Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-06-14
MIR, VAN BUREN,,

The meeting of the Loco Focos of New
York City, to ra,ify the doings of their Bal
tlmore Convention, was held in the Park,
on Tuesday afternoon. Nothing worthy Of
special notice occurred at the meeting, ex-
cept the presentation If The following letter
from Mr. Van Buren,. He had been invited
to be present, and to preside at the meeting.
To this invitation he returned the following
cold reply-cold so far as applies to Polk,
but warm and enthusiastic enough, it will be
observed when speaking of himself.
L~iSDESwoLp, June Sd, 1914.
G"ESTLrMES-I had The honor 10 receive by The
hands of Mr.. Gansevoort Melville your commnnica-
ton roqleslrng me, in behalf of n convention of dele
gates from the several Wards Of the City and County
of New York, to preside al n Mass Meeting of the De-
mocracy TO be held on The ih inst. to RESI- ond 10 The
nominations of The Baltimore Convention.
Upon retiring from the Presidency | thought it
would best comport with the respect which was due
TO that high staiiun and TO hose by whose favor ! had
been raised To II, to restrict my participation in the
political contests of the day to the faithful exercise Of
the right Of suffrage, with unreserSed expressions OF
my OPINIONS upon the public questions 10 those who
deemed the letter of ~suficIen, importance 10 call for
them. The adoption of this rule was at this lime pub-
llcly announced by me 10 my political friends, and has
ewes since been scrupulously observed. Subs qGent
events have only confirmed the propriety Of lis con-
tinued and permanent observance. 1t is therefore
with u~nfeigned regret that | find myself constrained
by circumstances, which | cannot and ought not 10
disregard, 10 decline the request TO preside al a meet
ing of n portion of my Fellow Citizens, Than whom
no men possess stronger claims TO my respect, my
confidence and my esteem.
But let no one for a moment suppose that, IN thus
yielding 10 the properties of my position, ! am IN The
slightest degree Influenced by !ukeMaImness, InNGh
Is h9slIy TO l4e success of The nomlnaI!ons 10
winch II is hefuTpose 0F1hose y0u REPRESENT To re-
spond. Far. very far Is ihll fLomhGlng The fIne staIe
Of nv feeIIngs: | have known Messrs. Polk and Dali
las long and Intimately. ! have mad frequent oppor-
mnliies for personal observation Of Their conduct IN
the discharge of high and responsible public dnhes.
The latter has, by my appointment, represented The
country abro1d with credit and usefulness. They
are both gentlemen possess SD OF high character, ofun-
questioned and unqncsunnable PATRIOTISM and iniegri-
", able 10 discharge the duties of The stations for which
they have been respectively nominated with adyan-
tage to the country aud honor 10 themselves. Con-
curing with them in The main m the pohilcai prinei-
pies by which their public lives have been hi heIio dis
iinguished | avn slncItsly lsslons iQr thor SUCCESS,
| am by no means Gnapprise1 Of lie Occurrences f-
motely connected with these nominations. which have
caused pain and mort ication IN the breast Of many
sincere friends throughout The Union, who have hon.
ored me by their continued and disinterested friend
ship.
But am very sure that | can also RELY on ihsu past
fidelity and honor for a ready concurrence IN The saw
ing principles of our political creed, thai no personal
or private feelings should ever iIaucs 10 Withhold our
support from nomlnauans, the Access OF Which
you'd be Conducive TO The parnanenF miefesfs Of the
colrry. TMse- lheTeMW WHO mink as ! DO. that
its future we'tarefsm 3 gTeaV rrgTtf Dependent npon
the success of those great prime pies IN the admins
traion Of the Federal Government, which we have
hitherto espoused, and in the respect 10 which me
two great aries of the country have for years been
divided. cannot, ! am sure, . merge all MINOR con
sideraliois.1M slnceIe and ln1sSNS.f ednusI RLo1
nsm9gsd