Year: 1872




New Orleans, June -, 1872.


DEAR SIR-In returning thanks to the
convention over which you preside for the
distinguished compliment extended to me
in the unanimous presentation of my name
for reelection to the Office Of Governor,
justice to you, no less than to myself re-
quires that l should frankly state the rea-
sons which force me to decline the honor
thus rendered. Whilst l value highly the
confidence Of any portion of the pu bile,
can not conceal from myself that the con-
vention is abeut to assume an attitude en-
tirely inconsistent with the views of State
and national policy which had already ex-
pressed; and with the course which had
determined to pursue, could not become
its candidate without doing violence to my
dearest convictions, and sacrificing a prin-
ciple for which, in common with yourself, I
have so earnestly eontended during the last
year.


1t now appears to be the intention of the
majority of the members of the conven-
tion, on its reassembling at Baton Rouge,
to attempt an alliance with the Custom
house party, which is to meet at that place
on the same day, for the purpose of reunit-
ing with those whom l consider the most
dangerous enemies of the country and the
State, with the arrogant, dictatorial and
corrupt administration of General Grant
and with the party which, under the lead
ership of his followers and agents, would
subject the State to a continuance of rule
of ignorance, venality and corruption un-
paralleled in the history of any other COM
munity. The success of General Grant at
the ensuing Presidential election would be
a calamity such as can not be contemp plated
without alarm. 1t would be the perpetua-
ton, perhaps the permanent establishment
of personal government in its worst form.
1t would be the commencement of impe-
rialism in politics, and the utter and hope
less degradation Of political morality. 1t
would be the continuance of an odiOus ex-
ecutive and legislative tyranny which
tramples with equal indifference upon the
rights of persons and of commu mites;
which Overturns all the muniments of pub
Lie liberty, and drags thousands of peace
able citizens to the common Jail on a false
pretense of secret conspiracy; which uses
the bayonets of its sOldiery to overawe a
convention Of the people, and prostitutes
the courts of the country and the officers of
the law to the service of an audaeious
attempt to overthrow the government of a
State.


1t was in order to avert these evils and to
join in the general protest against these in
famous acts, as well as to save this State
from the further depredations of the ring of
federal officials who have persisten tly used
their personal and political power to suborn
and corrupt the Legislature, that went to
Cincinnati and participated in the nomi-
nation of Greeley and Brown. 1t is with
the view of assisting to prevent the tri-
umph in this State of party whose sue
cess would fill the Legislature with the
of organized ignorance and
unblushing venality, would cause rrepara-
bic injury to our commerce, would ire
ruin our credit, and bring con-
tempt and scorn upon even the beneficial
results of Republican policy, anDupOn the
whole scheme Of Republican reconstruc-
ton, that have resolved to. devote all my !
to the service of the Liberal Re
publican party and the allies who may act /
with it in this contest.


/ believe that the country can be saved |
from Grantism with its attendant tyranny
and corruption, and believe that the State
can be rescued from the nameless evils |
which the triumph of the Grant-Custom- |
house party would infict upon it. 1 be-
ieve that thorough uniOn of the parties
and portions of parties which have this OBJ
eet in view, will suffice to accomplish that
md, and 1 think you know me too well to
suppose that any purposes Of personal ad-
vantage or any allurements of ambition
,ould swerve me from my purpose to Op-
pose with all the vigOr Of my nature the
party with which, unfortunately, you are
lbout to ally yourself, and to support with
.qual zeal and determination the party
which alone, in my Judgment, can save the
State from desolatiOn and ruin.


I again thank the convention for the
lonor conferred upon me, and trust you
viii communicate to them the regrets which
fell in finding myself compelled to separ-
tie from the friends wLo have SO long and
o faithfully supported me.


Very respectfully your obedient servant,


H. C. WARM 9TH.
o Hon. H. J. Campbell, President Republican State


Convention.