Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-13
From the Raleigh Sentinel.
Gov IaHPe's Letter.

The letter OF Gov. Vance to the State
Executive Committee, declining the nOmi
nation for Governor, will be found below.
Its first announcement Will send thrill OF
regret to the Iearts of the Conservatives
throughout the State, and Will be hailed
with rejoicing by the Radicals. But their
Joy will be of short duration. We know,
personally, that Gov. Vance, long in ad
vance Of his nomination, earnestly begged
that he should not be urged for any posi-
ton on the ticket. Having settled himself
for the prosecution of his profession, he
has been anxious. both from necessity and
inclination, to avoid all temptations or III
ducements to Office for years to come, hop
ing, by industry and energy, to provide for
the future. Other very strong personal
reasons influenced him. Hence, although
his noble and generous nature subsequently
made him willing, for the moment to sac
ritice anything to the wishes of his friends,
yet mature reflection and consultation led
him to the determination, which the peo-
pie of the State will regret, but the neces-
sity for which none deplore SO much as
himself. Moreover, he feels that the pub
lie eXigency renders 1t necessary that all
merely personal sources of irritation and
violent feeling should be removed from the
canvass, and that the entire white people
VI GllS ottbtO GtlouAu StH4u110 W. b1OuSHU "
the consideration only of the great and alb
sorbing issue of the contest, viz : the re-
lection of an odious Constitution, which is
attempted to be forced upon the white
people of this State without their consent
a Constitution which ignores the claims of
the white people of the State, and is made
for the special benefit Of the blacks and of
the Radical party.
The Executive Committee will meet on
the 18th to supply the vacancy on the
ticket. Our friends throughout the State
are assured that the Committee will make
such an appointment as will be entirely sat
isfactOry to the Conservatives, and will en-
sure success
CHARLOTTE, n. G., March G, 1865
Il. {. Badger, Esq, Secretary COn8erUatjce EGec-
utioe Committee, KGteigA, n. C.:
Ny DEAR SIR :-Your letter informing me Of my
unanimous nomination for the Office Of Governor
of North Carolina, by TIE Executive Committee of
the Conservative party, not received until nv
return on yesterday from Cleveland court. l an
swer at the earliest POSSIBLE moment.
l am confident that no higher compliment has
been, or we'll can be, paid ME, than this request
so unanimously made, for 1ue to bear the banner
of the free white mon Of my native State in this
great eYontful struggle for the rights and liber-
ties of our race, FOR constitutional government
and for Christian civilization. As l ask no other
fate than theirs, could desire greater honor
than to lead them, whether tho pathway Of our
destiny should point to speedy and happy tri-
umph or, in the good providence of God still fur
ther into the valley OF humiliation and suffering
But, after mature reflection, feel compelled, both
by public and private considerations, reluc-
family to decline the nomination.
l trust, therefore, that.the Executive Committee
will promptly select another of the many very
worthy sons Of North Carolina to bear her banner
and uphold her fortunes, and promise him my
most hearty and Jealous support.
Congratulating the Committee and the State
upon the many evidences which are 10 De seen
everywhere, of a great uprising of Our people, SO
| surely indicative Of approaching victory, and urg-
ing every man to lis duty, as l shall endeavor 10
do mine, and thanking both the Executive Com
mittee and yourself, we'll for the high honor
done me for the manner in which knowledge
of it was conveyed to me, am,
My dear sir, most truly yours.
ZEBULON B. VANCE.