Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-08
Resirnation of AM Elector.

DR.. I. w. Keen, of Rockingham, Democratic
Elector for the sixth District has resigned his posi-
ton as such. The Winston Sentinel calls for Con-
oentios Of the District to lie held at Winston on the
5th of September. We subjon Dr. Keen's letter:
Dr.. 7. W. KEENs LETTER
To the Democracy Of The 6th Congressional district.
SrAcYvmLE, N. c., July Is, 1860.
When received the nomination for Elector on
the Democratic ticket felt that acceptance on
my part would involve heavy personal sacrifice
that was little able to bear, but the unaninity
with which it was given without any solicitation
my part gave me the strongest assurance that mi
nor differences could not divide US in this district
and placed me under obligations that | could not
lightly consider, willingly decline. therefore
accepted the nomination IN advance of the nomna-
ton for President and Vice President, with full
and expressed determination to support the nomi-
nee of the Democratic Convention. had my choice,
and most if not all, the members of the Conven-
ton knew that it was Stephen A. Douglas of Hi
nois; they knew that preferred him not for ability
alone, but that endorsed his principles. But my
preference for him was subordinate to the interest
and success of the Democratic party, and there
fore hesitated not to declare that if the chosen Rep
resentatiyes OF the Democracy in the National Con-
vention selected another, l would cheerfully give
him up, and exert my humble abilities in favor of
their choice. The National Convention has assem-
bled and closed its labors. You have seen its pro-
ceedings; the result of its deliberations is known
to you. Stephen A. Douglaa Of Illinois, and Hers
che V. johnson, of Georgia, were nominated for
President and Vice President but before these nomi
nations were made large majority of the Southern
Delegates and few of the Northern, constituting
in all about one-third Of the whole National dele
cation, withdrew from the Convention anG nomi-
mated John c. Breckenridge, of Kentucky for Presi-
dent, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice Presi-
dent Nearly the whole of the North Carolina dele
CATION including the delegates from this District,
were with the seceders, and aided in making the
latter nomination. Were to continue to occupy
the position which you have assigned me, the duty
would deyolve on me of saying whether | would
accept the nominations made by the National Demo
cratic Convention, or those made by the seceders
with our immediate representatives; this l should
not hesitate for moment to do were | acting in
individual capacity. would not hesitate to declare
that Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel ". johnson,
stand the choice Of the National Democracy on a
platform national in its character and Just to all
tons of this confederacy and should therefore re-
ceye the votes of all good national men for the Off
ces to which they have been nominated but acting
your servant, and mindful. of your rights and
privileges resign to you NY position as a candi-
date for Elector the Democratic ticket and leave
you free and unembarrassed to take such course
der the circumstances as you may deem right and
proper.
/ cannot close this communication without ex-
pressing the hope, that divided as we arc at pre-
sent that our strength may yet be so united, that
Lincoln and Hamin at the North, and Bell and Ev-
erett at the South, shall gain nothing by dissen
sions, and that Democratic principles may still be
sustained, and the Union preserved
And now permit me to retuIn you my sincere
thanks for your kind sentiments towards me per-
sonally, and assure you that shall ever cherish,
with the fordest recollection, the personal friend
ship of many Democrats, with whom l fear, in the
Presidential contest, shall be compelled to differ
Respectfully yours, &c,
T. W. KEEN. :
Coz. j. W. ALsPAuGH