Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-21

hWdefhooH august Sd, 1851
Gentlemen:-I have had the honor TO receive
your communication, advising me OF my nomina.
uon' by the Convention recsgtly assembled at Bal
timore, as a candidate for the Office of Vice Pre-
sident of the u. States.
Previously to my departure from this country
my name had bcen frequently mentioned in con-
nexion with that Office. This, however was not
done with my appreciation; the contrary, when
consulted on the subject, 1 uniformly declared,
that l was altogether unwilling to be considered
a candidate for the station. To my friends, when
ever opportunity presented, the grounds of this
unwillingness were fully explained; and I left
them, as 1 supposed, generally satisfied with my
course in this respect, and resolved to recommend,
and unite in the support of some other individu-
al,
Since that period my position has been essen
TALLY changed, by the circumstance to which YOU
have referred, and to which. rather than to any
superior htness on my part, am bound to ascribe
the decision of the convention, and the warmth
and unanimty of feeling with which it would seem
to have boon accompanied? Viewing it in this
light, L cannot but regard this spontaneous ex-
preston of confidence and friendship. iron, the
delegated Democracy of the Union, MS laying me
under renewed obligations of gratitude to them,
and OF fidelity to the great interests for whose ad
vancement they were assembled / feel, also, that
L should prove myself unworthy of so much kind.
ness, were TO disregard these oblg ations or to
shrink from any duties they legitmately imply.
Whatever my personal feelings and wishes might
otherwise have been, l cannot hesitate as to the
course which i, now becomes me to pursue; and 1
therefore chcerfuliy consent, that the favorable
opinion expressed by your constituents, be submit
ted to the more deliberate judgment of the Amcri-
can people.
That those who entertain the same general opin-
ions In regard to the principles on which govern
ment ought to be administered, should sometimes
disagree both as to measures and to men, especially
in country whose interests are so diversified as
our own, is to be expected 1t is to be hoped, how
ever, that nothing will occur, to impair the harmo
ny and affection which have hitherto bound ogeth-
or IN NpItt tnulh rNtL a.t,
of the North and the South, the East and the
West; nd which, by cementing their union and
securing their concerted action, have hereto
tore contributed so largely to the welfare of the
nation. The differences to which you have
alluded, grow out of circumstances not easily
controlled; yet cannot but concur with you in
the belief that they may be overcome, if our efforts
are conceived IN generous spirit of Cancellation,
and accompanied by Il sincere determination not to
suffer its operations TO be counteracted by personal
prejudices local interest. That such efforts will
be made in every quarter of the Union is not to be
doubted, and we have therefore no occasion to de-
spair of the safety permanence of our free nsti-
tutions. 1t is also most fortunate for country,
that our public affairs under the direction of an
individual peculiarly qualified by his early and in
flexible devotion TO Republican principles, and by
that moral courage which distinguishes him from
all others, to carry the nation triumphuntly through
the difficulties by which il is encompassed. Tho
roughly convinced that the stability and value of
our confederated system, depend, under Providence
on faithful adherence 10 those principles, l shall
ever esteem IL sacred duty, to Cve them on all
occasions my Jealous support; and I would hum
bly, hopo that this motive, rather than any other,
has led me to accept the nomination you have ten.
dcrcd.
Accept, gentlemen, for yourselves my thanks
for the kind manner in which you have commune
Gated to me, the proceedings Of the dignfed
bly, over which you presided, and believe mo, with
the iveliest regard, your friend and obedcnt SER
Want, NJ. VAN buren,.
TO Robert Lucas Esq. President, and
p. " Daniel, james Fcnner, John M. Barclay
and A. S. Clayton, Esqs. Vice Presidents.