Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-10-13
ELI THAYRR RUNNING A MUCK.

The following is copy of Mr.. Thayer's letter
accepting the invitation Of some gentlemen in his
district to DO a candidate for reelection 20
Congress
'Gen' men: Your letter, accompanied by tho
request of some five hundred other Republicans,
that would allow them to place me before the
pcop!e ~ n candidate for the Office Of representa-
tive to Congress rorn this district at the ensuing
Congressional election, has just been received
The generous confidence and high regard therein
exhibited towards me are the more welcome for
being tho expression of ing neghbors, who are
well acquainted with my public and private life.
have no words adequate to the expression of my
grn'itude for this token Of your esteem-words
we're not fit for any such purpose. My life devo-
ted 20 the interests which yCu most love aud cher
ish shall be my response TO you.
Many Of you are aware that Immediately after
my return rom Congress- Expressed an intention
to ssbmit my cong essional action to the judgment
of the people OF my district with my reasons
therefor and then TO abide by the result of the
nominating convention. was ready to cypress
this purpose publicly, but many of you were more
cautious than myself and, more fully aware Of the
skilluly arranged plans to prevent my securing u
fair hearing before the people, wisely dissuaded
me from the course which had intended to pur-
sue.
4 had supposed that the established UsageS Of
the party we're to be observed, and that before the
choice Of delegates TO the district convention, |
might be allowed to meet my constituents in most,
if not al) Of the towns Of the district.
in this have been disappointed. The conven-
tion has been called much earlier than usual, and
several Ct the towns chose their delegates eVon be-
fore tho convention was called. The usages Of the
party have been grossly violated by those having
for tie time control o! the party organization.
IL addition to this, the Republican press of the
district has shown no disposition to sustain either
party usage fair play 1t has been, and is
now, mere instrument in the hands OF conspi-
racy to misrepresent and abuse me. In this work
it has been earnestly engaged during the last tgc
years | have had no hearing before the people
These papers, protesting tn be Republican, have
refa sd TO present before my constituents the ia
voraso opinions which the leading Republicar
sssssuieD and the leading Republican journals o
the country have expressed concerning your rep
resentatve; but they have used every possible in
lneuce to disparage auc msrepresent his acts, bis
principles and his motives. These persistent eff
OTIS TO impair my influence and my usefulness
have met me at every step OF my progress in your
service. 1t from these causes have suffered un'
Justly, my constituents have suffered even more
The blows aimed at your representative have fall
en- upon his constituency. / am happy now Il
have opportunity to submit this whole matter tt
the iudsmen Of the people Of this district.
With me, neither parts ties, nor party discip
line, have any authority or respectabiity wher
they come ia conflict with truth and justice AZ
| stood upon the floor of Congress in defence o
my own convictions, aud in defiance Of the author
ity of party, so do here and verywhere, now and
always, free man, ,ondde in II free peuple.
i do, therefore with my whole heart, accept the
comm! as it does from the sovereign
power, and therefore Of higher significance and
authority than any nomination made by the SER
wants Of party organization. This is nomina'
tion of the rery highest authority, and is wholly
cangeuial to my political ideas and principles. II
the people desire me TO represent them longer in
Congress, they will prove it by their votes. What
ever be their decision, shall be content with it as
AN expression Of that popular sovereignty which
contend is the birhrrght Of American citizens
With the highest regard, remain,
Your ubedient servant,
ELI THAYER.
Worcester, September II, 1860.