Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-09-02

| We took occasion several days since to
recommend Colouel ROBERT H. CowAN
for United States Senator, not only as our
individual choice. but as that of the peo-
pie of this section OF the State. His
abilities, his character, his earnest labors
on the hastings and elsewhere, in behalf
of our cause, his great popularity with all
classes of people, pointed him out as the
proper man for the distinguished position
for which we recommended him. -
In reply he has written us the following
letter, declining the use of his name in
this connection. The reasons which he
assigns do credit to him, and are in perfect
keeping with the patriotic and unselfish
course which has characterized him as @
public man. His firm determination not
| to permit his namo to embarrass the ao-
or to jeopardize the fruits of the Conser-
vative success, does him honor which will
not detract from the credit due to his emf
ment abilities and services, or the public
appreciation of them:
ALLEGHANY SPRINGS. Aug. %, 1870
| NesSrs. EngeZbGrd d; Price, Wilmington, ". G.:
GENTLEMEN II have just received your paper
of the 10Th inst, and have read the article
headed Omitted States Senator,' in which you
do the honor to suggest my name to the
General Assembly es a candidate for that po-
sition.
thank you, with all my heart, for the high
compliment you have paid me; and truly feel
that an election to the United States Senate, by
the frat Conservative Legislature which has as
sembled in North Carolina since the passage of
the reconstruction acts, is an honor which ought
to satisfy the highest ambition. But my views
of the duties which degolve upon US all, il the
present condition OF North Carolina, viii not
permit me to coneent to come before that bcdy
as candidate for this, or any other office.
The members of the next General Assembly
will have herculean task to perform. At tho
very best, the full discharge of their duties will
be surrounded with difficulties and dlisagreeable
| embarrassments. I not willing to add to
| their embarrassments, or to place the slightest
| obstacle in the way OF the speedy and successful
performance of their duties. I feel that this is
no time to press individual claims or to attempt
to indulge personal partiahties. Preferences of
all kinds should be yelled freely 10 considera-
| tons for the public good. Let the General As
sembly act firmly and promptly for the honor
and the interests Of the State, and those of US
who have labored earnestly for the success of
our party, in the late election, will have sbund.
ant cause for satisfaction and thankfulness.
| There is still another consideration which, of
| itself, would be conclusive with me. In nay jIdg-
mont the General Assembly ought not to elect
| any one to the Senate who is laboriog under po-
tical disabilities, unless it can be rendered alb
Solutety certain that those disabilities will be re-
moved by Congress. The risk is great one
| and it is which state cannot afford to
| take. 1t may be that tbs Senate will follow the
precedent set by the Houee of Representatives in
the cases Of the contested elections from Louis
lana and South Carolina and, instead of remov-
ing the disabilities of Senator elect will give
the seat to the candidate who received the next
highest number of votes. In such event, and
it is not an improbable one, the Conservative
party would have thrown away an important part
of the fruits of their victory and North Carolina
would be misrepresented for six years longer on
the floor of the United States Senate.
confess that am unable to see how this aG-
Solute certainty of the action of Congress can be
reached in any case, and am confident that ii
cannot possibly exist in my case. I know not
what "good grounds " yor may have for saying
'that my disabilities would be removed in the
event of my election - but 1 feel very sure that
you are mistaken. On the contrary, while know