Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-12
ICOMMUS ICAIED.
Tho Conversational Canvass.

Whilst Governor Smith is refusing to e1h'-
bit or publish the letter he wrote 70 Walker
in January, 1855, and is denying what Is
charged rs his then KnowNothng POSITION
vou will confer favor upon the people Of
this District, by publishing the following cor
re.pondcnce between the Governor and
Know Nothing Committee of Invitation in
Fredericksburg, in June, 1870. 1t seems
tba, the American party had recently made
-. platform in Philadelphia, BY convention
Of delegates from all the States, and the par
* in and about Fredericksburg, desired to
hold grand ratification meeting and cele-
hra,ion ON the 4th of July. They there
upon looked around for their friends and sup
n1rtcrs. and sent letters of invitation TO
those thew considered most deserving.
The following printed circular letter was
addressed 10 Governor Smith. which speaks
for itself.
FRIDERICKSBrRC. June 20, 1855.
9Th. American party Of Fredericksburg, anu
the adjoining country. intend To- celebrate the ap-
proaching Fourth of July. at Fredericksburg, hy
a Procession. Barbecue. and Public Addresses.
There will be large assemblage of the people,
and an opportunity will he thus afforded, Tor an
enthusiastic and imposing ratification in Virginia,
az the Philadelphia Platform. At the same time,
much good may lie done by full presentation of
the great national principles which distinguish the
American Party. Those We represent will be graf
fled IL have YOU present upon the occasion, and
We hop. that YOU will find it practicable to attend.
Please honor with your reply at your early con-
yeniencc Very respectfully,
r. l.. Barton, of Fredericksburg: j. l.. Marye,
Ip.h. IF d.. Inn
Jr., Of do: T.. T. Tayoc. of King George County;
Gray Boulwarc of Caroline County; l.. A. BoggS,
Of Spotsyly anna County; and VIM. j. Green, OF
Stafford County Committee.
Many other distinguished Know Nothings
who were invited, attended under this call,
and the celebration went off in grand style.
But the Governor did not attend. lie was
engaged on that day for something else, 30
he yutifed the inritnti"n, pinJorm, and par
W, by the following letter in reply.
ITO T. L. Barton, Marye, aud others, Committee
Of Invitation, &c.
"GYNrLEMES Il have the honor to acknOw
ledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th inst,
inviting me to unite with the American Party IN
their ratification of the Philadelphia Platform on
the Fourth Of July next, III the town Of Fre'lcr-
icksburg.
|, will not be in my power to accept your polite
invitation. If from home on that day, lexpcct to
be in the city Of Williamsburg.
Itmay not, however. be amiss for me to say here,
that as from manhood to the opening Of my late
Congressional canvass. | have never advocated
political principle, or taken political position,
that had not my conscientious approval, 50 In adj
herence Ia the same plan of life, amid all the ex-
element and temptation of the late canvass, L
never unwor,hily sought success. but frankly avow
ing nv sentiments and avOwing none not honestly
entertained and i'll view of my duties 10 my coun-
try seeking union among ourselves. by pursuing
course of cancellation and harmony, that we might
he the better able to resist the wrong and injury of
Northern fanaticsm, unshrinkingly trusted my
self to the moral sentiments of my race, upon
which free government must rest to fdst
The result so gratifying to me, showed that my
confidence not misplaced; and 1t now remains
tor me to show by my conduct in all respects that
| merit the confidence in which the people of my
District have so generously robed me. With great
consideration, am. gentlemen, very truly yours,
WILLIAM SMITH"
just to think Of it, He ''unshrinkingly
trusted himself to the moral sentiments OF
his race" That is, he fought with and bat
tied for. the Know Nothings, and they fought
under and voted for him-and on the said
Fourth of July he was invited to ratlfy the
Philadelphia Platform Of u common party,
and he does ratify it, hy every implication
among honest and fair dealing men.
For YOU will observe" he does not repu-
diate the invitation AS being misdtrected-
nor does he disclaim participation in the OBJ
jects of the meeting. He does not say
am not Know Nothing nor sympathizer,
nor Il RATHER of their doctrines:-so far from
it, he accepts the position rendered him rs
one of the leaders of the party. He Is invi-
ted to rah;ty and speak, and he rati6es and
writes letter He is written to as 4 Know
Nothing. The lcuer informs him of their
doctrines and dcsigns--the Philadelphia
Platform and its ratification. He answers
to the call, and in his own peculiar style, IN
effect, accepts the position, endorses the doc
trines. and compliments the design.
What the latte, part of this letter is, is
transparent. But the Governor has put
too fine point upon the moral sentiments
Of his race 1t is too fine to avail him. But
let the people judge for themselves of this
nem erideace in relation 10 their representa-
-