Gazette and sentinel., 1860-05-12
A PATRIOTIC BETTER.
Senator Slidell to Hon. A. Talbot.

The following letter Of the Hon. John
Slidcll, addressed to our fcllow-citizcn,
AUGUsTUS TALBOT, Esq, (Which we take
from the Coaricr,) will be read we have
mo doubt with pleasure, by the people
of lhcrvillc and Of Louisiana generally a:
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1SG0.-Dear Sr:
| have already stated to YOU and other friends
from Louisiana, now here on their way to
Charleston, my wish that my name should
not be presented at any time to the Demo-
cratic National CUnventlon FOR the PrcSidrn-
tial nomination. have given you very fully,
in conversation, my reasons for this course,
and it is, therefore, Unnecessary for me TO re-
peat them. But YOU have suggested. that,
perhaps, other member Of our delegation
might, IN the absence Of any written d, clara
ton from me, feel themselves bound, in COM
pljauce " III the expressed preference Of our
State Convention, to cast their votes for me.
! need not lay to you how profoundly CRATES
ful | am to the Democracy Of Louisiana for
this last and highest evidence Of their conf
dence and attachment. 1t will be for me and
my children the proudest recollection Of our
lives. To you and many other personal and
political frIends | have uniformly said that
have no aspirations for the Presidency, and
that my sole ambjt on ever has been 10 serve
our noble State in the National Senate with
all devotion and faithfulnesS, and with such
poor ability as | could exert in the discharge
Of that high duty.
Louisiana has declared that she is well sat
istied with the manner in which | have fulfill.
ed tie trust twice coEiided to me. This is re.
ward and honor enough for me. But if | had
ever INDUCED in dreams of possible elevation.
to a more exalted station, Ca weakness which
those who best know me will concur in say.
ing | have not fallen lnto), the circumstance
under which the National Democratic Con
~yentlOn will assemble would forbid the idea of
permitting my name to be used. The South
should present an unbrokeu front on the queS.
ton Of Termination. Our Democratic brethren
OF the Northern States have uniformly said
that If we would offer them a candidate " it'll
= certain degree Of unanimity they would &C
cept him at our hands. | have never DIS
trusted their sincerity, and now firmly believe
that 1t will be our own fault If this pledge Is
not redeemed by them. | think it j. for their
] think II is for their interest aS well as ours
thata q stinct, unmistakable issue be submit
ted to the Countrywide election Of a stern, |
uncoInproml>lng supporter OF our C0nstItu-
tional rights or Of a Black Republican. | use
this term in no offensive sense, but as the
most convenient to designate the party OF
which W. III Seward, of New York, is the
type and cm6od ment. There is no Southern
man whose name viii probably be before the
Convention whom | would not cordially sup
port if nominated. Should, after d frank and
full interchange Of V Jews between delegates !
from every section of the CoultdcTacv. L be
deemed eXped'ent to select our candidate from
a non Sisvehoiding State, there are many D..
InocratS whose fidelity to the constitutional
rights Of the South, patriotism, Statesm anShip
aud ability | could have implicit confidence
IN. Dick nson and Seymour, Of New York,
Lane, OF Oregon, q iTonrcv, Of Connecticut.
have bee" i.Cre frequently mentioned as
among the probable candidates 10 be prescott ,
Cd to the convention. Either of them will dc.
serve, and | hope that some one Of them will
receive, the votes of Slave-hold;ng S,ates,
should their delegations fail to mite on one OF
own citizens. ! DO not look upon the
nomination of Judge Douglas as a probable
or even possible event, as it can only be made
in opposition to the almost unanimous senti-
ment of the South.
Respectfully,
JOHN SLIDELL..
Hon. AUGUsTUs Talbot.