Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-22

The ''PEoPLEs" AND DEMOCRATIC CANDI-
DATE FOR GovERNoR.-Gen. Devens writes
to the president eff the ''peoples" convention
as follows:
WASHINGTON Co., MD, Oct Is, 1862.
Dear SRI regret that l received no init
nation that my name was to be used before
the peoples convention, previously to the
time the nomination was made. Had known
it earlier l should have taken immediate teps
to prevent such use.
In the field, in the service of the country,
to whose cause, that of constitutional liberty,
l have at least endeavored to devote myself
with all my energies, no position could be 50
congenial to me as that which | now occupy
in the great work of suppressing a rebellion,
more gigantic in wickedness than even in its
proportions, and Of restoring and maintaining
the rightful supremacy Of the constitution.
1t has been my earnest wish since the COM
mencement of the conflict, that as no soldier
inquiries into the politics of the brave comrade
who fights by his side, glad only that he is
sustained by a stout heart and a strong arm,
so no citizen should seek to know politically
more of another than that which concerns his.
devotion to the imperiled Union, and that for
getting party lines and party issues, even those
in ordinary times of gravest importance, we
might cordially unite to Sustain and support
the government, the constitution, and the
laws and aid the chosen and constituted mead
of the nation, the president, in his patriotic
and self-saerificing labors to save the country,
and put down rebellion"
That it is desirable to make this effort in
Massachusetts, the peoples convention en-
bracing in its members representatives from
the various political organizations OF the state,
among which | recognize the names OF many
who, in tins bloody struggle, without teelingit
a sacrifice, have laid upon the altar OF the
country, the most precious Of offerings, has
decided.
have received, with the profoundest feel
ing, the views of such an assemblage, and re-
cognizing the rights Of the citizens of Massa-
chusetts to command the services of each and
all their fellow citizens in times public peril,
in everything not inconsistent to duty to the
country, l do not feel at liberty to disregard
such an expression of the wishes of those
whose Judgment | am bound to respect; and
l shall therefore leave the whole matter to the
decision of the people, confident that in their
action they will have due regard to the best
interests of the state and nation, in the fear
ful crisis through which our republican insti-
slituton are now passing.
| have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
CHARLES DEvENs, JR.
used as a candidate against his own Judgment,
for if he had received timely notice of the pur-
pose to use his name, he would "have taken
immediate measures to prevent it," He finds
his present position more congenial than any
other, but he yields SO far to persuasion as to
say he will 'leave the whole matter to the de-
cison of the people" He might have won
reputation and position by following his own
judgment, refusing to endorse that party, and
saying nobly, like Gen. Corcoran, that he
would not be candidate for any civil office
while the war lasts. By taking a different
course he loses much while those who use
him gain nothing.
BY allowing himself to be used as the spec.
pies" democratic candidate for governor he
becomes responsible for the spirit and purpose
of the partizan movement that began its worl
Faneuil Hall and finished it next day in thu
democratic slate convention. He makes him
self leader of the crusade to defeat Gov
Andrew, to whom Gen. Devens himself
as wen as the state aud the whole coun
try, is so largely indebted and he openly
Joins those who are organizing in Massachu
sets malignant opposition to the war polio,
of the president. The people will judge him
by the party he has joined, by the princpea
and purposes to which the leaders Of that par
~ are devoted; and their vote will leave him
free to keep the position he prefers General
james Whitney, John G. Tucker, the editor
Of the Boston Post, and the editor Of the Bos
ton Courier, will vote for him and praise him
They will claim and use him as their fellow
worker in partisan and rebel-aiding politics