Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-06-22
Letler from. Mr.. Rnnks.


My dear Sir II have been notified by q
committee appointed by the American Con-
| vention, held at Boston, yesterday, ever
which you presided, that the Convention had
| conferred upon me a nomination as its candi-
date for the Office of Governor of this
| Commonwealth. 1 felt it to be due to the
| Convention as to myself that prompt and
specific answer should be made to the com.
munication, and informed the gentlemen of
the committee that l would today address a
letter to the officers of the Convention, stat
ing the grounds upon which l would accept
the nomination.
The official positions which l have recently
held in the service of the people OF this State,
have made it proper for me to declare in
| public manner my views of important political
| questions. Opinions thus declared by me,
as a candidate for office, in public conven-
lions, and as a Representative in Congress,
| and which, in some instances, had separated
me from friends with whom l had been asso-
ciated, have been strengthened by larger
experience, and are unchanged today, ex-
cept so far as opinions of public policy have
ripened into convictions of public duty.
have opposed with earnestness the policy
of the slavery propagandists, and have en-
deavored, as far as laid my power, to defeat
their perncious measures, which were cal
culated, in my judgment, to substitute for the
liberation of negro bondage in the States
where it now exists, its universal and absolute
dominion, thus obstructing the success of
every industrial interest, and bending the
government itself to a course of measures
which could not fail to cripple the prosperity
and impair the dignity of tree labor
L have as earnestly opposed that policy
adopted by the mass of foreign voters, or by
those who for sinister purposes seek to direct
their political power, with view to the
control of our elections, or to direct in i'm
| portant matters the policy of the government
itself. Upon this subject my record is open
and my convictions unchanged and 1 am
ready now, as heretofore, to concur with the
! people of Massachusetts,, in every just meas
ure that shall tend TO diminish this unnatural
influence, and to restore to the American
| people the full share Of power and direction
which was designed for them by the trainers
of this government.
For several years my attention has been
Withdrawn from the political affairs Of the
State. 1t is to me, however, apparent, Gas it
| must be to every one) that without criticism
upon past administrations, important changes
may now be advantageously made. The on
nual sessions of the Legislature may be
greatly shortened without detriment to any
public interest. Vigorous retrenchment in
expenditure of public money is Indispensable
to the maintenance Of the credit of the State,
and reforms OF great public moment may be
safely introduced in recognizing the govern.
ment, under the recent important changes
in its organic law. Such 1 understand are,
in substance, the views of the Convention
which you represent; and concurring heartily
with you therein, l accept the omination
which you have rendered me.
Political nominations, however, thus early
presented, will afford to the people ample time
for mature deliberation. My chief and only
desire, in regard to the political action of the
present year, is, that those men who are with
out material differences in sentiment, who
are governed by the same patriotic desires,
who represent similar interests, and who
cherish the same high hopes of the future
destiny of our country, may disregard i'm
material lines of division, and create, by their
united action, power invincible at home
and respected abroad, which shall lift our
political contests above the level of faction
| fights; give to our State an administration of
| stability and wisdom; enable its people to
impress upon the Union of States, and upon
the age itself an intelligent opinion, and an
appreciable and proportionate influence in
the direction of great moral and material
interests, and thus win back to the young
men of Massachusetts something of the an
cient renown Of the Commonwealth. 1t is A
crime against justice and against liberty, that
men, essentially of like sentiments, and in
terests, and condition, should waste power
bequeathed to them for nobler purposes. in
futile contests with each othef where de-
feat only embitters unfounded animosities.
and success leads to no good or great influence
upon the present or future conditions of men.
l counsel union of action upon a more liberal
and manly basis, for higher purposes. have
made this my RULE of conduct under circum-
stances, when, as you, gentlemen, well know,
other motives would have led me to different
action. have earnestly urged this counsel
| upon reluctant associates in the house OF NV
| political friends, who thought they saw coveted
honors within their grasp, and | cannot now
mark out for myself another course of private
or public duty. No act of mine will lhwart
the success of an effort for such results, and
no sacrifice Of personal interests can be re-
CURED OF me in its support which shall not be
instantly accorded. And ifin the coming cna-
vass, it shall at any moment appear that my
name fails to draw together those who, sep.
arated by no great principle should be unit.
ed, it shall promptly be withdrawn from the
record, and l will cheerfully fall into the
ranks of the supporters of any man, who,
more happily constituted, can rally to another
| triumph the column of men that sustained
the gallant Fremont in the great canvass
last year, there to perform less conspicuous,
but nobler duty.
l cannot forbear to present to the Conven-
ton my acknoM Judgements for its distin-
| guished courtesy. The nomination il has
conferred upon me has been made without NV
solicitation or consultation with me: and
coming as 1t does from gentlemen upon whom
could have no claim beyond that of other
citizens, cannot but regard it as one of the
most gratifying compliments have ever 70.
ceiyed, appreciate their generous con.
fdence, and shall ever remain in acknowledq-
ment of my obligations.
Yours and their friend and obedient servant.
N. p. BANKS.