Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-17
MR.. VAN BuREN.s LETTER.

a few weeks since, Mr.. Van Buren, wrote
a lettertc some gentlemen in Alabama. IN 70
ply to one from them.
In this letter, Mr.. Van Buren, rashes tbro..
assertions not lille lille remarkable in them
selves, and still more remarkable when we
consider the source whence they come. He
asserts, first, that the wings of the south, and
the Abohtlonists of the north, united in the
late contest, in opposition to himself; second
", that the Democracy ofthe north have been
opposed to Abolition, thirdly. that the i'm.
preston IS extensive, that Abolition itself is
nothing more than political expedient got
ten up by the wings and abolltionists, for the
purpose of the more effectualy organizing a
party. In the following extract these asser-
tons are made, in language as PLAN as
MIR. Van Buren, ever permits himself 10 use.
THE world has already seen that there is
not, at least In the opinions of vast maiorities
of the slaveholding and abolition classes, any
thing IN their respective principles, interests
or inciIhatlons so irreconcilable as 10 prevent
cordial union between the parties IN the
delegation ofpower. There is not, can as
sure you, any portion of the people which
would more sincerely rejoice, than would
the Democracy of the North, to find in this
indication, and in the Developments which
may follow, the desired proof, that the appre
tensions they have entertained IN regard to
this delicate question. have been at least 10 a
great extent unfounded nor will the salts.
faction they derive from that source be dim
nlshed, Il followed by confirmation of the
impression already SO extensively made on the
minds OF those who have no other guide to
tne,f Judgment than outward appearances that
a pohiIcal expedIent, destined ike many other
devices for the more effectual organization and
COMBINATION of political factions which have
preceded 1t to be in turn eciipsed and sinner.
seeded by some new scheme invented. for sim.
liar purposes"
Let US dissect this extract, and endeayor to
diyest It of some Of the drapery ofwo,ds. to
which the writer is so much addicted in order 70
cloak and mistify his meaning, and render
what he writes susceptible of two constructions
The world has already seen that there =. ~,
al least IN the opinion. of vast maiorities f The
slaveholdlng and abolition classes. anv ,h;,,,.
10 q Their respective principles, interest or ;1s
cIinatlons so irreconciiable as TO nrave,t :
cordial union between the parties IN the dala
CATION of power" A vast majority a. I'm, ne
slaveholding class, has united with a vast
majority of the Abolition class in doing : what 1
IN giving away power. When was this done !
NO reasonable manfeels any doubt. that the
late Presidential contest is alluded to. AS no
one viii suspect Dir, Van Buren Of sav;re
anything against his own party, il must be the
wings whom he means to charge so the who's
and abOlitionists united to elect Gen. fIa,T;-
son. s ~. ---''
Bat the Democracy has been opposed to ali
clifton. @There is moi, lean assure vol, anv
portion Of the people that would more s;r.
cerely rejoice, than would the Democrscg ~. e
the North to find in this indication. and = The
aeVelepements which NAV follow. the sles;raS
PROOF that the apprehensions they have enter
la'neo IN regard to this delicate question az.
Z the Democracy felt "apprehensionsa that
eViiconseauences were to result from Aboli-
aon' they must have been opDosed a !,
NOV. for our third proposition, that; aAbol;.
ton Is nothing more than an expedient. 49,,
y hatis t which 60 many now believe % Be