Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-07


It's written in lr. EEEIErrs best style and steers
entirely clear Of all political questions He entirely
fails to say a word from which conclusion can be
drawn as to the correctness Of the Black Republic
can doctrine that it is both the right and duty Of
Congress to exclude slavery from the Territories
Hr. EVERETT having at one time declared that he
fully concurred in the main line Of argument in
the speech Of the Aboliaonist SUMNER for which
PRESTON Brooks whipped him 50 severely It would
have been exceedingly appropriate for him to have
stated, in his letter Of acceptance whether or not he
now adheres to the views then entertained by him.
Having failed to do SO we take it that he is Of the
same opinion still Such being the case Southern
men viii be slow to aid him in his aspirations;
llT. Ersrea to Hon. Washington Hunt
BOsTON, May %, 1860.
Ny DEAR SIR: have duly received your letter Of
the Ilth 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
lam deeply impressed with this Manifestation of
the favorable opinion of the Convention, comprising
as il did among its members many persons distin
guished for public service, patriotism, and intelll-
gence and fairly representing considerable pOr-
ton Of the conservative feeling Of the country. For
the great cordially with which, you inform me,
my name was proposed and received, my warmest
thanks are due.
The grateful acceptance Of such nomination
would, under ordinary circumstances, be a matter
of course but has unavoidably been with me the
subject OF long and anxious hesitation. The grounds
Of this hesitation I owe it to the Convention which
has hun0red me with this mark of its confidence,
and to myself, 70 explain 10th as l am TO dwell on
matters of personal interest Of no Importance TO
the public
1t lis generally known that have for some years |
past retired from active participation in political
life, not, hope have shown, from incidence or
want Of sympathy with my fellow-cltlzens in the
pursuit Of the great objects of social life The rea
sons of my retirement have been more than once
publicly stated and beg to repeat them here from
my speech at the Union meeting in Faneuil Hall last
December:
Il did not suppose that anything could occur
which could make me thiLk it my duty to appear
again on this platform any occasion Of political
character; ard had this meeting been of party
nature designed to promote any party purposes,
should not have been here. When compelled by
the prostraton Of my health five years ago to re
sign the distinguished place then filled in the pub
lie service it was with no expectation no wish, and
intention of again mlngllng In the scenes of
public life. ] have accordingly, with the partial
restoration Of my health, abstaned from all par
ticipati0n IN political action of any kind partly
because l have found more congenlal, and, as /
venture 70 think more useful occupation in seek
ing to rally the affections OF my cOuntrymen North
and South 70 that great name and precious memory
which are left almost alone Of all the numerous
kindly associations which once bound the different
sections of the country together; and Also because
between the extremes of opinion that have long dis
tr8cted aud threaten TO cOuYulse the country,
find no middle ground Of practical usefulness on
which friend Of moderate cOUnsels can stand.'
It having been suggested to me, notwithstanding
these avoals that Knight be thought Of at the Union
Convention as a candidate for the Presidency, re
quested by telegraphic message and by letter that
my name, If brought forward, might be Withdrawn.
It's true that in these communications had only in
se5fI g,+14-
having been suggested TO me; but all the reasons
above indicated, which led me in advance to decline
such nomination apply with equal force to the
Vice Presidency. These reasons Of course still eX-
ist in unimpaired force, and l cannot now take an
active part in politics without abandoning deliber
ately formed purpose, and even exposing myself to
the suspicion Of insincerity ia Its persistent avOwa
Without dwelling upon these considerations, of /
which, however am sure the weight viii be admit
ted, beg leave to advert for moment to my CON
nectiOn with the movement for the purchase of
Mount Vernon, 70 which your letter alUdes in such
Obiging terms. The favor which has attended my
ezeruons IN that cause Of may without indelcacy
say any thing on the subjec has been mainly the re-
suit OF my known recognised disconneCtOn from
party politics Ii it could have been even plausibly
Insinuaed that was OF intended 10 become candi-
date for high political h0nors, should, IN my va
TiOus excursions in aid Of thar fund, have LAID my
self open 10 the imputation Of speaking one word !
IOr Mount Vernon and two for myself As il Is. the
people throughout the Union have generously given |
me credit for having single eye TO that meritouous
object
As far as the purchase of Mount Vernon is con-
cerned that object has been effected under the Judi
cious and efficient management Of the Regent and ]
Vice Regents Of the Association, with the aid Of
their intelligent and active assistants throughout the
Union. But a sum of money equal to that already
raised still wanting for the repair of the mansion,
che enclosure Of the land purchased, the restora-
uon of the house and grounds, as far practical
bic, to their condition in 1890. and the establishment
of a permanent fund for their conservation. own
that am desirous still to enjoy the privilege Of CO.
operating in this noble work, which however, il will
bemposslble for me TO do &c any Advantage. whatever
may De the result OF the present canvass If am now
drawn into the vortex Of strenously contested
election. There are many parts Of the country
which I have not vet visited. had promised my
self rich harvest from the patriotic iberaly of
the States on the Gulf Of Mexico, and Of those on
the Mississippi river. (Which 1 have not yet been
able TO visit with the exceptions of Missouri
though often kindly invited and confess that it Is
painful for me to Withdraw from that broad field Of
cCngenal labor to tread the thorny and hGDljeSS |
paths OF politics.
Apart from the pecuniary aspects of the case, |
which however, are of considerable Importance, 1
viii candidly say. that holding up TO the admlring
generation of the American people the peerless /
name OF Washington almost the only bond of fra
ternal sentiment which the bitterness Of our sec
tional controversies has left us feel as if was
doing more good. as far as enable to do any good,
ard contributing more TO revive the kindly feeling
which once existed between North and South, and |
which is now, grieye to say. nearly extinct than
could possibly do by engaging in the wretched |
scramble for Ofiice-which is one great source Of
the dangers that threaten the country.
These considerations and others Of a still more
personal nature, have necessarily OccasiUned me to
reflect long and GnXOusy, before accepting the NOM
nation with which the Union Convention has hon
org3 me- In Welding at length 10 the earnest sOlIC
tatious which have been addressed TO me, from the
most respectable sources in almost every part Of
the Union, make painful sacrifice of inclination
20 what am led 20 believe public duty. II has
been urged upon me and cannot deny that such is
my own feeling, that have fallen upon times
which call upon all good citizens. at whatever cost
OF personal convenience, 70 contribute their share
however humble, TO the public service.
/ suppose il 70 be the almost universal impression
it Is certainly mine-that the existing state of af-
fairs is extremely critical. urpolitical controver-
sizes have substantially assumed aHalmOs purely sec
tional Character-that of fearful struggle between
the North end the South. u would n0 be difficult 70
show at length the Teril9us nature and tendency Ct
The struggle. but 1 can only say, on this occasion.
that In my opinion. it cannot be much longer kept
up w-thOu, reudirg the Union do not mean that
either of the great parties IN the country desires or
aims az separation of The States hnal object,
although there are extremists in considerable num-
bers who have that object In view. While potent
and baleiul influence Is exercised by men OF this
class m both sections OF the Union. portion of the
conservative masses are i1seusiblv and gradually
-oaded into concurrence with opinions and senti-
ments vith which in the outset they had no sympa-
thy Meantime almost wholly ueClcctiag the main
public interests, our political controversies turn
more and more on questions in reference to which, |
rs abstract formula. the great sections Of the coun-
try differ Irreconclla5y, though there is nothing
practically Important at stake which REQUIRES the
discussion to be kept un These controversies are
carried on with steadily Increasing bitterness and |
evaporation. The passions thus kindled have al /
ready led 90 acts OF violence and bloodshed ap- /
preaching 20 civil war in the Territories and at |
tempted serYiie iGsuTT2cton in the States. The
great religious and plulautuopiC associations of the
country are sundered, and the kindly social rela-
tons o. North and south seriously Unmarried The Z
National House of Representative lowering on the
verge of anarchy, requires weeks TO effect the or
ganzation. which ought TO be the work of an hour
and ii holds its session lmany o. its members. am
told, armed with concealed wcapons) on the crust
of a volcano. The candidates for the Presidency ]
representing respectively the dominant sectional S
ideas vi at the ensuing clccJon,n all probability
be supported by purely geographical vote In oti-
er words we are already brought 10 a mass az
which North and South cannot and will NOT co-o--