Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-09-20
Another Democratic Nomination
Declined.

Declined.
We find in the Cedar Rapids Times let
ter from Lieut.. COL Merritt declining the
Democratic nomination for Lieut.. Governor.
He states plainly that he has no sympathy
with the reasonable and bogus Convention
which rendered him the nomination. When
such men desert the party what truly loyal
man can act with it? 81 ~
| Below will be found the main portion of
Col. Merritt's letter:
| have been an ardent and what might be
Regarded as q radical democrat all my life
believe that the fundamental doctrines of
the democratic party are indispensable to the
perpetuity of all free government.
| Prior to the breaking out of the war, was
q jealous advocate for compromise. Indeed
to escape the calamities Of civil war, l was
willing to yield almost any concession de-
manded by the South. But, armed rebellion
opened its batteries on the gallant little band,
shut up within the walls of Sumter, my feel
ings and opinions underwent . change. In
my Judgment, it then became q contest for
the preservation of our government, and the
perpetuity of our liberties. 1t became ques-
ton, whether patriots should tender an hon
est tribute of sacrifice on their country's altar,
or to allow the worst of military despotisms
to ride in triumph over the ruins of the best
government on earth. 1t required the DELHI
Grafton of but a few moments to settle the
question of duty with me- The country was
involved in fearful controversy. Treason
had been quietly and secretly disseminating
its poison through all the avenues of the gov
eminent. The Senate, the House, the Army,
the Navy and the Executive departments,
were transformed into caucus chambers for
connecting and disseminating the vilcst of po-
litical herecies. The whole South seemed to
be arming and marshaling for conflict. The
only hope of safety to the government, was
in the sturdy patriotism of the North. If we
hesitated, faltered or divided, we were ire
trievably lost. Union, firmness and courage
were the indispensable elements for success
Feeling the obligations of country and pos
terity to be more tender and sacred than those
of party,sI resolved to ignore all party ties
for the time being; advocate union of all par
ties to successful and vigorous prosecution
of the war; and enter the lists as soldier tc
do battle for my country. Since adopting
that resolution, have seen no good and sui
ficient reason to change my opinion. On the
the contrary, lcei tiiat every uay aiu HUI
increases the responsibility Of tho citizen t.
, his government; the husband to his wife; ant
the father to his offspring.
Considerations of business have also hat
their influence in determining my course OF
this occasion. Should l abandon the mill
l tary service, my attention must be given tx
, my private business, which is in very I'm
settled state.
The reasons above stated, will, l trust, b
sufficient with every candid and patriotic citi
zen, to justify me in the course have felt call
| ed upon to adopt
Having spoken and acted for the Union or
ganization in this State, my vote must b.
given for the Union ticket, nominated at Des
+ Moines City, on the 2Sth ultimo.
When the war is overland have an abid
ing faith that we shall soon emerge from thu
contest before many months, with the star:
7 and stripes floating from every State capito
in the confederacy-then shall expect to re
, sumo my former place within the organiza
ton of the democratic party; and do good ser
l vice in politica, cause, second only to to thu
1 welfare of our common country.
+ WIN. II. MERRITT.
|