Year: 1860

Dee, 10, 1853


MEssRs PETTIGREw AND BoUpiNoT u
have received during the summer and fall,
numerous letters from gentlemen, in vari-
Gus parts Of the First DisSict, expressive
OF their preference for myself as Il candi-
date Tor Congress at the ensuing election,
and requesting the to submit my name to
the Dover Convention, for the nomination.
These tiattcriny propositions, | have inva-
riably declined and | am called upon. to
publicly, repeat my declarations, in conse-
qnence of similar invitations having been
given through the colums of the newopaper
press.


No one, more than myself, could be SEN
siblc OF the high honor which my friends
do me, In thus presenting my name to the
people OF this District, for the most dis
tinGuished and important trust. which they
can confer; nor appreciate more fully, this
evidence, however mistaken they may be
in their kind partIality, as manifested by
their letters and the newspaper communi-
cations referred to. Their proposition to
confer upon me, this distinguished honor,
entite them to my warmest gratitude and
this public demonstration, were | anbi-
tious of political honors, at no hands, would
be more rel DICED to receive them than
from my old and true friends of Arkansas ::
and especially of the First Congressional
District the native soil of my children and
so long my residence. No people would
sooner serve-no people, whose interest do
Imorc earnestly wish anN pray for, than
my old and constant friends. But it is no,
within my power to crafty this wish so
near my heart-it is my fortune to be called
to another career.


Among the numerous highly qualified
gentleman in this District, they will have
no difficulty in making a selection for the
post in question !; anl one, too, that will
rebound more to their interest and honor
That they will be governed, in making that
selection, by the highest principles of pa
triotism and fidelity to the Democratic par
ty, have no doubt. That, they will keep
in view, the integrity and success of the
true Democracy, | have not the least appre-
hension, and that desirable end will, feel
confident be the result of their action.


The Democratic party has a high mis-
sion to perform. Upon its action and sue
cess depend the rights Of the people and
the States guaranteed by the Constitution
that glorious production Of the wisdom and
patriotism OF brave ancestry; and which
has been transmitted to US in rast, only,
for a common postcrity. That Constitu-
ton was formed by our fathers to secure to
us our rights as people and the rights of
the States; and they gave to us an Union
for strength and ability to maintain these
rights. Every instinct of patriotism should
prompt us to sustain that Union so long as
it answers its purposes in maintaining the
rights of the States. We should guard
with jealous ,watchfulness every act or
proposition to weaken the bond under the
Constitution and it is 40 less our duty to
watch and contend against every encroach-
ment upon the rights of the States. We
are bound by our obligations to maintain
the one as much as the other. The Consti-
tuition and the rights which are guaranteed
under it, are the heir loom of posterity; and
it is our duty to transmit that inleritence,
uninpaired whole and entire rs it was
handed down TO lis by our fathers. AS
true Democrats we are bound to maintain
the Union for the sake of the rights of the
States, but when it ceases to give protection
to the latter, it is no longer tie Union Gre
ated by our revolutionary ancestors we
must however, maintain the constitutional
rights of the States at all hazards. The
Democratic party is at this time, engaged
in fearful contest with the enemies of the
Constitution. A powerful party is organ,
lied upon the principles of consolidation !;
its aim is the destruction of the rights of
the States and it is the patriotic duty of
every good citizeR in every part of the re-
public, to use unselfish exertions to defeat
the reasonable aims of that party.


hope my old friends will pardon these
remarks, which may appear prevalent to
the subject Of this letter my apology is
the deep interest which feel in the impor-
tsnt issue now before the country.


With greatful rememberance for the
many favors which have received from my
fellow citizens; and full appreciation and