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Domestic News
September 14, 1864
The Cadiz Sentinel
Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Ex-President Franklin Pierce writes to delegate R. T. Spofford declining any interest in the Democratic nomination at the 1864 Chicago Convention and urging party unity for a free election without military interference.
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The Chicago Convention--Letter from Ex-President Pierce.
From the Chicago Times.
The following is the letter from ex-President Pierce, brought to the notice of the convention yesterday, as expressive of the wishes of that distinguished gentleman, by R. T. Spofford, a delegate from Massachusetts:
Concord, N. H., August 17. 1864.
My Dear Spofford:--I received your note on Saturday evening; but do not see how, consistently with your convenience or my own, we can meet again before you leave for Chicago. Nor indeed, is there any special occasion for it. You know my views, and I rely upon your friendship. What I wish to have done will be no task. It will be easy to check any word that may by possibility be said about me in connection with the nomination. The New Hampshire delegation will take no steps from first to last which favor or give sanction to my being a candidate. At all events, you must understand from what I have more than once said to you, how painful it would be to me to have my wishes in this relation disregarded by my friends in any part of the country.
Who ever may be nominated will, I have no doubt, in obedience to what will be the voice of the Convention declare in the name of the Democracy of the United States, that the approaching election shall be a free election. an election conducted in obedience to the laws of the land, not with military presence to overawe the unarmed citizens. And that if in any sovereign State recognizing the authority of the Federal Government, military usurpation shall come to suppress the people in the exercise of their rights under the constitution and enacted laws. will meet that military usurpation with all the power we can command.
But if your Convention will act cordially and in harmony, there need be no apprehension that bayonets will attempt to control the judgment of the voters. No audacity in defiance of the Constitution will dare to confront with arms the united Democracy of the southwestern, middle. northwestern and eastern States. No man. defying the Constitution which he has sworn to uphold and obey, can bring the army to support open rebellion against a fair and free vote. They will hold that we are a free people yet,--let us be thankful for that,--a free people living under a written constitution, which binds the highest official no less firmly than the humblest citizen of the Republic. Of this, I think, you may be sure.
The critical-the vital thing, will be united action on your part, and that such may be the result is my most earnest wish.
Always your friend,
[SIGNED]
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
From the Chicago Times.
The following is the letter from ex-President Pierce, brought to the notice of the convention yesterday, as expressive of the wishes of that distinguished gentleman, by R. T. Spofford, a delegate from Massachusetts:
Concord, N. H., August 17. 1864.
My Dear Spofford:--I received your note on Saturday evening; but do not see how, consistently with your convenience or my own, we can meet again before you leave for Chicago. Nor indeed, is there any special occasion for it. You know my views, and I rely upon your friendship. What I wish to have done will be no task. It will be easy to check any word that may by possibility be said about me in connection with the nomination. The New Hampshire delegation will take no steps from first to last which favor or give sanction to my being a candidate. At all events, you must understand from what I have more than once said to you, how painful it would be to me to have my wishes in this relation disregarded by my friends in any part of the country.
Who ever may be nominated will, I have no doubt, in obedience to what will be the voice of the Convention declare in the name of the Democracy of the United States, that the approaching election shall be a free election. an election conducted in obedience to the laws of the land, not with military presence to overawe the unarmed citizens. And that if in any sovereign State recognizing the authority of the Federal Government, military usurpation shall come to suppress the people in the exercise of their rights under the constitution and enacted laws. will meet that military usurpation with all the power we can command.
But if your Convention will act cordially and in harmony, there need be no apprehension that bayonets will attempt to control the judgment of the voters. No audacity in defiance of the Constitution will dare to confront with arms the united Democracy of the southwestern, middle. northwestern and eastern States. No man. defying the Constitution which he has sworn to uphold and obey, can bring the army to support open rebellion against a fair and free vote. They will hold that we are a free people yet,--let us be thankful for that,--a free people living under a written constitution, which binds the highest official no less firmly than the humblest citizen of the Republic. Of this, I think, you may be sure.
The critical-the vital thing, will be united action on your part, and that such may be the result is my most earnest wish.
Always your friend,
[SIGNED]
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Chicago Convention
Franklin Pierce
Democratic Nomination
1864 Election
Political Unity
What entities or persons were involved?
Franklin Pierce
R. T. Spofford
Where did it happen?
Chicago
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Chicago
Event Date
August 17, 1864
Key Persons
Franklin Pierce
R. T. Spofford
Outcome
pierce declines nomination interest and urges democratic unity for a free 1864 election without military interference.
Event Details
Ex-President Pierce's letter to delegate Spofford expresses his desire to avoid nomination at the Chicago Democratic Convention, relies on friends to prevent it, and calls for party harmony to ensure a constitutional election free from military overreach.