Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-03-22
Don't Want Ofice-Pesition Defined.

We find the following letter in the last
Llnnsus Bulletin. II was written in reply
10 public call, soliciting the writer 10 be-
come the democratic candidate for The Leg.
islature:-
In t5e first place, am not a Democrat,
in the party scnse of that term; having
from my first vote up TO 1856, acted and
voted with The Wing party, and in cpposi-
tion 10 Democratic men and measures. Ii
is true, however, that ] voted the Demo
cratic in 1856 and in 1858. Bat did this,
because The party with which had former
| ~ acted, was dISorgsni8ed and having no
candidate in the field, and between Demo
erals and Black Republicans preferred
The election of the former.
And secondly, because my views as to
the best policy for the Legislature 10 pur-
sue in regard to some of the unfinished
Railroads in our State, differ very material
ly from those entertained by gentlemen in
this county, and whose opinions heretofore
and now have great weight with the Democ.
raey.
For the Legislature now 10 refuse all fur
Their State aid TO the Great trunk Roads,
and especially the Pacific Railroad, incud-
ing the Southwest Branch, now nearly
completed. and upon which so much CAPT
tai has been expended. both by the State
and private citizens, would, in MY jndg-
ment, be unststssmanlike, unwise and ru-
inous to the best interests OF the State.
And third reason why the Democracy
should not nominate me Is, because such an
act, in my judgment, would do great irjus-
tice TO mann true and long tried Democrats,
who have al! ;heir lives been working for
the principles and success Of the party.
will now briefly state some Of the rca-
sons why, in my judgment, | should de-
cline nomination if rendered TO me. First,
because l now have no desire 10 engage in
a political cunIest, nor undertake to dis
charge the duties OF political Office, all my
former political aspirations having been bu-
ried with the Wing party. Having acted
with the Democratic party, as above stated,
only from sense Of my duty as a citizen;
to exercise the elective franchise lii the Sc
lection Of men for office ,who are most like
ly to sub.erye The best interests OF my
country; and not with any hope or desire
that the party should ever honor me with
the bestowal Of any Office upon me. And
!. second reason is, because it is evident
from the signs of the times, as indicated by
The press and the speeches of our public
men, the approaching canvass is 10 be a
stormy ole, in which The long hackneyed
and now stale questions of the power OF
Congress and The Territorial Legislatures
to leglslate upon the institution OF slavery.
is 10 be the chief topic in every slump
speech that shall be delivered by candidates,
from Congressman down 10 Con.tables; and
the balance OF the speech Will consist OF the
usual lamentation over the inevitable disSo-
luton and destruction of our glorious I'm
ion, if one or The other Of the contandlng
parties shall, or shall not succeed, and each
ons swearing that he and his party alone
are ahls 10 save it.
In conclusion desire 10 say TO NY Dem
ooratic FELLOW citizens of Linn oounty, that
whether shall coniinue 10 vote and act
with them, depends entirely upon their fu-
iure political action. Dnl in lie approach
ing August election, will no; vote for any
man for Representative, unless lie will pub
licly promise 10 exert himself 10 procure
the repeal of the law now in force, author
iElng The licensing and keeping Dam
Shops in this State.
Yours, respectfully,
JACOB SMITH.