Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-06-18

port OF the delegates to the Baltimore Con-
vention.
After the address of Mr.. Butler which
was received with enthusiastic cheering,
the follnwing letter from MARTIN VAN
bUREN, IN answer to an invitation to be
present and preside at the meeting, was
read.
IANDENwALp, June Sd, 1914.
GENTLEMEN-I had the honor to re-
celye by the hands of Gansevoort Melville
your communication requesting me, in be-
half of convention of delegates from the
several wards of the city and county Of
New York, to preside at Mass Meeting Of
the Democracy to be held ON the 4th inst.
to respond to the nominations of the Balti-
more Convention.
Upon retiring from the Presidency |
thought it would best comport with the re-
spect which was due 20 that high station
and to those by whose favor | had been
raised to it, TO restrict my participation in
the political contests OF the day TO the
faithful exercise Of the right of suffrage,
with unreserved expressions of my opln-
ions upon public questions to those who
deemed the latter OF sufficient importance
TO call for Them. The adoption Of this
rule was, at the time, publicly announced
TO my poll; ica friends, and has ever since
been scrupulously observed. Subsequent
events have only confirmed tho proprie,v
of its continued and permanent observ-
ance. 1t is, therefore, with unfeigned re-
greet that find myself constrained bv cir
cumstaEces, which cannot and ought not
to disregard, 10 decline the request to
preside at meeting of a portion OF my
Fellow Citizens, than whom no men pos
sess stronger claims 10 my respect, my
confidence, and my esteem
But let no one for a moment suppose
that, in thus yielding to the prophecies Of
my position ) am in the slightest degre e
influenced by luke-warmness, much less
hostility to the success Of the nominal. ons
to which il is the purpose OF those you
represent to respond. Far, very far is
that from being the true state of my feel
ings. | have known Messrs. Polk and
Dallas long and intimately. have had
frequent opportunities for personal obsei :
vation of their conduct in the discharge of
high and responsible public duties. The
latter has, by my appointment, represented
the country abroad with credit and useful
ness. They are both gentlemen possessed
OF h'gh character, of unquestioned and un-
questionable patriotism and integrity, able
TO discharge the duties of the stations for
which they have been respectively noc,ina
ted with advantage 20 the country and hon.
or themselves. Concurring with them in
the main in the political principles by which
their public lives have been hitherto dis
tinguished, am sincerely DESTROYS for their
success. am by no means unapprised Of
the occurrences remotely connected with
these nominations which have caused pain
and modification in the breasts of many
sincere friends throughout the Union. who
have honored me by their continued and
dsnterested friendship.
But am very sure that can also RELY
on their past fidelity and honor for ready
concurrence in the saving principles OF
our political creed, that no personal or pri-
yate feelings should ever induce us 10 with.
hold our support from nominations, the
success of which would be be conducive to
the permanent interests of the country
Those, therefore, who think as | do, that
It's future welfare is in a great degree de-
pendent upon the success OF those great
principles in the administration of the Fe-
deral Government, which we have hithe rto
eSpouscd, in respect to which the two great
parties of the country have for years been
divided, cannot, | am sure, fail to merge
all MINOR considerations, in sincere and
undisguised efforts TO promote the success
OF the candidates OF the Democratic party
Having now said all that the occasion
calls for, in regard to the general subject
OF the meeting, must be INDUCED in a
lew parting words to he lion hearted De
mocracy OF the city and County of New
York. Never before has public man
been henored by the supporter truer, firm.
er, or more disinterested friends than they
have been TO me. In os2erity have
scarcely known where 10 find them; IN ad
versity they have been with me always
Through evil and through good report,
have found The masses of the n. York De
mccracy the same unobirusive, but un.
shrinking friends. The happiest, by fan
the haPplest day in my whole political ca.
reer was that on which, on my return from
Washington, they met me on the battery,
| IN the midst of Il storm Of wind and rain
which would have kept fair weather
| friends al home, and extended TO me. 4
private citizen like themselves, their hard
hands and opened their hearts in a welcome
as cordial as man ever received from man
They need no assurances to satisfy them
that | shall tie forever thankful for their
unsurpassed devotion to my welfare
they know that | can never cease 10 cher
ISL with grateful recoileciions the honored
relation OF Representative nd Constituents
which has existed between US for so long
Il period, in such varied forms and which
is now forever closed.
L have the honor, gentlemen,
10 be very respectfully, your
Friend and ob't serv't.
NJ. VAN BUREN,.
The New York Evening Post contaiGs
the following Interesting account of The
Ratification Meeting in Philadelphia