Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-09-17
Cl.ARKsBUnG, FRIDAY, SEPT. ~, fssss
A Spicy Incident in,the GubelnatorIal
Loo Canvass.

rent kindness WDlcu mas Deen ndHIIesbeu
towards him in the presentation OF his
mans as a candidate for Governor, yet.
holding, as he does, Judicial position,
entirely congenial to his tastes and incli-
nations, he begs, respectfully, to decline.
in any way, Hhe use Of his name in the
coming canvass.
AS one of his friends, familiar with his
popularity, have had the curiosity to
ascertain what his position would be /;
and will thank you to publish this note.
in extenSo. in the columns OF your paper.
am alone privy to, and responsible
Tor, the terms of this note.
l have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours.
SHERRARD CLEMENS.
The Judge, 1uc reIishing this abrupt
destruction of his Gubernatorial pros
pec!s, sends the following card TO the ed
itors of the Richmond Enquirer:
CLARK, BURG, Sept. Cd, 1858.
To The Editors Of the Enquirer:
Gentlemen The card OF the Hon,
Sherrard Clemens, in your issue of Tues
day last, requires prompt notice at my
hands. Mr.. Clemens does not say in his
card, that he was authorized by me TO
affirm that | would not except the nomi-
nation for the Office Of Governor Of Vir-
GINA. it rendered to me by the Demo.
cratic Convention. You dcduce that in
ference, in the brief editorial article pre-
fixed to his card, from the language cm>
ployed by Mr.. Clemens, and, IN my
opinion, the inference is just and natur
al one. You will allow me to say,
Messrs. Editors, that my friend Mr.. Glen
ems, labors under a grave mis- conception
OF my views. il he supposes he was au-
rhorized by me to make any statement
warranling the inference drawn by you.
did say to Mr.. Clemens that | did not
seek, or desire the Office Of Governor of
the State, being quite content to remain
in my present less conspicuous office.
which was more cUngenial with my tastes.
and the duties OF which accord better
with my habits of thought and course OF
study. than any eXeucLive office whatever.
This portion, beg leave, respectfully and
with perfect sincerity TO re affirm. But
have never said to him or others, that
| declined, in any way, the use Of my
name in the coming canvass" or that
would decline the tender OF the nOmlna>
ton if made by the Convention represent
ing the Democratic party OF the Safe
On the contrary, l have uniformly de-
clared TO all who have done me the hon-
or to solicit an expression Of my views,
that the high Office in question, was one
neither 10 be sought or declined, and that
If the nomination for H. was rendered TO
me by the Convention, it would be wholly
inconsistent with the views | entertain Of
my obligation as a citizen, to shrink from
the service CT the State that in such an
event. | would promptly accept the prot
ferred honor. and do all that in me lay,
to advance her true interests and preserve
unsuIlied her proud escutcheon.
My interview with Mr.. Clemens was
casual and brief. and had no conception
that he attached sufficient Importance to
ii, to make it the subject OF q commuters
ton to the press. Yet it was not cunf>
dental. and do not complain of the pub
licity he has seen I'll to give it, The sole
object of this card is to correct miscon-
ception into which he has fallen. and 10
define with more precision than he has
done. my true relation to the coming Cub
ernatOrial canvass in Virginia. In my
view. the position assigned me in the card
Mr.. Clemens, of "declining in any way, OF
the use OF my name in tho coming canvas"
would be arrogant and offensive, and at
whatever sacrifice of personal comfort or
pecuniary advantage, would deem it a
duty, little less than sacred. TO obey the
call of the Convention, to serve Virginia
as her chief Magistrate.
The Enquirer in publishing this card
pitches into Mr.. Clemens Like a thous>
and OF brick and that gentlemen address
ed the following note to Judge Brocken-
brough /:
WHEELING. Va, Sept. 7, 1853.
Dear SIR Your card, and editorial
structures OF the Richmond Enquirer, have
this moment been placed before me.
| submit to you whether, under all the
Giro instances attending our conversation,
and the publication of my letter to the
Enquirer. you believe that have been
engaged in an intrigue against you, or
that have acted a treacherous part to-
wards you?
In other words, whether l may not
have honestly inferred. from the whole
tenor Of our conversation, that "you de-
cIined in any way the use Of your name
in the coming canvass" although you
did not expressly say so?
l ask leave to publish your reply with
this.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours.
SHERRARD CLEMENS.
Hon. John ". peterborough.
The Judge replies as follows: