Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-12
MR.. EVERETT ACCEPTS.
MR.. HUNT TO HON. EDWARD EVERETT.
P.rrv~xoDu 11kb Nav 1870

MR.. EVERETT ACCEPTS.
MIR. HUNT TO HON. EDWARD EVERETT.
BALTIMORE, 18th May, 1850.
DEAR SIR: 1t has become my agreeable duty
as the presiding officer of the National Unior
Convention, which terminated its session ir
this city last evening, to inform you that you
have received the nomination of that body as its
candidate for the Office of Vice President of the
United States.
1t would be far beyond my power to convey
to you an adequate impression of the intense
ardor and enthusiasm with which the LomiDa-
ticn was made. Without the formality of 8
ballot, your name was on every lip, and was
adopted with loud acclamations coming from
grateful and patriotic hearts.
State after State yied with each other for the
privilege of rendering to you its tribute of af-
fectionate homage and admiration.
The high estimate of your valuable public
services entertained BY the whole country, and
the universal gratitude excited by your voluntary
efforts as private citizen, to Undue the minds
of your countrymen with feelings of love and
veneration tor the character Of Washington, and
respect for his character and teachings, were
reflected by the Convention in manner at once
impressive, appropriate and gratifying
1t was believed, moreover, that the association
of your name with that of John Bell, as candi-
dates for the highest Office in the gift of the ma
ton would of itself constitute an irresistible ap-
peal to the patriotism, loyalty and national
spirit of the whole American people.
In this season of discord and distraction, we
feel it to be paramount duty to make an earn
est effort to revive sentiments of harmony and
brotherhood between the different States and
sections of our Union. ssee
We were not ignorant of your cherished pur-
pose to decline in future the cares and hOnOrs
of official station; yet we do not permit our
selves to doubt that the same sentiment OF pat
riotism which your voice and example have in
spired in the hearts of others, will prompt you
to yield to the call now made upon you, by a
large and respectable portion of your countrymen
have the honor to be,
With high respect,
7e lEHt Your obedent servant,
Signed1 WASHINGTON HUNT.
To the Honorable EDWARD EVERETT.
Mr.. EVERETT TO HON. WASHINGTON HUNT.
BosToN, May %, 1860.
My Dear SIR Il have duly received your
letter of the 11th, in which you inform me
officially, that the National Union Convention,
recently in session at Baltimore, had done me
the honor to nominate me as its candidate for
the Office of Vice President of the United States.
am deeply impressed with this manifesto
ton of the favorable opinion of the Convention,
comprising as it did among its members so many
persons distinguished for public service, patriot
ism and intelligence; and fairly representing a
considerable portion of the conservative feeling
of the country. For the great cordialty with
which, as you inform me, my name was pro
posed and received, my warInest thanks are due.
.frl of q mo
ton would, under ordinary circumstances, be a
matter of course; but it has unayoidably been
with me the subject oflong and anxious hesita-
ton. The grounds of this hesitation | owe it
Go the Convention, which has hOnored me with
this mark of its confidence, and to myself, to
explain; loath as am to dwell on matters on
personal interest of no Importance to the pub
lie. b
1t is generally known that / have, for some
years past, retired from active participation IL
political life, not, as hope have shown, from
Incidence or want of sympathy with my fellow
citzens in the pursuit of the great objects Q
social life. The reasons of my retirement have
been more than once publicly stated, and bef
to repeat them here from my speech at the
Union meeting in Faneul Hall, last December
81 did not suppose that anything could occur
which would make me think it my duty to ap
pear again on this platform, on any occasion O
a political character; and had this meeting beer
| of party nature or designed to promote any
party purposes, should not have been here
When compelled by the prostratiOn OF my health
five years ago, to resign the distinguished place
which then filed in the public service, it wa:
with 20 expectation, no wish, and no intention
of ever again mingling in the scenes Of public
lite. have, accordingly, with the partial res
toration of my health, abstained from all partici
patton in political action of any kind partly be-
cause have found more congenial, and, as
venture to think, more useful occupation II
seeking to rally the affections OF my country
men, North and South, to that great name ant
precious memory which are lett almost alone o
all the numerous kindly associations, which once
bound the different sections of the country to
gether; and also because, between the extreme
of opinion that have long distracted and nov
threaten to convulse the country, l find NJ
middle ground of practical usefulness, on which
friend of moderate counses can stand"
1t having been suggested to me, nOtwit1stand
ing these avowals, that might be thought o
at the Union Convention, as candidate for tn
Presidency, requested by telegraghc messag
and by letter, that my name, if brought forward
might be withdrawn. 1t is true that ln thes
communications had only in view nomina
tion to the Presidency, none other having beer
suggested tome but all the reasons above ID
dicated, which led me in advance TO declin
such nomination, apply with equal force Il
the Vice Presidency. These reasons, OF course
still exist in unimpaired force, and cannot nov
take an active part 10 politics without abandon
ing a deliberately formed purpose, and even ex
posing myself to the suspicion Of insincerIty II
its persistent avowal.
Without dwelling upon these considerations
of which, however, am sure tie weight will b
admitted, beg leave to advert for a moment t
my connection with the movement for the pur
chase of Mount Vernon, to which your lette
alludes in such obliging terms. The favor whic
has attended my exertions in that cause, Git
may without indelicacy say anything on tha
subject, has been mainly the result of my know
and recognized disconnection from party poll
tics Ii it could have been even plausibly In
sinuated that was, or intended to become
candidate for high political honors, | should, il
my various excursions In aid of that fund, hav
laid myself open 10 the imputatiOn OF speakin:
one word for Mount Vernon and two for my
self. AS it is, the people throughout the UnioI
have generously given me credit for having
slugle eye to that merltoriOus object. As IA
as the purchase of Mount Vernon is concerned
that object has been effected, under the judi
tcious aud efficient management OF the Regen
and Wee Regents of the Association, with tn
aid of their intelligent and active assistant
throughout the Union. But a sum of money Q
nnal to that a roady raiaad ia still wanting TO