The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-06-13


The Presidency, none other having been sug
gested TO me; but all the reasons above
indicated, which led me in advance to de-
cline such nomination. apply with equal
force to the Vice-Presidency. These rea-
sons, OF course, still exist in unimpared
force. and cannot now take an active part
in politics withnut abandoning a deliberately
formed purpose, and even exposing myself
to the suspicion OF nsincerity IN its present
ay0wa.
Without dwelling upon these con,idera.
tons, of which, however, ! am sure the
weight will be admitted, beg leave TO adj
vert for q moment 10 my connection with
'le movement for the purchase OF Mount
Vernon, to which your letter ailud2s IN such
obliging terms. The favor which has at
tended my eSertons in that cause, (if may
without indelicacy say anything on that sub
iect,) has been mainly the result OF my known
and recognized disconnection from party
politics. Iii could have been even pausi-
lby inSinuateh that was, OF intended to be-
come candidate for high political honors,
should, in my various excursions N All 81
that fund, have laid myself open 70 the I'M
patatiuE II speaking one word for Mount
Vernon and two for myself. As It Is. the
people Throughout the tInion have generously
given me credit for having a single eve to
that meritorious object. A. far as the pur,
chase Of Mount Vernon is concerned, that
Obiec, has been effected, under the judlcious
and efficrent management Of the Regent and
Vice Regents ot the Association, with the
aid Of their intelligent and active assistants
throughout the Union. But sum Of money
equal to that already raised is still wanting
/ for the repair Of the Mansion. the enclosure
Of the land purchased, the restoration of the
/ house and grounds, as TAR as practicable, to
/ their condition in 1900, and the establish
ment of a permanent fund for their conser-
walton. own that am DESTROYS still TO
enjoy the privilege OF cooperating in this
noble work which, however, 1t will be i'm
possible for me 10 do 10 any advantage,
whatever NAV be the result of the present
canvass, if am now drawn into the vortex
! Of a strenuously contested election. There
are many parts Of the country which | have
not vet visited. | had promised myself a
rich harvest from the patriotic liberallty nl
the States on the Gulf Of Mexico, and 81
those bordering on the Mississippi river,
(which | have not yet been able TO visit.
with the exception Of Missouri, though often
kindly invited, and confess that It i very
painful 10 me % withdrawn from that broad
/ field Of congenisl labor, To tread the thorns
and thankless paths Of politics
\ Apart from the pecuniary aspects 81 the
case, which, however. are ot considerable
Importance. | will candidly say, that ii
holding up to the admirlng yeneration Of the
American people the peerless name Of Wash
ington, (allnost the only bond Of fraterna
sentiment which the bitterness Of our sec
tonal controversies has left u.s. feelas i
was doing more good, as far as am abi.
to do any good, and cOntribu ting more Il
revive the kindly feeling which once exstet
between North and South, and which is now
grieye to say. nearly extinct. than coul,
possibly do By engaging in the wretehe'
scramble for Office which j. one grea
source of the dangers that threaten tbs
country.
These considerations, and Others Of a still
more personal nature. have necessarily oc
casioned me 10 reflect long and anxluusl,
before accepting the nomination with whiel
the Union Convention has hnnOred me. Il
Welding at length 70 The earnest solicitations
which have been addressed TO me, from III,
most respectable sources in almnst ever,
/ part Of the Uoion, make painful satrific,
Of inciinltion 10 what am led 10 believe
public duty. II has been urged upon me. an,
cannot deny that such j. nv own feeling
that We have fallen upon times which cal
upon all COOL citizens, az whatever cost b
personal convenience, IL contribute their
share. however SAMPLE. to tie public ser.
vice.
/ suppose Il 70 be the almost unirer-a
impression--it Is certainly minc-,hat tie
existing state Of affairs j. extremely critical
Our political controversies have substantial,
assumed an almost purely sectional ehsrac
tsr-ihat Of fearful struggle between I'll,
North aud the South. II would not be diff
cult 20 show at length the perilous nature
and tendency ul this struggle. bit ! can onl
say, on this occasion, that ia nv opDon, i
eanntt be much longer kept up. wiihou
rpnding the Union. ! do not mean tina
either Of the great parties ia the eouhir,
desires or ain, az a separation ot the State
as final nbjeei, although there are extfe
mists IN considerable numbers who have tha
object ~ view. Whle potent and baleiu
Influence i exercised by men Of this class
ia both sections uf tie Union, portion o
the conservative masses are insPnslby an,
gradually gnahed into concurrence wit
opinions aud sentiments with which, 10 til
olt.ri, they had 90 sympathy. Meantime
ALMOST wholly neglecting the main publil
interests. our political controversies TURF
more AMI more ~ questions. in reference /,
which, A. abstract formulas. the great sec
tons ~ the ctmn'ry differ irreconciIsbly
though there = nalhing practically importan
al stake, I'll I'd require. the discussion 10 81
kept Up. Tne.e controversies are carries
on with steadily Increasing b 'ternes, an,
evaporation. The passions thus kindlet
have already lei 10 acts of violence an,
bloOdsheJ. approaching To- civil war IN tI,
Territories. aud attempted serviIe ihsursr
tiop in the states. Tie great religious an,
+ philanihropic associations 81 the eoantry
are sgndsrpd and tbe kindly social relation