Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-17


AMHERST, Oct. IL, 1851
S. N. .StockWeH Esq, Secretary. 9c.-Dear
Sir: On the 9th received your letter OF the
3d INST. informing me that at convention
called by the republican state committee, oI
'a citizens who are Ill favor OF union Tor the
support OF the government, and Tor vigorous
prosecution OF The war against wicked ana UNI
provoked rebellion, and VINO are determined
IN good faith and without reservation 10 sup.
port the constituted authorities IN all attempts
10 restore the sway OF the constitution ana
laws i'll all portions OF the country, was
nominated as candidate Tor the Office OF lieut.
enaut governor OF the commonwealth Tor the
ensuing political year, and reply =
That while | am not insensIbIe TO the honor
of a nomination TO an important office, so
gracefully and heartily, aud SO Unexpectedly
rendered by a numerous convention composed
very largely OF gentlemen OF whose political
organization have not been recognized as Il
member, but IA nomination which my impulses
and wishes woul have led ME Immediately
aud unquali:edly To decliue, yet have found
myself embarrassed by The urgent solicitations
OF influential friends Tor whose opinions have
the highest respect, 10 accept the position as
matter OF public duty
This conflict between my persona nclma'
tons and the appeals OF others to ne, has
b after as candid and crrelul consider atiDo
as have been able 10 give the subject, my
first impressions have settled into convictions,
and think it my duly to decline the accept
! ance OF the nominatlon-eXpresslng at the
same tine my grateful Acknowledgements TO the
convention, for the very kind and cordial man
ner in which it was made.
-5tf,ev any 'IBCUnN entenCe or M
jusy viii arise from the substitution OF another
Il Il.
-7wpuid allow 10 personal considerations to in.
tcrtere with Dr prevent the discharge of a duty
TO The state III The new and untried condition
OF our public affairs
cannot allow this opportunity to pass
without expressing my warm appreciation Of
the manner in which the state government
has been administered since the commencement
OF the war, and TO assure those who have had
the direction, that the great mass OF the people
are ready to sustain IL and its policy; ana if line
unmistakeOle indications OF their sentiments
and wishes had induced the committees of the
several political organizations to unite in the
call OF peoples convention without dis.
tmctiun OF party, there would have been IL re.
spouse OF enthusiastic acclamaiOn at the re.
nomination ot the present governor. and all
would have joined in adopting resolutions of
appreciation OF what has already been 50
promptly and noby accomplished, and there
by exhibited to the whole country the moral
power which the assurance OF Ihe united SENT.
ment OF the people in favor OF still more vigor.
Gus measures ior The prosecution OF The war to
The end can alone produce. The opportunity
was only wanting and if yet presented, the
voice Of The loyalty OF Massachusetts would 90
up in one full acclaim, as the voice OF one man.
While we are IN the midst OF IA civil war
cuSelcsS and wicked beyond all historic prec
edent, and in face OF gigantic rebellion Tor
the overthrow OF government viii ch was in.
slItuteu Tor the extension and protection and
pelpetuatlon OF human freedom, and the cree
ton upon its ruins OF despotism whose chief
corner stone is proclaimed 10 be the perpetual
ton OF human slavery, all party organizations
and platforms sink INTO utter significance.
Theories of government are buried under
the weight of the only and all absorbing issue
OF national existence and The only QUESTION
while all that is worth preserving is III peril,
is How can We the most efficiently sustain
the national administration IN putting down
forever this unholy rebellion, and in rescuinu
the government-which has hitherto protected
all, and is ready still to protect all loyal cili
zens-irom the grasp OF conspirators and trai
tors
Let us in this eXigency repudiate all political
Yagaries and lancies let US denounce, as sub
VerhlNe OF all constitutional guarantees, ii we
expect TO reconstruct or restore the Union the
heretical dogma that immediate and universal
emancipation of slaves should~ be proclaimed
by the government, as the means OF putting
an end Tor The war and the rather to hope aud
pray that, in the good providence OF God,
emancipation may be one OF the blessed results
OF the war.
Let us sustain the national administration in
its policy as avowed, with all our heart and
might; lei US uuitedly grid ourselves ior the
terrible contest in which we are engaged, and
resolve TO fight on and fight ever" mder the
constitution, "nntil the sway OF the constitution
and the laws shall be restored to all portions OF
our country.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
EDWARD DICKINSON.