Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-08-21

II I
MoRRow, Ono, August 3, 1861. !.
- PoinT Farm, August IL, 1861.
DEAR SIR,-The extreme illness of member
OF my family has for several weeks so entrel,
engrossed my attention, as to leave me but lit
tie time for other engagements, and wiii ac
count for this tardy acknowledgment OF your
favor of the 9Th instant. - y - -l..9l@
had noticed in the city papers the proceed
ings OF the Democratic Union Convention, late
ly assembled at Columbus, and was not a little
surprised 10 fnd that my name had been used
In connection with the Lieutenant GoyernorshiI
Of the State. deeply regretted that had moi
been consulted in the matter, and now desire
70 say, that respectfully decline the nomina.
ton. have no inclination to be candidate
fot ann Office. IL ever cherished ambition
for such distinction have been cured Of it, and
feel entirely reconciled to the quiet and retire
ment of private life. But ID 10, perhaps, due
myself TO say that If this were not the case
and l felt entirely free to enter again the field
Of political conflict, could not consent to be a
paytv candidate for office, in the present condi
ton of the country. Party spirit, in my opin.
ion, has done more than anything else to bring
about the sad calamities which now 90 seriously
affect US, and the poison which has induced
this national paralysis would not prove an, eff.
eient remedy in the restoration OF the patient
The time has come when weshould forget party
throw off its trammels and obligations, and
stand up for the Country, its Union, Constitu-
tion and laws. sy .r.-r
was not. as you know, asupporter. OF MIR.
Lincoln for the Presidency do | ap-
prove OF all the acts of his Administration =
But IL seems to me that this Is not the proper
time to arraign the Administration for these
errors of policy; aud that it is neither the part
of wisdom or patriotism to assail the Govern
ment when the enemy is laundering at the gates
Of the Capital. Let US first settle the great
questions of Country or no Country, Govern
ment or no Government, Union OF, DisnnioD;
and having accomplished this great work OF
duty and patriotism, we will have ample time
TO INQUIRE into these alleged deliDquencies of
our rulers; and If we find them wanting in the
Jeffersonian requirements for Office, let them be
condemned by verdict Of the people.
certainly owe the Republicans, as party,
no debt of political obligation, and yet do
not hesitate 60 say that the Administration has
my warmest sympathies in its Efforts TO put
down this rebellion, and am in favor of doing
this effectively and permanently peace II
we can, in war II we must. fA II lEE "
A distinguished member of Congress is re.
ported to have said in his place in the House
oi Representatives during the last session; that
nc was for "peace- rEACE boroRE THE UsIoN."l
,Itoo, AIN for peace, but am for the UEloS BE-
roRe PEACE, for know without the Union we
mn have DO peace. E tF- MI 1T
In repeating my de- e uination TO decline the
,ominaiion which, as the organ OF lhe Conven
lion, you SO kindly tender me, I beg 20 assure
,ou OF my proper appreciation of this marx Of
confidence on the part Of the COnven-.
ion. Very respectfully, t J a
Your obedient servant,
j. SCOTT HARRISON.
To WILLIAM S. JOHNSON, ESQ.
Secretary Of State Central Committee.