Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-05
RICHMOND WING.
LETTER FROM SAM HOUSTON WITHDRAWING
FROM THE CANVASS.
ro NY rRIENps N THE UNITEp srATEs.

To NY FRIENDS IN THE UNITED STATES
withdraw nv name from the list of candidates FOR the
Presidency consented 20 It's use because the call came
from the spontaneous voices OF respectable numbers o
the people themselves not because desired the Office
But the time has arrived when II behooyes every
patriot to act for himself aud to do all in his power to
save his country from dangerous war OF sectonasm
and reckless spirit Of dsunon North and South The
responsibility now devoves upon the candidates them
selves whether called into the field by the untrammeled
will of the people, by the several conventions which
have unfortunately destroyed all harmony and threaten
ed the stability Of the Union ITSELF cannot hesitate IN
my belief that l. the duty Of the candidates to sacrifice
their hopes upon the altar Of common country. Ii
may be said that yield least my chances OF success
are not so apparent But with four opponents OF the
nominee of the Republican Convention IN the heid the
defeat ofa is equally certain. In such scramble the
pleasure or modification OF getting popular or few
er electoral votes would ouy be comparative, and neiih-
er candidate would stand relieved before the country
from the charge of having reekleSv ampered with the
liberties Of the best government in the world
Let not those who rely upon carrying tue election into
the House Of Representatives deceive themselves The
people have been taught dread such consumma'ion
Neither four three two opponents to the Republican
candidate carry it herC aud il they could the strife
which is being engendered among the different factions
would render the result very uncertain. There must be
an abandonment Of Specous dogmas captrap platforms
aud electioneCring can't and concentration upon a
common principle for common purpose; or else the fac
tions which, united would constitute majority, must
make up their minds 10 the elevation OF sectional Pres
dent whose claim is based upon opposition to
the institution whose existence should never have been
brought into national poiiiics timely union of all
National Union to defeat this Scctionalism would
put en- end TO dscord and camorous tendency toward
dsunion.
cell upon my couhtrymen to forget me and to forget
the caims aud endorsements Of all men, rs well as
the hopes of the cCseekers who expect TO profit
by the elevation Of one man another. They should
remember the farewell address of the Father Of his
try and the immortal sentiment OF the hero OF New Or
leans and sage Of the Hermitage The Federal Union,
il must be pres ryed" Could the spirits Of jackson,
Cay and Webscr be recalled lake part in the active
transactions of the political arena the Union would be
preserved Laborng through life to pepctuae its glory,
they knew its value and appreciated It's blessing'
am that it would be pleasing TO my friends Of
din, rent preferences TO the remaining canddats TO
have NE express choice for the other Of them
But trust that it will be from this and my previous
letters that my sentiments rise above personal pre-
ference.
desire to see a union Of all national minded men to
defeat dangerous sectouasni, and leave my euds free
pursue whatever may appear to them best at
such a crisis
cannot conclude without returning sincere thanks
to those who have in various ways expressed desire to
occuly the distinguished position Of President
But remain longer the field would DE productive Of
no good and it might be stumbling blockin the way OF
those who desire harmony. Very respectfully,
SAM HOUSTON.