The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-05-16


half he nav addressed the Convenuon.--
lie acknowledged Ne had been disappointed
--he acknowledged that he hsd Iel1 some
little sting of modification. when the result
Of the committees deliberations was known
10 him; that had passed of.
We have met here, said Mr.. B. for the
public good, aud our own individual feel
ings must give way when that can be serv.
cd. After offering the letter Of his dlstin-
guished friend and fslow-citizen, he would
say that if there was one individual present
who, like him, felt disappointed, let him
lay it aside. Tha; man is not lost to this
country. His whole life has been spent
for its good, and he will no! abandon the
party to which he belongs, bscause they
had rot thought ptoper to make him their
chief. He believed that that Individual
was the choice Of the American people for
the second high Office in the Government,
and lei his llionds then 60 home, proclaim
his worth, and. as he has beaten his polit-
cal opponents before under similar circum-
stances, he can do it again. We knew
said Mr.. B. that he has strong claims on his
countrymen. He has strong claims in the
hearts Of the American people-sf the la
boring class in which was 10 be found the
Democracy Of the country. He was born
In that class, raised among, and was liter
ally among them. Born in Kentucky at
the most evenIful perio Of her history, in
the midst OF the Iudan wars, he received at
his birth that energy Of character which has
accompanied him through liie-ncne but
the brave went to that Slate al that period.
1t was then no place for cowards;it was the
habitation only of the brave, aud il was a
mong them he caught that indomitable spir
it and those generous feelings which have
20 much endcared him 10 his country
men.
know; said Mr.. B. tha. he is but man
and that, for moment; he may feel the
sting of disappointment, butI know him
well, and know that nothing but the sting
Of death will separate him from the party
with which he has acted through life. |
present. said he. the letter of Colonel John
son. and in doing so, | am convinced that
if there is an unkipd feeling in this house i!
will disappear. We are engaged in com
mon cause for the good Of the country; let
not that cause be paralyzed by the slightest
division among ourselves. Mr.: B. thea han
dsd the letter to the chair, and it was read
az follows;
Cry OF WAsHISGToN,
: April 25, l840.
GENTLEMEN the near approach of the
National Democratic Convention in Balli-
more, on the 9Th of May, induces me TO ad
dress you. The OBJECT of that meeting is
to nominate candidates for the next election
Of President and Vice Presiden, of the
United States. In relation to the Presiden-
ey, ! am happy TO ind il is universally un-
derstood, that there will be no DIVISION
The leading and only point, in which any
discussion is anticipated. is that Of the Vice
Presidency.
From the situation in which ! am now
placed, II seems 10 be proper that my senti-
ments and views should be dehnilvey
known. The frs, question will be, wheth-
er the Convention will 90 into the nomlna-
ten.
On this point it is said, there will be
difference OF opinion. Whether the CoR-
;yentlon shall make nomination., or leave
st 10 Zach State to make its own selection,I
wish my friends 10 understand distinctly
that that will be matter with which | am
not TO interfere. will be perfectly sa,isG-
ed with the course the Convention shall a.
dopi; and, in any event, must beg of them
not to suaor any feelings of parliality for
sne to endanger tbs principles which We
are united in sustaining. My sentiment
has ever been. that ma Republic no citizen
has any claims upon The people TO election
fer any office, Irrespective of the benefit
and advantage resulting TO themselves All
offices ought 10 be fol the COED Of the peo-
pie, ard not for the incumbents. If special
services ever merit special rewards. those
rewards should be given in any ether ~sv
than that which woub endsngor the grcaI
fundamental principles of liberty.
To regard highly responsible elective
Office, as reward for past services, is to
regard the elective franchise as forestalled
by tho claim ofjustcs;and il is therefore re-
Pugnant to Republican principle. If such
claim may be urged in favor of any other,
on any occasion, am conscious that my
humble services merit nothing beyond whs.
ihey have Already received. So far as past
Services have elected the principles OF the
nan, they will be regarded as pledge for
ais future course; and beyond this, they
ought not 10 be consdeIed, especially in re-
aaIion to myself.
There rests no obligation on tho mart of