Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-11-25

os the American Democracy TO fill the same high
place which lie dignitied by the unbending integrity of
his principles, and every duty of which he so faithfully
DISCHARGED. We are not insensi5le to the high claims
of patriotic service possessed by our own Buchanan; we
hail such men as Benton and Calhoun, champions OF
The Republican cause on whom its highest confidence
might be w0rthily bestowed, VIC readily yield, as every
Democrat should, 10 the selection OF a National ConVen
ton, p!edging for It our ardent excrtions and support;
but we believe that, on this occasion, every motive
which does and ought to ectuate the American Demo
cracy in the choice of their candidate, points to Martin
Van Buren,, and will call him TO complete the regular
term which that Democracy has always assigned, since
the DAYS Of Jefferson, to lis faithful se~ryants-that the
returning ascendaucy and triumph ofthose sound prin.
ciples from which he never finched, and Of the grea,
public measures which he sugge. ted and adhered to,
at every peril, will bring to him also in this, its truest
form, the proof of his country's remembrance and
appreciation.
Respectfully,
Your fellow. citizens,
Andrew Flick, John II. Dohnert, John McAiIister,
Samuel Jackson, II. r. kneass, Isaac Skunk, james
Mapee, James Sheridan, James Martin, Vim. II. Scott.
Jacob Lewis, James II. Horn, WIN. II. Hamilton, n
l.. Hatfield, Jos. r. Evans, R Allen, John Cole, John
McAleer. l.. Painter, F. S,oever, John ID. HUM,
Benz. Martin, Edward w. David, c. Bsazer, Edmund
Grundy, WIN. Nassau, Jr, Jacob David, William G..
McCahen, Daniel Lafferty, T.. Nj. Pennington, Evans
Rogers, WIN. V. Petit, Samuel Hart, John Rutherford,
Sen, Geo. G. Geyer, ferkes Saurmnn, VIM. Ross, Thos.
G. Hunting. J. A. Phillips, Jacob Keck, z. Warner,
John "A. Willis, Ou,;en Laws, Henry G. Freeman,
John Hamilton, Jr., Conrad Keller, Robert Ewing,
Christian kuenss, George Tlu.n, George II. Martin,
NJ. NJ. Lewis, Anthony Fl. Simmons, Jacob fIentz,
J. S. Brewster, Vim. A. Siokes, Thomas Doyle, Thos.
Weaver, l.. Crousillat, John Pascal, Arthur Owe, ".
ID. Barnes.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 10, 1912.
Gentlemen: | have just received your communication
of this inst, requesting me 10 publish q correspond.
ence which | had with MIR. Van Buren, about Z year
ago, in relation 10 the next Presidential election. IL
may perhaps be proper for me briefly TO state the cir-
cumstances which led TO this correspondence. AL the
time referred TO 10 your letter, il Will be remembered
That there was some excitement and diversity oil OPT
niou among our Democratic friends here, in regard 10
the individual upon whom the party ought to unite as
its candidate for The next Presidential election. Meet.
ings were held, associations were formed, and decisions
were had upon the merits and claims OF several OF our
distinguished citizens for that high office. In TACT an
active course OF pre- paration, which has since IN a great
measure subsidized, seemed at that time 10 indicate an
early commencement Of the Presidential campaign.
1t was generally conceded, that the great ability and
frmness with which MIR. Van Buren, had administered
the affairs Of the Government during a period Of ex-
,raordinary difficulty and embarrassment, treading as
he emphatucally did in the footsteps OF his patriotic and
popular predecessor-thc bitter and relentless opposi.
ton which he was consequently doomed TO encounter
from the enemies Of popular government, and the base
means so successfully used 10 defeat his re election,
gave him strong claims upon his party for another trial.
But the letter which he had previously written TO the
Missouri Legislature was deemed by some TO be q suf-
fcient indication of his determination not again 10 be.
come a candidate for the Presidency. In this opinion,
however, cid not concur, and IN order 10 sustain my
construction Of that letter, and TO remove the doubts Of
some Of my immediate friends upon the subject, on the
18th Of November, lc4l, addressed q note 10 Mr.
Van Buren,, and, in 4 few days afterwards, received
his mos, satisfactory reply, OF which did not design
10 make any other use than that 10 which | have al
ready adverted. There is, however, nothing private or
confidential in ii, which ought to be withheld from
the Democracy, at large, especially when its publica.
ton is demanded by SO large and respectable a body
of my Democratic fellow citizens. | hasten, there
fore, 10 transmit you the correspondence, 10 be used
in such q manner as you may think most conducive to
the interest Of The great Democratic party.
Very truly, yoLr friend and fellow.citizen,
To Andrew Flick, Evans Rogers, Joseph R. Exams,
Rober, Ewing, WIN. V Petit, Lemuel Paynter, John
PASCAL, Isaac Skunk, Samuel Hart, Frederick StoeVer,
Lewis Crousillat, John Rutherford, Sr, John II.
Dohnert, James Magee, Jacob David, John McAllis-
ter, Henry G. Freeman, WIN. A. Stokes, Esqs and
others.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. IL, ls41.
Dear Sir:-Afte. congratuiating you upon the great
political re action, and the signal lriumphs of the prin.
ciples Of our party which have recently taken place in
various sections Of the Union, allow ma to submit a
few remarks, in relation TO the feeling which exists
here among your political friends.
Immediately after our defeat at the late Presidential
election, some Of your friends believed it e%3pecient to
commence at once the campaign for the next P.esiden.
tal contest, and TO place you in the field as their can.
iiGate. Many others, however, regarding the measure
az emanating from an excess of zeal and q want Of
prudence aud discretion, discouraged immediate &C.
ton as calculated TO prejudice rather than promote
the object in view, and finally succeeded in deierring
any movement for 4 tine sufficient for that reflec.
ton and concert Ct action, go necessary after a defeat
go overwhelming as that 10 which we had recently
been subjected. The tide Of prosperity, however, hav.
ing turned so powerfully in our favor, the zeal and ardor
of your friends hare not only been revived, but greatly
! increased. The results of the late elections in every
quarter, have had such an exhili,ating effect upon the
minds OF many here, that they have become impatient
for the arrival ofthe moment, when they will DC enabled
openly TO take ground in favor of the man Of tleir choice
and The principles they cherish. They are, in fact,
anxious for an object upon which 10 rally, 10 prevent
distraction in their ranks. Is the argument that the
time for action has not yet arrived, and that tle agi,a.
ton Of he question now would be premature md inlu-
rious, il is answered, that the question has already been
moo;cd in favor Of several candidates., and that should
we longer defer taking The incipient step to bring our
candidate forw ard, many Of our political friens, whose
opinions are not entirely settled IN reference u the in
dividual " no should be the candidate Of our patty, may
inadvertently he led into associations and connections
which, il would be difficult if not impracticable fg them,
without 4 sacrifice Of pride and feeling, to sever.
1t s, moreover, urged by the friends of some Of the
candidates, shat your letter 10 Missouri bears Ipon its
face evidence Ola determination on your part not again
to become a candidate for the Presidency. Although
| can see nothing in tina, letter to justify such a con-
clusion, vet ns many honest and well meaning men en-.
terrain doubts upon the subject, it may be important
TO remove them, 50 as TO make it clearly and distinctly
understood, whether you may be considered al among
the number from which the Democratic party may Sc
lect a candidate for the next Presidential term
In regard TO the time and manner OF announcing
your determination on this important subject, am dis.
posed to submit, entirely to your own views md feel.
ings; and anything you riay think proper to sly to ME
in reply 10 this communication, shall not be publicly
used unless required by a due regard TO whatmay APP
pear to be the true interest of the Democratic party.
Very sincerely,
Your friend, &c,
HENRY BORN.
To The Hon. Martin Van Buren,.
KiSIERuoog, Nov. q, 1871.
My dear SRI have received your friendly latter,
and do most sincerely veciprocute your cugratula.
tons on the subject of the recent elections. The re-