The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-05-17
"A Patriotic Letter from Senator
Slidell.
WASHINGTON. April 10, 1861

WASHINGTON. April 10, 1860.
lear ST Il have already stated to you an,
othcr friends from Louisiana. now here on thci
way to Charleston, my wish that my name
should not lie presented ut any time to the De
mocratic National Convention for the Presi,lrn
tial nomination. l have given you very fully
in conversation, my reasons for this course, anf
II is, therefore, unnecessary for me to rcpea
mem. But you have suggested that. perhaps
other members Of our delegation might, in til,
absence Of any written declaration from mo
feel themselves bound, in compliance with IA,
expressed preference OF our State Convention
to cast their votes for me. l need not say tt
you how profoundly grateful am to the De
moocracy OF Louisiana for this last and highest
evidence OF their confidence and attachment
II VIII he for me aud my children the proudcst
resurrection or our lives. To you and many
other personal and political friends have mi
iormly said that had no aspirations for the
Presidency, and that my sole ambition ever
has been to serve our noble State in the M.
tlonal Senate with all devotion and f,ithlulncss,
and with such poor ability MS could exert in
the discharge of that high duty.
Louisiana has declared that she is well salts
iied Win the manner in which have fulfilled
the trust twice coniided to me. This is reward
and honor enough tor me. But if had ever
lhauised IN dreams OF possible elevation to a
VINO pest Know me will all concur in saving |
have not fallen fnlo,) the circumstances under
winch the National Democratic Convention will
assemble would forbid the idea of permitting
my name to be used. The South should pre
sent an unbrokcn front on the question of no
mlnatlon. Our Democratic brethren of the
Northern States have uniformly said that if we
would Otlcr them II candidate with a certain de-
gree OF nnanimity they would accept him ut
our hahds. l have never distrustcd their sin
cerlty, and now firmly believe that it will be
our own fault if this pledge is not redeemed by
them. l think it is for their interest as well rs
ours that distinct, unmisakable issue be sub
m'ttcd to the countryside election eff a stern
supporter OF our constitutional
rights or OF Black Republican. | use this
term III no offensive sense, but as the most CON
vehlent to designate the party of which W. H.
seward, OF New York. is the type and embodi-
Ment. There is no Southern man whose name
VIII probably be before the Convention whom
!. would not cordially support if nominated.
Should, after frank and full interchange of
views between delegates from every section Of
Ihe contederacy, it be deemed cxpedient to Sc
cct our candidate from n non-slayehollinp
STATE, there are many Democrats whose fidelity
20 the constitutional rights of the South, ma
lrlotlsnl, craftsmanship and ability could have
implicit confidence in. Dickinson and Sew
nour, OF New York; Lane, of Oregon: and Ton-
'ey' OF Connecticut, have been more frequently |
mentioned as among the probable candidates to
DC presented to the convention. Either of them
vi! deserve, and hope that some one of them
VII receive, the votes of slaveholding States,
hould their delegations fail to unite on one of
heir own citizens. do not look upon the no.
ninatlon of Judge Douglas as a probable or
ven possible event, as it can only be made in
opposition to the almost unanimous sentiment
the south. Yours faithfully.
JOHN SLlDELL,
Hon. AUGUSTUS TALBOT.