: LETTER OF JUDGE MEAN.

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LETTER OF JUDGE MILAN, 10 the Editor ot the Hamilton (0.) Intel. Washington, 27h .March, 1884. DEAR sIR-i have just received your ielter o' the i7fh inst. in which YOU inform ne that at late public meeting in Hafnil- lon, - number of letters were read 10 the 1 meeflns- C. stating. in effect. that l had ex- pressed determination not to be d candid ale m opposition to Mir. Van Bneu, and 'hat 'her impression was great; and you request me to say whether 1 intend to be- come a candidate forthe presidency regard- less of the decision of a national eonven- tion.''

 No individual has had the shadow of au- thouty for making tlie above statement.

 Whether shall become a candidate or not will depend entirely on the voluntary action of the people. The choice of their public servants. in my opinion, belongs to the people, and not to those who, from self ish views, may assume the responsibility of acting for them.

 am opposed to national caucus or con- yention now, as was in 1923, when an at tempt was made, through its influence, to elect President o. the U. States.

 A national convention IS contrary to the established usages of the democratic party. It has direct tendency to. place the whole political power of the country, in the hands of few individuals, and to deprive the peo- pie of full and fair expression of their will 1t will substitute, for the official organs, un- der the constitution and laws, a cabal which will control, through a corrupt influence, the whole action and policy of the Govern ment.

 Under such system the people will be kept m state of excitement, the moral force of our institutions will be eventually destroyed, and the ruin of our government must soon follow.

 To keep the election of President out of the House of Representatives, I have ai- ways been in favor of so altering the con s'ituton as to send the election 3 second time to the people. if there should be fail- ufe to elect OH the first attempt. Under no 1 circumstances will I consent to be the in- strument of defeating the election of Presi- dent by the people.

 Believing, as l do, that our government can only be sustained i'll ifs purity and vigor by keeping the elective franchise near the people, and out of the hands of political managers, my course, in regard to the fi- ture' Will Tn no degree be influenced by the contemplated national convention.

 in accordance with the usages of the democratic party, state conventions, under certain circumstances, arc not only proper, but necessary. But the only legitimate ob- Ject Of such convention, is to oscsrtoi,, pubic sentiment, and not to mdnutacti;re it. its members should be chosen by the peo- pte, and to the convention should be borne and expressed the knoien wishes of tic people.

 With respect, your ob't. servant. JOHN MCLEAN.