Year: 1862

the Convention held at Syracuse on the Oath
OF that month, composed of men resolved to maintain
the integrity of the Union, irrespective of their pre-
vious party associations, had done me the honor of
placing my before the electors of the State Of
New York for the office of Governor.


respectfully accept the nomination.


cordially agree with the Convention in the
tmens expressed in their resolutions aAd if elected
shall zeaously labor to carry out their wishes as
therein defined


might, perhaps with propriety stop here, but as
the duties of my present position will not allow me
to return to New York for some time and possibly
not until utter the election has BEEN held, ask your
indulgence while l express briefly my views as to
the questions involved in the canvass.


think l cannot be mistaken in assuming that the
election will turn opon the necessity of sutaining
our National Government in its effort to uphold it.
self and maintain its territorial integrity, and es.
peclaly upon the Proclamation of the President,
issued to that end and referred to in fourth resou
ton of the Convention.


entirely approve of that proclamation and COM
mend 1t to the support ofthe electors of New York
for the following reasons:


l. 1t is an effectual aid to the speedy and COM
plete suppression of the rebellion.


Six or eight millions of whites. having had time to
organize their government, and arm their troops.
fed and supported by the labor of four millions of
slaves present the orminabe rebellion recorded
in history.


Strike from this rebellion the support which it de.
FiVes from the unrequited toll Of these slaves and its
foundation will be undermined.


= II Is the most human method of putting down
rebellion, the history o. which has clearly proved
that the fears of slave instructions and massacres
ae entirely unfoundcd While the slaves earnestly
desire freedom, they have shown no disposition to
injurc their masters. They will cease to work for
them without wages, but they will form, Throughout,
the Southern States. the most peaceful and docie
peasantry on the face of the earth.


The slave-owners once compelled to labor for
their own support, the war must cease, and its sp
Palling carnage como to an end.
3. The emancipation once effected, the Northern
Stated would be forever relieved, as il is right thew
should be- Of the fears of great influx of African
laborsrs, disturbing the relations of those Northern
Industrial classes who kave freely given their
lives to the support of the Government


This done, and the whole African population
will drift to the South, where it Will find con.
genial climate and vast tracts Of land never vet
cultivated.


forbear to enter into the discussion of the great
increase of trade to the Northern States and the
whole commercial world, which would result from
the wants of four millions of free and paid labor
ers over the same number held as heretofore in
Slavery.


forber also to enter into tho question of the ulti
mate vast increase in the production Of the great
Southern staples. This is not a time to consider
questions of profit. 1t will long be remembered, to
the great honor of merchant, bankers and manufao.
Jurors of the North that giving the lie to the calum
nies of slave-breedng aristocrats who charge them
with being degraded and controlled by tile petty
profits of traffic, they haVo met the numerous sacri
fees of this great struggle with cheerfuness and
PromPtness of which history furnishes no parallel.


Nos is the question now before US one of philan-
thropy alone, sacred as the principles therein in
voved; nor is it question of abstract IDEAS nvolv.
ing an Improbable discussion of the equality of
races. 1t is simply question of war, of National


life or death, and Of the mode in which we can most
surely and efectuuy uphold our Government and
| ""i"I@" It's uiity anu supremacy


Our foreign enemies, for it is not TO be disguised
that We have such, reproach us with wuging ter
ritorial war. So VIC do, but that territory is our
country. For maintaining its greatnes and power
among the nations Of the earth. by holding it togeth
or, they hate We can bear that; but if we were
to yield to their suggestions, and submit to its dis
memberment, they would forever dispisc us.
This great domain, from the Lakes to tho Gulf
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, one country gov
erned by one Observation-Disclosures yet destined to die
tate terms, if need be, to the would in arms; and
hold that man to be traitor and coward who
under any defeats, any pressure of adversely how
ever great, any calamities however dire would give
| up one acre of IT.


1t is more than year since l lef our State.
Great changes have taken place within that period
Costly victories and disastrous defeats have, in the
vcisitudes of war, befallen arms. BcreavOments
and destitution have overtaken many families.


can only judge of the spirit of my fellow citizens
of New York, by that of her gallant sons who have
rushed to the field. These have seeu in great
numbers, and particularly those who have been in
the hospitals within my command.


Among these brave men, feeble and exhausted
by disease tortured and mutilated by cruel wounds.


have never yet heard the first word of despair, the
first sigh of regret that they had given health and
life to their country.


If we may judge of the spirit Of those they have
lefl at home. and who may yet bo called to the field
by the heroic temper of these men, we have nothing
to fear as to the result.


In the solemn verdict of the ballot and the deadly
conflict Of battle, this Government of the people will
be sustained


l beg that you will accept for yourself, and con.
Tcy to the men bers of the Convention. over which
you presided. my SINGER thanks for the great honor
which they did rne in placing my name before tho
Electors of New York, for position so responsible
and distinguished rs that Of Governor Of the State


Ism Sir, with great respect, truly your.
Y JAMEs s. WADawoRTs,