Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-08-30
DECLINATIoN OF TIE HON. JOHN SCOTT
HARRISON.


PoiNT FARM, Aug. IS, 1851.
DEAR SIa:-The extreme illness of il
member Of my family has for several
weeks 50 entirely cngrossed my atten
ton. as to leave me but little time for
other engagements, and will account for
this tardy acknow Judgement OF your IA
vor Of the Sth inst.
I had noticed in the city papers the
proceedings Of the Democratic Union
Convention, lately assembled at Column
bus, and was not little surprised that
my name had been used in connection
with the Lieutenant-Governorship OF
the State. deeply regretted that had
not been consulted in the matter, and
now desire to say, that | respectfully
decline the nomination. | have no in
clination to be a candidate for aHy Office.
If ever l cherished ambition for such
distinction, | have been cured Of it, and
feel entirely reeonciIed to the quiet and
retirement Of private life. But it is,
perhaps, due myself TO say, that if this
was not the case, and | felt entirely free
to enter again the field Of political CON
hict. I could not consent to be Il party
candidate for office, in the present CON
dition of the country. Party spirit, in
my opinion, has done more than any
thing else to bring about the sad calam-
tiles which now so seriously y effect us,
and the poison which has induced this
national paralysis would not prove an
efficient remedy in the restoration of
the patient. The time has come when
we should forget party, throw off its
trammels and obligations, and stand up
for the Country, its Union, Constitu
tion, and Laws.
was not, as you know, supporter
of Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency
neither do l approve of all the acts of
his Administration. But it seems to
me that this is not the proper time to
arra;gn the Administration for these er-
rors of policy; and that it is neither the
part of wisdom or patriotism to assail
the Government when the enemy is
laundering at the gates Of the capital.
Let us first settle the great questions of
Country or no Country, Government or
no Government, Union or Disunion; and
having accomplished this great work OF
duty and patriotism, we will have am
pie time to inquire into these alleged
delinquencies of our rulers; and if we
find them wanting in the Jefersonan
requirements for office, let them be
condemned by verdict of the people
certainly owe the Republicans, as a
party, no debt of political obligation
and yet [ do not hesitate to say that
the Administration has my Warmest
sympathies in its efforts to put down re-
bellion, and [ am in favor of doing this
effectively and permanently-in peace
if We can, In war if we must.
A distinguished member Of Congress:
is reported to have said in his place in
the House of Representatives during
the last session, that he was for peace
peace before tie Tnion.' [, too, an
for peace, but l am for the Uuinn before
peace, for | know without the Union VIC
can have no peace.
In repeating my determination to de-
cline the nomination which, as the or.
gan of the Convention, you so kindly
tender me, [ beg to assure you of my
proper appreciation of this mark Of re
spect and confidence on the part of the
Convention.
Very respectfully, your obedientseryant
J. SCOTT HARRISON.
To WILLIAM \. JOHNSON, Esq, Secre
tary of State Central Committee.