Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-09-30
LETTER FROM THE HON. A. II,
SELLERS.
OvrRroN, Sept. s, 1858.

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Editor Of The Maryland Republican:
DEAR Sir The Baltimore Patrtot
of 3lst August copies scurflous ar
ticle from the Frederick Hqdld" in
reference to me, and in language equally
abusive comments upon letter recently
addressed by nue. to Gen. Bowie.
1t is not my habit to notice newspaper
abuse, ofwhch, like ali other public mer,
| have had my share, but cannot per-
nit the charge that 81 deserted the
American party because they would not
give me Office, to pass without an answer.
declare before Heaven that | never
directly or indirectly soug7a an Office of
any kind from the AmerAsfl party.
At the Convention mentioned by the
Herald | was warmly soliited by many
members to suffer my name to be placed
upon the ticket either as candidate for
Comptroller or Lottery Commissioner,
and after repeated refusas by me i at
last consented that my namc might be
used in connection With he latter Office
The members Of thatConvention well
know that nothing was easier for me,
than to have obtained the nomination,
had been anxious fort Propositions
were repeatedly made > ne by which
| the nomination could hive been secured
beyond all doubt, but resisted every
overture at intrigue or arrangement, and
used every effort in my power TO secure
the nomination of Mr.. Ricaud as candi-
date for Governor, (tls object for which
| went to the Convention although by
doing so | knew shmld lose my own
nomination. The firth is, | did not
want the office, and s. said 10 all who
talked with me upoi the subject, and
therefore took no lains to secure the
nomination.
The idea then tllaiT deserted the Amer
lean Party because / was disappointed
in not getting an Office, neither wanted
nor sought, is SIMPLY ridiculous.
did not vote fo, Mr.. Hicks at the
succeeding election, but this was from
no disappointment or personal hostility
to him; but BECAUSE considered his
nomination the result of intrigue, and
that it did not reflect the sentiment of
the American party in the State.
| did vote fdr all others on the ticket
including the ramo of my opponent for
the nomination Of Lottery Commissioner.
As | have said in the letter addressed TO
Gen Bowie, considered the American
party defunct after the election OF 1896,
and was ready then to give =. ~ adte-
sruu 10 the democratic party, as The re-
suit Of that election plainly demonstrated
that the Northern wing of the party had
become abolitionized, and as proof OF he
sentiment, then entertained by me, |
often publicly declared that as M elector,
would cast my vote for Mr.. Buchanan
if the vote Of Maryland was necessary
to his election, rather than submit the
choice Of President to the House of Rep
reseatatives This was six months be-
fore the meeting Of the American Con
venton. But it was said by our friends.
that as tho battle in the State had been
fought and won by them, they had
right to the places held by our political
opponents, and to this end it was neces-
sary TO MAINTAIN the American organiza-
ton, at least until that object was accom-
plished. 70 tLisI yielded, never dream
ing that an attempt would be made to re-
susctate a national party, that could car
ry but one State in the Union. And in
this connection il is worthy Of remark.
that while | am charged with being a
descrter from the American party from
corrupt motives, the party itself has ceas
cd TO exist as the American Party, its
very name discarded and recognized.
re- baptized, it stands forth mot as the
Knog-notbing or American party) but
with the sonseless, unmeaning, compro-
missing name Of the "OPp0sition." |
trust they will allow me the same bap-
tismal rights that they exercise them
selves, and if they are permitted to as
sumo the name and style Of "Opposi-
ton" ! may assume the more respectable
and venerated one Of democrat"
! know well il is impossible for any
man to change his political sentiments
without having corrupt motives attributed
to him by those whose trade il is to abuse
all those who differ with them, but am
willing TO appeal to my whole life in ref
utation Of tho charge Of being an "oillcc
hunter,~ character 6espise as much as
/ do that Of hired and habitual slandercr.
In the course Of my political life, two
distinguished men with whom / agreed
in political sentiment and for whose cleo
ton laboured with as much zeal as any
men in the State, have been elevated to
the Presidency. According TO the po-
lilical or rather party maxims Of the day,
/ could fairly claim to DO rewarded as
others were rewarded by Official position.
yet from neither, did / ever directly or
indirectly ask tho smallest favor. Can
the Editor Of the "Heruid' say as much.
The few Offices | have held, with ono
small exception. have been voluntarily
conferred upon me by tho people, and
they have been Offices Of trust and honor,
and not Of profit. In con clusion, permit
nc 10 say that If the Editor Of the "Lier-
ai,r cannot comprehend how a man may
shape his political course, without refer
oncc 10 tho "spoils. but according to tho
convictions OF his judgment, and The dc
tatcs Of his conscience, trust there arc
others, Chose at least who know MOI
who will ascribe my change in politics
20 some other and more worthy motives,
than disappointment in not receiving an
Office did not want, and which ! only
agreed to accept to obligo others
Yours re.se