The national Republican., 1861-07-10
THE POSITION OF JOHN ]. CRIT.
TENDEN-LETTER FROM GARRET
PANS. XIV. .L,ns % 1861

PARIS, KY, June 26, 1861.
Lara anderson, Esq.-Dedr Sir: Our State
has been again called upon to speak her voice
on the question Of Union or secession, and she
has spoken by an immense majority according
to the true and noble teachings Of her dead
Clay and living Crittenden. In our district the
last Of the great old Romans has obtained .
vote which represents the strength of its Union
sentiment and its appreciation of his wisdom,
virtue, and public services. But even now the
newspapers have commenced the work of mis-
representing him.
Mr.. Crittenden had formed the deliberate pur-
pose never again to take any Office, but to give
the residue OF his days to the quietude of private
life. He was only induced to stand for seat
in Congress from the Ashland district, by the
earnest and persistent solicitations of friends,
in it and out of it, who had honored him so
long and 80 much, and who desired to restore
its former splendor. In all his speeches he dis.
tinctly expressed his utter distrust of his ability
to do anything towards delivering the country
from it great troubles, and besought the people.
if he should be elected, not to be disappointed
though his utmost exertions to that end should
prove fruitless. He said, in reply to questions
propounded 10 him through the public prints,
that for the defence Of the capital of the nation
he would vote men and money to any amount
that might become necessary to defend it
against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
That if the seeded States made Just and
reasonable proposition to restore the Union and
peace, he would not thereafter vote another man
or dollar to make war upon them. That if
such proposition was made to them, he would
vote supplies to enable the President faithfully
to execute the duties Of his office and the laws
of Congress.
1t is not true that Mr.. Crittenden intends to
propose any ultimatum in Congress to ad just the
existing national difficulties. He thinks the war
ought never to have been begun, and ought to
be brought to speedy close upon just and
proper terms, which would restore the Union
and peace. But he does not believe that he
would be the most suitable person to present
propositions TO that end to Congress at its next
session. He hopes they will originate with
others under whose auspices they would be
more likely to have better promise of success,
and will give any proper ones, come from what
quarter they may, his most earnest support.
He seeks no fame or even prominence in con.
nection with this subject but hopes that all the
wounds of his torn and bleeding country may
be healed, and will ever be ready to give all
aid and honor to the blessed physicians who
can suggest the remedies. His constituents
and his countrymen will give him full trust and
confidence in the whole matter. They know
tnat ne iuliy ana correctly compartments his
noble mission to be to cooperate in the great
and holy work of pacifcaton. He will make
no questions or issues merely to throw them
before the country.
He has the experience of fifty years of prac-
tical craftsmanship, and on that long and bril-
liant career, there is not shadow of solitary
cloud. The nation does homage to his great
ability, his experience, patriotism, and the un'
selfish nobleness of his soul. He has no pas.
sions to indulge, no schemes Of ambition to
promote. The present is posterity to him, and
from the grand elevation of the past, he sur
veys the whole of his sundered and warning
country, and his only aspiration to Heaven is
for its pacfcaton and reunion. He would
deem the humblest contribution by himself to.
wards that priceless work not only the greatest
service, but the greatest reward of his life. If
others do not move in it, he may, but not until
there is prospect of etfecting some good.
Mr.. Crittenden, from his position, can best de.
termine the time when it will be proper to make
demonstration. That time may come during
the ensuing session of Congress, and it may
not. His constituents and countrymen will
quietly and trustingly bde his judgment and
his time. aT''-
30 this matter seems to me.
As ever, your faithful friend,
''- GARRETT DAVIS.