Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-09-12
Gov. Houst0n's Withdrawal.
The following is Gov. Houstons letter withdraw
ing his name from the list of candidates for the Pres
idency: "

ing his name from the list of candidates for the Pres
idency:
"AusTIN, Aug. 1s, 1860.
To my friends in the United States:
withdraw my name from the list candidates for
the Presidency. consented to its use because Of
the call from the spontaneous voices of respectable
numbers of the people themselves, not because de-
sired the office. But the time las now arrived when
it behooves every patriot to act for himself and to
do all in his power to save his country from dam
gerous war Of sectionalsm and reckless spirit of
disunion, North and South. The responsibility now
devolves upon the candidates themselves, whether
called into the field by the untrameled will cf the
people, or by the several Conventions, which have
unfortunately destroyed all harmony, and threaten
cd the stability of the Union ITSELF ! cannot hes
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 so apparent; but
with four opponents of the nominee of the Repubi-
can Convention in the field the defeat of all is equal
~ certain. In such scramble, the pleasure or NOR
titication Of getting more popular fewer electoral
votes would only be comparative, and neither cand-
date would stand in relief before the country from
charge Of having reckessly tampered with the liber
ties of the best government in the world.
Let not those who rely upon carrying the election
into the House of Representatives deceive themsel-
yes. The people have been taught to dread such
consummator,. Neither four, three, nor two oppo-
nents to the Republican candidate can carry it
there; and if they could strife which is being en-
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 a 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
4-o1 o0o 30 Yc hOcnd
upon opposition to the institution whose existence
should Eever 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
discorG and clamorous tendency toward dsunion.
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 ofiice-seekers who
expect to profit by the elevation Of one man or
another They should remember the farewell ad-
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, the Union would be
preserved. Laborng through life to perpetuate its
glory, they knew its value and appreciated its bless
ings.
I am aware that it would be as pleasing to my
friends of different preferences as to the remaining
candidates to have me express choice for one or
the other Of Them But trust that it will be seen
from this and my previous letters that my senti-
ments rise above mere personal preference.
desire to see union of natonal-nnded men to
defeat dangerous sectonasm and leave my friends
to pursue whatever course may appear to them best
at such crisis.
cannot conclude without returning my sincere
thanks to those who have in various ways expressed
desire to see me occupy the distinguished position
of President but to remain longer in the field could
could be productive of no good, and it might De a
stumbling block in the way Of those who desire har-
mony.
Very respectfully,