Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-06
rrsnIIrTI0NS.

during his administration
Be therefore resoioed That this Convention, in be-
half of the Democratic party of Alabama, reiterate the
confidence lately sgnaly expressed BY the people of
the State the wisdom of the measures and the purity
of the principles that have characterized the admins
tration of Martin Van Buren,.
Resoircd That in his late able and digniied message
to Congress, we recognise, in defeat, the stern
and unyielding attachment to principles he has ever
manifested in triumph-alike honorable to the man,
and worthy of the party that elevated him to power
Resoired, That great obligations TO Martin
Van Buren,, for the truly Republican character OF his
administration yet is he peculiarly and cmneny emit
tied TO our thanks Southern men, for the uncompro-
missing fidelity with which he has uniformly sustained
Southern rights and Southern interests.
Resoicrd That the President of this Convention
transmit 10 Mr.. Van Buren, the above resolutions; and
assure him, the Of the Democratic party Of the
State Of Alabama that in the retreme nj into which he
is now about pass he will have its best wishes for his
prosperity and happiness.
REPLY OF MR. VAN buren,.
WAsHISGT0S, Jan 80, lS4l.
Sir: In acknowledging the receipt Of your letter of
the 2ith ult., conveying to me the proceedings Of
Convention of the friends Of Democracy in Aabaina
perform most agreeable duty.
cannot but rccollcct that these expressions of una
baed confidence, and continued personal regard pro-
coed from the Representatives of majority of State
which has twice given lis suffrage for the Presidency,
once in preference to respected citizen OF ghborng
State, who at that time enjoyed their entire confidence,
and more recently under circumstances highly exciting,
and deeply impressed on the public mind. Such re-
pea,cd proofs Of respect and confidence have, assure
you, Impressed on my nnd Tie most enduring seht'-
nenis Of gratitude.
Alabama, on her first admission into the Union,
planted ker standard what even our opponents
now profess 10 regard as the true Democratic plat
form, and has since rallied round il with undertaking
constancy. When assured BY the Democracy OF such
State under circumstances excluding the possibility
of any other motive influence than OF justice
and love Of truth, that have, in my administration
nf the Government, seadasy sustained the true
principles Of the Constitution, may well hope that
have not wholly failed in the accomplishment OF the
most cherished object ofmy efforts in public life.
In the result OF the late contest, declared as it will
be- according 10 the forms Of the Constitution it will
become all not only to acquesce but to give to the
measures of the succeeding Administration manly
and liberal support when they meet the approval of
our reason, and accord with Interchangeable prin-
cples.
In conceding this patriotic Difference TO the record
ed expression Of the decision Of the people, render
jus. tribute Of respect 10 the great principle which
forms the basis OF Republican SYSTEM that their
w consttutionally expressed should, under all CIR
cumstances, be regarded as the supreme law.
That 4 convention of Southern men should thus re-
cognise and appreciate the sincerity and earnestness
with which have labored TO extend to the rights and
interests the Southern portion Of the Union, those
alike entitled TO demand from the administration Of
the General Government, and which have earnestly
desired 10 to all, is to Inc source OF much sa
tisfacton.
But in making this acknowledgment, must not be
so unmindfu of the kindness which have invariably
received from the Democracy Of the North, as TO ont
this opportunity of declaring that in pursuing the course
which has called forth the special appreciation oil the
Convention, was but the exponent (certaIny wiling
one) Of the principles by which their conduct has, al
all times and under all circumstances been guided
To cherish fracrnal feelings towards their political
brethren throughout every section of this extended
Confederation forcgo the enjoyment OF local advan
tages atanabe only at the expense of Others and TO
endure without finching the pressure of public inca
sures, which, though they bore upon them with greater
severity than others, nevertheless demanded by
proper regard TO the great constitutional bond OF COM
mon defence and mutual safety. These have always
BEEN and trust will ever continue to be-, the leading
characteristics of the Democracy OF the North
On no occasion, however exciting have they lent
themselves 10 any attempt to dsparage the condition.
impair the prosperity, disturb the domestic peace OF
their Southern brethren by ayailng themselves Of me
qualities in the social condition of the several States
INEQUALITIES which had their origin in distant and re-
mote causes beyond the control of the present genera
tion-which were coexstent with the first settlement
OF the counry-which were made the subject OF spe-
cal reference and compromise in the formation and es
adjustment of the Union, and of the Constitution
which binds it togcher-and for the removal OF which
found by those whose exclusive to decide upon
the subject.
1t was under the influence of these dispositions that
the Democracy of the North have cordially support
ed citizens OF the Southern section of the Union to NIL
the first office in the Government for at least oryour
wears out of tytwo which have elapsed since It's es-
tablshmcn believing them at the time to be best cal
culated TO advance the interests OF the whole country
To the prevalence of views and principles OF duty
10 their political associates enlarged and liberal, and
To the patriotic stand which they took IN successive
struggles which national in their character, may
be traced most Of those by which their political
history is distinguished twas by the vigorous support
which they gave TO the commercial restrictions adopted
during the administrations of Presidents Jefferson and
Madison notwithstanding the severity OF their local
PRESSURE and in total disregard OF the advantages thus
afforded to political adversares, not backward IN con-
vertng the occasion partisan purposes, that the De-
mocracy Of the North for season dvested OF Its
ascendancy, in many Of the State Governments, and
subjected TO the domination ofthelr opponents
The same results, sprnging from like causes, &C.
CURED during the Of 1912 Again, on later occa-
sons although not entirely prosta;cd they were great
~ weakened, and in more than one State brought TO
the very verge ofa political overthrow, by the firm
md zeal with which they sustained the policy Of
the late Administration in respect TO several prominent
measures, which, though strictly subscryient to the
general interest of tbe whole country, nevertheless,
in some important instances, conflcied in greater
degree with the honest prejudices, preconceved OPT
mons, and supposed local interests of large classes
of the people their portions of the Union than in
others.
Such the removal Of the Indian tribes from the
States they inhabited; the reduction Of the tariff the
dlscontnuance of National Bank, and cessation To
great extent of internal improvements by the General
Government and il is 10 their untiring efforts to up
hold the compromises Of the Constitution in regard to
the peculiar institutions Of the South and TO guard lis
domestic peace from unconstitutional invasion, that
they have recently, in the opinions of many,
crfced Iong-enjoyed and well-merited political ascend
ancy in most of the Northern States.
Aware that this last sacrifice like those which pre-,
coded it, was incurred in the performance of their duty
to the Union, and confident that as heretofore, they
will not fail to regain their political supremacy at home,
they acquiesce without murmnr in its temporary
sequences assured of the final triumph of the great
principles which they have at all times adhered to with
such mistaken constancy, and maintained with so much
cost.
Whether the dangers which in their opinion me-
naced the Union Of the States from the agitation of the
slave question: and which, without reference TO their
the abstract ouestion of slavery they have