Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-08

The following is Gov Houston's letter Withdrew
ing bis from the list Of candidates for the Pres


The following IS Gov. Houston's letter withdrew
ing bis name from the list ofcandidates for the Pres
idency;
To my friends IN Tie United Stdles::
4 withdraw my. name 4rom the list candidates for
the Presidency. consented to its use because Of
the cali from the spontaneous voices Of respectable
numbers of the people themselves not because de-
sired the Office. But the time las arrived when
it behooyes every patriot TO act for himself and to
do all in his power to save his country from dam
gerous war Of sectonalism, and reckless spirit Of
disunion, North and South. The responsibility now
devolves upon the candidates Themselves whether
called into the field By the unframeled win of the
people, or by the several Conventions which have,
unfortunately destroyed all harmony, and threaten
ed the stability Of the Union itself cannot hest.
tate in my belief that it is the duty of the candidates
to sacrifice their hopes Upon the altar OF the COM
mon country. 1t may be said that yield least as
my chances of success are not 50 apparent; but
with four opponents of the nominee of the Republi-
can Convention the field tae defeat Of all is equal
y certain In such scramble the pleasure or NOR
LITIGATION Of getting popular fewer electoral
votes would only be comparative and neither candi-
date would stand in relief before the country from
charge of having recklessly tempered with the lber
ties of the best government in the world. F77
Let not those who rely upon carrying the election
into the House of Representatives deceive themsel-
ves- The people have been taught to dread such
consummatioi.. Neither four, three, nor two oppo-
nents to the Republican candidate can carry it
there; and if they could, strife, which is being
gendered among the different factions would render
the result very uncertain. There must be an aban-
donment of specious dogmas, clap-trap platforms,
and electioneering cant, and concentration upon
principle, for common purpose, or else the faction
faction which, united, would constitute majority.
must make up their minds to the elevation of sec
uho ola t0
upon opposition to the Institution whose existence
should never have been brought into the national
politics. A timely union Of all the National Union
men to defeat this sectionalism would put an end to
discord and clamorous tendency toward disunion.
call upon my countrymen to forget me and 10
forget the claims and Endorsements OF all mere men,
as well as the hopes Of the mere ofticeseekers who
expect to profit by the elevation of one man or
another. They should remember the farewell adj
dress of the Father Of his Country; the immortal
sentiment of the Hero of New Orleans, and Sage of
the Hermitage: The Federal Union, It must be
preserred' Could the spirits Of jackson, Clay and
Webster be recalled TO take parts in the active trans
actions Of the political arena, tho Union would be
preserved Laborng through life to perpetuate its
glory, they knew its value and appreciated its bless
ings. sac, -.
am aware that it would be as pleasing to my
friends of different preferences to the remaining
candidates to have me express choice for one or
tue otneI Vi mein. Duti uust 'has y nin oe see.
from this and my previous letters that my senti-
ments rise above mere personal preference.
desire to see union Of nationalminded men to
defeat dangerous sectionalis and leave my friends
to pursue whatever course may appear to them best
at such crisis.
cannot conclude without returning my sincere
thanks those who have in various ways expressed
desire to occupy the distinguished position
of President but to remain longer in the field could
could be productive of no good, and il might be n
stumbling block in the way Of those who desire har-
mony.
91tfl4 Very respectfully, - 2.