, 1844-02-17
From j. T. v. THOMPSON.
Liberty, Mo-, Sept. 23rd., 1874.

III ny "NitHs uppi thS Hi"Ht piOiii-
nent questions Of National an State
policy" is now before me.
The fundamental principles advo-
Gated and adhered to be the demo.
cratic party, are at this time 80 well
known and understood, that deem it
entirely useless TO enter upon a
lengthy detail OF them. shall there
fore confne myself as strictly as pos.
sible to such matters Of policy is are
now agitaring the National and State
Governments, particularly OF the
State Of Missouri.
The question, "Vho shall tie cur
candidate for the next P~fe,iLcncvE'
ID one Of ParamDunt Importance, and
consequently merits the calm and de-
liberd!e investigation of those who
desire the triHmpt Vi the democratic
cause. Oae nlis-step III this poiat
might throw the party Iato such ruin
that years would I've required to eX-
III ate it. Then il beaooves Us to
look well to the subject telore we
make L final move. Principles ought
first TO be considered, aud then lie
man whose strength, and political
honesty can lie most depended upon.
These points dispassi"Eately exaiHin-
ed and c~anvassCd before tie nleeting
Of the National Convention. will eaa-
be that body 20 select q man ~
whom the wh"'c party lepose conf
dence. and to whom ihey will give
their suIPort. This being done, the
democracy have nothing 10 fear; the
triumph Of their g,o.ious cause will
be the inevitable trsalt.
If J were allowed II select The in
dividnaI 10 conduct the approaching
political campaign, | should unhcSi'a-
,iagiy ca..lo.th MARTIN VAN BU.
rem as he most suiia.Ie person 10
take upon himself The responsibilities
that must Of necessity devoivr, not
only upon the nominee of the M
tiohal Contention Luring h" canvass,
bul If CT he becomes the HXscu!i.c
III the Cohte,.er2'y y.
10 sxPrcssia: a preference fyr Mr..
Van DLren is the democratic ,audiI
ute for tie Presidency, Shall avoid
draainG ANY mIlJ!pLs distinctions BE-
tween h!n and lhr other GeuucrHlir
aspiranls. Hostility, and i s3,-i: ii
retaliation among The licnlS If t:lc
distinguished gentlemen Who are as
pirinL 10 Il Executive oli;"e. would
he likely to produce sta,c Of tliDg~
at this period pregnant with injurious
results t. Ike Democratic parry. Lei
nothing re taAe that WoIli be calcu-
LATED to emai;ier the friends OF The
asp. ants against each other. Sun.
movements. ii entered iato aui per
siat4I n. Nh certainly Ly:Ac yar.y
great injury. 4 lack o: co0crrl c1s-.
s];Itntrs the OILY vulnerable rp,nr In
the b'e'St-workS of the dsnocricv
at this tine. TAcn is it not the very
height of folly AMI im9ulence 10 IN
dictate t the enemy. By 4 war avgia>,
ourselves, oa' a,SiIlabie points, and
furnish them with weapons. witch 4
turned aga;ns! Us would be m0s' Do
struclive. There is nothing tha,
could De more iac0nsidcfqtc and i'm
proper than for democrats 10 Use
their skill. talents, ami industry. in
rndeavorinI - prove that their can
dIdates are weak and uudescrving.-
This Of all other conduct shDuil he
cautiously avoided. These are my
views in reference to the selection Of.
4 candidate for the Presidency by
the National Convention. Mr.. Van
Buren, is nv first choice, but / will
exert myseI: 20 the utmost extent TO
secure the election OF the nominee OF
the National Convention, whoever he
my be.
In reference 10 L Unitol States
Bank, will only repeat. what | have
often SAID before. | am opposed to
all monIed monopolies, particularly
such a one as was-presented by the
terrific front of that monster. which
was crushed by the giant hand Of that
answering patriot General jackson.
am opposed 10 every description Of
banks when abstractIy considered,
and Will never cease to exhibit my
unmItIgated animosity 10 all such in
stItutIjns whilst individuals are suffer
ed TO be stockholders in them.
That this, and every other Govern
ment must have a fiscal Agent, Of
some sort, presume no enc will have !
the hardlhood 10 deny. Then the
question TO be determined is show
shall that agent be made and what :
shall be the extent of lis powers!" {
II must OF ourSe be the creature Of t
Congress, and hence it follows that /
fhnf I-I