Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-06-14

own that / am desirous still TO enjoy the
privilege Of cooperating in this noble work,
which, however, it will be impossible for
me 10 do to any advantage, whatever may
be the result of The present canvass, if am
now drawn into the vortex of strenuously
contested election. There are many parts
of the country which have not yet visited.
l had promised myself rich harvest from
the patriotic liberality of the States on the
Gull of Mexico, and of those on the Mis-
sissippi river, (Which 1 have not yet been
able to visit, with The exception of Missou-
ri, though often kindly invited, and | con-
Tess that it is very painful 10 me TO with
draw from that broad field OF congenial la
Dor to tread the thorny and thankless paths
rfpolitics.
Apart from the pecuniary aspects Of the
case, which. however, are of considerable
importance, will candidly say, Ina! in hol-
ding up TO the admiring veneratlon of the
American people the peerless name of
Washington, (almost the only bond Of fra
ternal sentiment which the bitterness Of our
sectional controversies has left us), feel
as if | was dong more good, as far as am
able TO do any good, and contributing more
to revive the kindly feeling which one ex-
listed between the North and South,
and which is now, l grieve to say
nearly extinct, than could possibly do by
engaging in the wretched scramble for office
which is one great source of the dangers
that threaten the country.
These. considerations, and others of still
more personal nature, have necessarily oc-
casiOned me 10 rehecr long and anxiously
before accepting the nomination with which
the Union Convention has honered me. In
yielding a, length 10 the earnest solicita-
,iens which have been addressed to me,
from the most respectable sources in almost
every part of the Union, make painful
sacrifice of inclination TO what am lead TO
believe public duty. 1t has been urged
upon me, and cannot deny that such is my
own feeling that we have fallen upon times
which call upon all gord citizens, at what
ever. cost OF personal convenience, TO con-
tribute their share, however humble, 10 the
public service.
suppose il 10 be the almost universal
impression-it is certainly mine-that the
existing state Of sfdirs is. extremely criti.
cal. Our political controversies have sub
stantially assumed almost sectional charac-
ter-that of fearful struggle between the
North and the South. 1t would not be dif-
ficuIt to show at length the perilOus nature
and tendency Of this struggle, but can on
ly say, on this occasion, that, in my opinion
it cannot be much longer kept up without
rending The Union. do not mean that Ell
ther of the great parties in the country de-
sires or aims at separation Of the States
as a final object, although there are extre
msts in considerable numbers who have
that object in view. While potent and
a baneiul influence is exercised by men of
this class in both sections of the Union, a
portion Of the conservative masses are in
sensibly and gradually gOaded into concur
renee with opinions and sentiments with
which, in the outset, they had no sympathy.
Meantime, almost wholly neglectlng the
main public interests, or political contro-
versies turn more and more on questions in
reference to which as abstract formula. the
great sections Of the country differ irrecon-
cilably, though there is nothing practically
important at stake which requires the dis
cussiOn 10 be kept up.
These controversies are carried on with
steadily increasing bitterness and exaspera-
tiOn. The passions thus kindled have al
ready led 10 acts Of violence and bloodshed,
approaching TO civil war in the Territories
and attempted servlle insurrection in the
States. The great religious and philan-
thropic associations Of the country are sun
dered, and the kindly social relations of
North and South seriously impaired. The
national House Of representatives. hover
ing on the verge o; anarchy, requires weeks
TO effect the organization, which ought 10
be the work Of an hour, and it holds lis
sessions (many Of its members, | am told,
armed with concealed weapons, On the
crust OF volcano. TIE candidates for the
Presidency, representing respectively the
dominant sectional ideas, will, at the ensu-
ing election, in all probability, be supported
by a purely geographical vote. In other
words. we are already brought to pass al
which North and South cannot and will not
cooperate in the periodical reorganization
of the Government. =.
Can such state of things long continue,
with the ever present risk of new