Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-03-09

LETTER FROM MR.. VAN buren,.
LINDENwALD, Jan. 30, 1914.

Gentlemen Il have had the honor 10
receive your obliging letter, communica
ting the proceedings Of state democratic
mass meeting, he'd at Harrisburg on the
18th instant, at which nv name was, with
entire unanImily, presented TO the demo-
cratic party of Pennsylvania, as their cam
didate for the presidency.
cannot refrain from saying that have
received your communication with feel
ings of 20 ordinary character. An ex-
preston of opinion so imposing as that
which you have been deputed to convey
to me, coming from any portion of my poll
tical associates, could not fail at any time,
TO excite my profound gratitude. There
are circumstances, however, attending
this, which seem to deserve more partlc-
ular notice at my hands.
Ny relations with the democracy OF
your great State has been in some res
poets peculiar. They sustained me by
their confidence and support, at a most In
tercsting crisis in my political career.
have been honorcd and cheered by their
good will, when it was not in their power
! to render ii effective, and their support was
at one timo withheld from me, and con-
ferred upon another, when received that
of their political brethren of the Unlon.-
Why should not embrace an occasion o
opportune, and possibly the last that may
occur, to assure them that neither then,
nor at any other time during the whole
course of my politi al life, have | ever, for
| \ ,hoiu dion n do
me ample ireticc7 Although they dissent
ed from my nomination, fell dssurcd that
they were actuated by motives which wero
entitled 10 my entire respect. l have,
therefore, never ceased to cherish, in COM
mon with the friends of our cause thro'-
out the Union, towards the unconquerablc,
and, as the fullest experience has proved,
the unpurchascab!e democracy Of Penn
sylyunia, sentiments Of sincere respect Tor
their adherence to democratic principles
under circumstances the most adverse,
and admiration of the unialtcling spirit
with which they have from fine to time
struggled with domestic dissensions. l
cannot, therefore, gentlemen, too highly
appreciate an expression of confidence and
favor, proceeding from so respectable
portion of Them, on this, the last occasion
on which my name can ever be presented
to the country for any public station:
Yet these are not the only conslderh-
tons which give interest to the proceed
ings which you have transmitted TO me-
1t is known TO all, and by no one more
chcerfully admired than myself, that
large majority of our political friends IN
Pennsylvania, preferred that the honor
which those whom you represent have now
so cordially awarded 10 me, should be be-
slowed upon a Justly distinguished citizen
of their own State-oEe admirably quail
fed for the successful discharge OF any
public duty, and possessing likewise, IN an
eminent degree, the confidence and good
will of the democracy Of the Union. IL
certainly becomes him better than myself
to comment on the proprie'y of his with
travail from the canvass, when II Lad Deeh
ascertained that the wishes of his more I'M
mediate friends were not (for reasons,
however, not detracting from the merits oil
their lavoritc) in accordance with those OF
the great body of their political brethren
in other states. should not however, DO
Justice TO the occasion, nor to my own
feelings, were | to pass over in silence inc
fact that but for this surrender OF Ills pre-
tensions TO promote the general harmony,
the proceedings for which | am offering
nv grateful acknowle ]gments could not
now have taken place. Nor will 1t, nope,
he thought amiss in any quarter, 1t l avail
myself of the occasion TO show that 'nis
commcndable desire 10 promote unaflmi'y
amonr common friends h J previously
though TO q less important extent, been act
cd upon by myself 1t is well known, mat
amid prevailing preference of the demo-
cracy of Pennsylvania for her distinguish
ed son, there was a portion OF them, OF
whose confidence any public man might
well be proud, who avowcd a preference
which they had early imbbcd, and zeal
ously cherished, for myself. 1t Is not,
however, so we'll known that, without at
tempting to interfere with their free exer-
else of opinion, caused them to be IN
formed that, as far as my individual teei-
ings were concerned, it would be en'lreiy
satisfactory TO have them unite with The
rest of our politic.l friends in the State IN
giving lis vote in convention 10 him who
was the choice of the majority. That this
suggestion had not been adopted, was, !
feel assured, not because tho>e TO whom 1t
was addressed were less friendly to the ia
yorite of the State, or les sensible OF his
claims upon the respect and confidence oil
his countrymcu: but altogether owing 10
considerations growing out of the contest
of 1910, which they deemed imperative,
cannot, am confident, ada any thing TO
Iihe mastery and eloquent description
which you have given OF The national