Crawfordville [Ga.], March 9th, 1860.
Dear Sir[i]: You will, I suppose, be in the convention at Milledgeville on the 14th inst, and I therefore address these lines to you there. The subject relates particularly to myself, but I trust you will under the circumstances excuse the obtrusion.
From the allusions to my name in the newspapers in connection with the probable action of that body I feel warranted and justified in authorising you as a friend to make known generally to your fellow members what you and all others who have conferred with me either directly or indirectly about the matter already know, that so far from wishing to be the cause of any embarrassment in their deliberations, I do not wish my name connected with the Presidency in any way. This is certainly no time for the people of the South to be weakening their strength by divisions and struggles to promote or advance the aspirations of particular favorites to the office of Chief Magistrate of the Union. It is eminently a time for harmony among the friends of the Constitution every where, South as well as North. So far as I am individually concerned, I wish it distinctly known that I have no aspirations for that high office—none whatever and whatever comment it may subject me to by those who do not know me, I assure you I would not of my own free choice assume its great trusts, if nothing were necessary to enable me to do so but my bare volition. Its duties, cares, anxieties and heavy responsibilities would, with me, far outweight all fancied honors that may be supposed to attend it.
It is well perhaps for the country that we have quite a number of able and true men who look upon it differently and who have a taste and inclination for the position. By all means let some such one, who can unite the greatest strength in the coming contest be selected as the standard bearer of our cause. Let there be no useless and mischievous wranglings for individual favorites, either at Milledgeville or at Charleston, and all may be well. The only interest I feel in the question is that which all good citizens should feel who desire from the Government nothing but a wise, safe, sound and vigorous administration upon such principles as will secure the rights of all, and the peace, quiet, happiness and prosperity of our common country. In no event do I desire my name connected with it in any way.
You can do with this letter as you think best to accomplish my wishes. If need be, you may read it to the convention.
[i] From the Constitutionalist, Augusta, Ga., Apr. 10, 1860. Dr. Casey was a delegate from Columbia County to the Georgia Democratic Convention then about to assemble at Milledgeville.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Alexander H. Stephens would later become Vice President of the Confederated States of America.