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PAPERS 01'' l\lIR.t\BE.\U BUONAPARTE LA;\lAR
"A young disease that must subdue at length." 'rhe fact will not escape my fellow-citizens, that my name was an- nounced to the public, whilst there was yet a vacancy in the Troup Ticket. I did not come out subsequently to its completion, but prior to it. 'rhe State had become entitled to nine representatives in Con- gress-eight candidates had been selected by the Caucus, and the ap- pearance of my name made the ninth. I do not say that the matter ought to have rested here; but most certainly if there bad been no further nomination, there would have been no supernumerary candi- date on the Troup side of the question. But the committee of seven, appointed by the Caucus, to manage all these matters to their own liking, was not satisfied with my coming forward, and accordingly brought into the field a candidate of their o,wn. This was the reason of there being at this time ten Troup men before the public. I make the statement, because an impression has gone abroad, that it was I, who had come out after there was a full Troup ticket. I did no such thing. ~ut I cast no censure upon the committee for preferring any other person. to myself, or for placing any one in nomination at the time they did, for this they had as perfect a right to do, as any other seven gentlemen; but if there ·be any blame for having a supernu- merary candidate, I can only say, that I had no agency in bringing him ciut. • I brought forward no one but myself, and that at a time when the ticket of my party was not yet filled. Believing that I might not be unacceptable to the party, whose interests I had so long and steadily consulted, (consulted too from no motives of interest. for I have neither sought nor received favor from their hands,) my services were tendered to their acceptance, as well as to the public at large. Some time had elapsed, and I saw no evidence of disapprobation on the part of the people but on the contrary, had strong reasons to be- lieve that there was a willingness not only with my own party, but also with a number of my political opponents, to see me as their repre- sentative on the floor of Congress. I saw no reason to withdraw- before the committee acted, and can see none now. If the people prefer each and all the Caucus nominees to me, it is their right to choose, and not mine to complain. At the time that my name was announed I was not aware that I was trespassing upon the rights of others, or was assuming any that were not fairly my own. It was my impression, that any individual, who might choose to exercise it, had the privilege of tendering himself to the public, and that it was with the people to accept or reject the proffered services. I see nothing in this, incon- sistent with the republican doctrine; and I have yet to learn, that it is not in accordance with tlie spirit of this people. But it appears now that in presenting myself to the public, I have sinned beyond redemp- tion against the dignity of the late Caucus and the adopted heir of its power. It is said, if not by themselves, at least by the advocates of their authority, that though the privilege was mine I ought not to exercise it without permission to do so from the Caucus or Committee of se·uen. I :b.ave had compliments paid to my .fidelity and patriotism; but what are these, without the smiles of the Caucus or the Committee of seven-Who shall aspire without the consent of the Caucus or Com- mittee of seven! Have I not forfeited all character for not worshiping
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