The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-17
Imnortant Correspondence.

The following correspondence between
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens and General Harry
White, one of the Pennsylvania State Sena-
tors, will be found especially interesting at
the present moment:
LETTER FROM STATE SENATOR WHITE.
-'' SENATE CHAMBER,
HARRISBURG, Pa January 3, 1867.
Hon. Thaddeus &egens::
Ny DEAR SIR: Your extended experience,
your wise, earnest, decided views, your emil
nent public services have endeared you to
the earnest-hearted Republicans of Pennsyl-
vania, and you will be supported by many
of them in the impending contest for United
States Senator. While it is believed this
support and your election will be acceptable
to you, youraversion to mingling personally in
the contest is also we'll known. Allow ME,
however, at the instance of many of your
friends here, and in view of the vital interest
involved in this contest, to request you to
forego your Discrimination to interfere person.
ally in this matter, and to visit Harrisburg
the early part of the ensuing week to consult
with your friends and the friends of Repub-
lican principles.
Very truly yours, in behalf of many friends,
HENRY WHITE.
MIR. STEVENS REPLY.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, D. c., January 5, 1867.
Hon. Harry White:
SIR: 1 received yours of the Sd, sugg St
ing to me the wish of several friends that 1
would visit Harrisburg in the beginning of
next week. This, you do not hesitate to
say, is in connection with the pending cleo
ton of United States Senator My name has
been mentioned among the candidates, and
my friends think that my presence may i'm
prove my chances by removing some false
impressions When I allowed my name to
he used it was with the express understand
ing that l should in no way canvass for the
place. | have an abiding aversion to cleo
tioneerinc for any office; but to solicit votes
for the office of United States Senator is re-
pugnant to all my ideas of propriety. 1t
seems to me that fo- that high office the Le-
gislature ought to be left wholly uninfiuen-
ced by solicitation or any more substantial
arguments, to select whomsoever they might
deem best qualified for the office. 1 have
thought that they were competent to survey
the State and select the man who would do it
most honor without prompting. But there
are peculiar reasons operating i'll Pennsylva-
MIA still more powerful. 1t cannot be deni-
ed. and therefore need not be concealed, that
for the last ten or fifteen years the Legisla-
ture of Pennsylvania has had a most unenvi-
able reputation. Corruption, bribery. and
fraud have been freely charged. and, fear,
too often proved to have controlled their ac-
tiOns. No matter how honest when chosen
the atmosphere of Harrisburg seems to have
pierced many of them with demoralizing
faint. A seat in the Legislature became an
object of ambition, rot for the per diem, but
for the chance of levyirg contributions from
rich corporations and other large jobs. Cor
ruption finally became so respectable as to
seduce candidates for office boldly to bid for
them, and to pay the cash for the delivery
of the ballot. The very Office of Senator is
known to have been once bought with gold.
and to have been trafficked for on other me-
morabe occasions in exchange for the pre-
cious metals Indeed, it has become proven
bal that the longest purse is sure to win. So
sure is this that men once or more detected
in such shameful practices do not hesitate
to appear before the public and ask leave to
practice the same game.
How can any man, who has any character
to lose, consent to enter into such COMPETE
ton
Fortunately for the country the present Lee
gislature is above suspicion. Those who
were in former Legislatures and were tainted |
have been left at home. and pure men sent
in their places So far rs my knowledge of
their regulations extends, no man can be |
found around whom there hangs any dis |
trust. Why, then. should l visit you, as if |
to attempt to influence such independent !
and pure men Besides, it might be iniurl- |
Gus to members. 1t any who had been |
known to be elected expressly against me |
should change sides, the inference would be
irresistible that they had yielded to illegiti-
mate arguments. When the election was
over Il certain number were supposed to be
expected to vote fer various candidates Il
they were to be found going for me against
heir declared avcrsions, nothing could save
hem from the charge of purchase and sale
but the known meagreness of my purse 1
would not subject any friend to this imputa-
ion For these and other reasons have
come to the conclusion that had better not
visit Harrisburg Us you request.
Very respectfully,
THADDEUS STEVENS.
P. S.-Since writing the above, certain
acts have come to my knowledge which
nav make me reconsider my determination.
# so, 1 Will be there on Tuesday. rs.
The Colored People.