
equally honorable to ALL
To the many personal friends-of all political
parties--who have pledged me their support, In
the event ofmy acceptance, and the whole body
ofmy constituents, for the repeated evidences OF
their regard offer the sincere homage of CRATE
full heart.
Renewing to you, to the members Of the Con-
vention, and to their several constituencies, the
expression of my thanks,
am, my dear sirs,
Your obedient servant,
y A. @. M. PENNINGTON.
Colonel Fremont and his Habits.