The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-10-21
For the Standard
CARD.

To Parker D. Robins, Alfred johnson, Jao.
Whittier. Joshua Fleming, Nathaniel Turner,
Eayten Taylor, Miles BALKAN, and others
Committee, de-:
read attentively your address to the Re-
publcans of the First Congressional DIS
trict, and was also present, as you are aware, ut
v ur meeting on the evening OF the Edenton
Convention. You will remember that Mt
that meeting told you l would take into
consideration your denomination OF myself
as your representative in Congress, and In
due time give you an answer. You may
rightly think that my answer has been de-
laycd to late day. But upon my arrival
at Washington, to attend the extra session
of Congress, was Frustrated with severe
fever, and I assure you that have returned
to North Carolina to attend to this business
at the very earliest possible day.
Some of you know will be disappointed
when tell you that after a full considera-
ton of the whole subject, have reached the
conclusion that it is not only my duty to de-
cline the denomination you tender with such
enthusiastic good will, but to urge you all,
as you love our righteous cause, to unite In
the support of Mr. Cobb. But, hear my
reasons and you will, think, agree with
me.
Not a man of you had any purpose OF
taking any action that should result In tue
election of the Seymour and Blair candidate.
Your idea was that You could elect your
candidate But let us see:
You have noticed in the STANDARD several
cards, signed by several of the men whom
YOU will remember in your meeting as
among the most persistent in their entreaties
for nv nomination, and clamor0us for an
Address to the voters of the District. and
over and over begged that their names might
he signed to the same Now they come out
with their Cards. and deny all this. You will
excuse me when say possibly there may be
more of these worthless fellows ready to cat
their own words, and betray you at any stage
of the canvass.
But the paramount reason for declining
your nomination, is the state of my health /;
it is absolutely impossible for me to take
any part in the canvass and accepting your
nomination without canvassing the District
might result in the election of the Seymour
and Blair candidate.
With every citizen of the District, share
in the universal respect for Judge Barnes.
ANY trust WOuitl Jc SaiC III MS hoCPiuS, II
he could be left to his own unbiased action.
But he is running as the candidate of the
Seymour and Blair party, and if elected will
be oblige to vote and act with that party.
That party bears upon its banners the in
famous letter of Blair to Brodhead-a letter
which declares for war for the entire country,
and the subjugation of the negro to a con-
dition little better than slavery.
With such an issue before US, there can he
no question as to our duty. Any man run
ming on the Seymour and Blair platform,
must be defeated at all hazards
There is no question of Mr.. Cobb's Repub-
licanism. If elected he will vote and act
with the Republican party. Let me urge
you, men and brethren, to give him your
united and earnest support. We will forget
matters of less moment. and all unite in the
discharge of this paramount duty. There
are many things that would say to you,
good friends, but am sick, and it has been
an effort with me to write even thus much.
Never did the American people hold more
important election than the one that is just
at hand. Let us quit ourselves like men.
Your friend and fellow-Republican,
JOHN r. FRENCH.
Raleigh, October H.