The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-15
BALTIMORE. 18th May, 1861.
To Jonathan Meredith ESQ Daniel WdrfeId Es1 Lam.

Il. ii.
To Jonathan Meredith Esq Daniel Wdrfeld, Esq, Lam.
bert Cuttings, Esq, and others:
GENTLEMEN-I acknowledge the very great honor con-
veyed in your letter Of the 18th instant inviting
become candidate for the ngress of the United States
and return grateful feelings for the kind express
Many other estimable citizens have in a less formal
manner honored me with the request. Such call
in the present affecting situation of country which
has the first claim upon the services of all its citizens
thus de by those whom all must recognize among
the number of our best citizens and made without
spect former political differences, demands my pro-
found respect. And when am led to believe, by the
opinions udicous friends (who know my repugnance
to the lcdyS leading into public e) that your call rep
resents a very general wish among my fellow citizens
thus to distinguish me- do not feel at liberty to decline
it. and therefore you are authorized after reading this
reply you continue OF the opinion that my nomination
will obtain general approval, to announce
ddate represent the Fourth Cor gressiona District
Candor, and an impressive sense OF responsibility, due
to unhappy times requires me- however that
have always been firmly opposed to the principles of
secession and do not believe that any sufficient cause
existed to justify it, that it provides remedy for those
wrongs of which the South has justly complained Or
Constitution, strengthening ITSELF and the Union under
it. and mo- revolution destroying both, provides the
adequate remedy by the provisions it contains for its
amendment
These views, which have from the first advanced I
still maintain and can vet through them the paths of
peace, which, with the favor of Heaven intend always
to point out to my countrymen, and for myself most
faithfully to follow them.
The geographical position of Maryland requires her
representatives to hold the olive branch rather than the
sword and this is her honor well her interest We
ought upon this point to he united people. ! have
serny opposed the platform of principles and hos
tile policy of the Republican party, and will with
uncompromising spit, believing it to be sectional and
With this short statement OF views, l wish it to he
clearly understood that cannot offer any other pledge
TO govern the responsible duties of representative at
this time il called to perform them than such the
tcedents ofmy private and public life and character
may afford
The uncertain events of porentons future forbid
to become the candidate representative Of party and
leave free to pursue of independence
for the sake of countryits peace its preservation
and its union-and those countless blessings which its
Constitution dspenses to US, and will after US, to our
poserity.
In the sacred preservation of our Union under this
great charter of ibertiesn also cenered the
hopes interests the of free gov
ernment In comparison of these with the period of an
Administration of Government, and all the evils its
Constitutional powers possibly innct they sink into
nsguifcance in the eyes of conscientious and
truehearted patriotism.
am, very respectfully,
Your friend and ob't servant,
My