Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-09-23
FROM COL. PHILIPS.

hoped to be permitted to keep out of
public print and undue notice for the re-
mainder OF this campaign. l thought it
were enough for the qualification OF all
that l should be retired in the manner l
was, from the contest for congress and
that no one would be so ill-tempered or
unmanly as to goad me to selt-detence.
But so much is being published and
spoken in respect to my attitude IN the
pending congressional contest, that an
imperiOus sense of duty compels me to
break the coveted silence.
l do not propose to discuss the history
of the recent convention, further than
to say that | have never complained of
its final result, as | have OF the con-
duct OF individuals who brought about
that result. And while l cannot APP
prove of the means and methods en-
ployed TO accomplish my deleat-never-
theiess, with a spirit of selfabnegating
devotion to my party, l bow my head to
the action of the convention and accept
its results.
l withdrew my name from its consid-
GRAFTON, as it was my unquestioned right
to do.
This was done in no spirit of disor-
%ganization or unmanly petulance. l did
it because l was unwilling, by submit
ting to a final ballot, to express to the
country my acquiescence in the apparent
Legitimacy OF the combination against
me, or to encourage it rs a democratic
propriety OF usage. When | withdrew
l left the convention intact, to finish its
work on its own Judgment and or its
own responsibility. My friends were
left free to act as might to them seem
wisest and best. Their action was with
out consultation with me.
If acrimony and discomfort have
sprung from the action of the conven-
ton, they are neither of my creation nor
promotion.
Rather are they the natural results of
a convention SO conducted and 0 n
trolled.
My efforts have been, as those most
intimate with me will attest. and my
design now is to allay these excitements
and pour oil on the troubled waters.
Friends and foes alike would most
oblige me, and. in my humble judg-
ment, best serve the cause of the party.
and ooner restore its morale by ceasing
to discuss the work Of the convention.
While the warm espousal of devotion
of my friends touch my heart, let me
say to them that IN political life the sue
cess OF downfall of any II man is OF
little moment compared to the triumph
or overthrow of those great principles
which give life to our party and impart
the blessings of good government.
The wounds of personal injustice OF
the disappointments of ambition are
sooner healed than the breaches in party
organization. Therefore, it is the better
philosophy and truer patriotism to bottle
u wrath and smother our resentments,
if we have any, and accept the declared
nominee of the convention. His past
fidelity to the public good is the best
guarantee of his future good services.
In accepting the result of the conven
ton w will not only illustrate u pa
triotlsm, but show to those whe have de-
spitefully used us that they have won no
victory over either our temper or our
self-respect.
To those newspapers and persons who
hold ME responsible for the action OF any
newspaper, and the undisguised salts
faction of some of my friends, allow MT
to say that l know of no newspaper
friendly to me-, o any friend that does
w hiih dCt, NiltC liz SpCoh III iloCii
and himself.
l am not responsible for either.
could only wish that they would heed
my advice in this conjecture.
would suggest to those who lay upon
me this responsibility that perhaps a
little deserved ~torbearance and consid,
crate care for their grievance would
sooner win them than harsh criticism OF
the party lash.
Some of these | know 10 be veterans,
covered with honorable scars received
in democratic warfare; and whilst these
ask no bounties, they feel that Il respect
full regard is due them. Time and kind
ness are great paclticators and restorers
; AS for myself, | not only recognize my
sense of obligation to the democratic
party, but my heart beats as Loyalty tC
it as to my own household. Those who
think to place me in an attitude of ever
seeming antagonism to its cause in thi!
district are lurlng a false hope. There
is not a personal ambition of my heart
nor II feeling of rebellion struggling
tor utterance against those who have
treated me as Joseph's brethren die
u him. that ] would not and do not teal
out of my breast and offer it here anl
now as a willing sacrifice upon the altal
: of the democratic party. Give it victory
i, and l will bear defeat rejoicing. Will
great respect. JNo. f. PHILIPS.