The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-06
A Patriotic Letter from a Son of Presi-
ia dent Harrison.

At the Democratic State Convention OF
Ohio, lately held, JOHN Soorr HARRISON,
son of President HARRISON, was nominated
for the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Mr..
HARRISON has been arrayed against the Re.
publican party since its organization, and
has held seat in Congress- in spite of their
opposing votes. But, overlooking the fact
of his prejudice against Republicanism. he
is unwilling, at the present crisis of affairs,
to be made an instrument OF to weaken the
hands of the Government, by assuming a
position of hostility against the Federal
Administration. He joins in the Union
movement in Ohio, as the best means through
which the Government can be sustained.
He therefore declines the Democratic nomi-
nation, in the following terms:
POINT FARM, August Is, 1861.
DEAR SIR The extreme illness of member
of my family has, for several weeks, So engag.
ed my attention, as to leave me but little time
for other engagements, and will account for
this tardy acknowledgment of your favor of
the Sth inst.
1 had noticed in the city papers the proceed
ings of the Democratic Union Convention, late.
ly assembled at Columbus, and was not little
surprised to find that my name had been used
in connection with the Lieutenant Governor.
ship of the State. l deeply regretted that
had not been consulted in the matter, and now
desire to say that l respectfully decline the
nomination. have no inclination to be a can.
didate for any office.
If ever cherished ambition for such distnc-
tion have been cured of it, and feel entirely
reconciled to the quiet and retirement of pri-
vate life. But it is, perhaps, due myself to
say that if this was not the case. and felt en-
tirely free to enter again the field of political
conflict, l could not consent to be party can.
didate for office, in the present condition of the
country. Party spirit, in my opinion. has done
more than anything else to bring about the sad
calamities which now so seriously affect 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 ,chen zoe should forget party, hro,c off ats
trammels and obligations, and stand up for the
Country, its Union, Constitution, and iaaos.
was not as you know, supporter of Mr.
Lincoln for the Presidency-neither do l ap-
prove of all the acts of his administration.
But it seems to me that this is not the proper
time to arraign the Administration for those
errors of policy, and that it is neither the part of
wisdom or patriotism to assail the Government
when the enemy is laundering at the gate of
the Capital. Let us first settle the question Of
Country or no Country. Governmentor no
Government, Union or Disunion, and hav.
ing accomplished this great work of duty
and patriotism, we will have ample time
to inquire into these alleged delinquencies of
our rulers and if we find them wanting in the
Jeftersonan requirements for office, let them
be condemned by verdict of the people.
certainly owe to the Republicans, as par
ty, no debt of political obligation, and yet l do
not hesitate to 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-in peace if
we can, in war if we must.
A distinguished member of Congress is re-
ported to have said in his place in the House
of Representatives, during the late session,
that he was for 'peace peace before the
Union" I,too, am for peace, but am for the
Union before peace, for l know without the
Union we can have no peace.
In repeating my determination to decline
the nomination which, as the organ of the
Convention, you so kindly tender to me, beg
to assure you of my proper appreciation Of
this mark of respect and confidence on the
part of the Convention.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
j. SCOTT HARRISON.
To William A. johnson, Esq, Secretary of the
State Central Committee.