Correspondence Between Hon. Hamilton Fish, U. S. Senator From New York, and Hon. James A. Hamilton, Son of Alexander Hamilton - Letter of Hon. Hamilton Fish #226220

But our old, honored Whig party is temporarily disorganized, and presents no distinctive candidates for our support. We must either abstain from voting, or make selection from among the candidates presented by other organizations, to neither of which may we be able to yield entire, cordial concurrence. To abstain from voting, or, (what is equivalent) to vote for persons not generally recognized as candidates, is an abandonment of a high duty. The elective fran chise, which many are apt to consider only the privilege of the citizen, is a trust, from the considerate discharge of which he cannot relieve himself without a violation of duty to his principles and his country.