Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-12-08
NIr. Van Buren's Letter.
LlNDENwALD, Oct. 80, 1874,

| My DEAR SIR:-I had the honor, few
days since, to receive your friendly letter,
apprising me of your desire to place my
name, after the close of the then approach
ing canvass in Pennsylvania. at the head
Of your paper, as the choice of the sterling
democracy OF your district for the Presiden
cy, and also informing me of similar dis
position among the democrats of the sur
rounding districts.
The irankness of your communication
and the disiDterested motives by which it
has obviously been dictated, command my
respect and confidence. Instead, there
fore, of replying to it thro' my old and fast
friend in your vicinity, as you suggest, l
address myself directly to you, and shall
express my feelings and opinions with the
freedom and sincerity which are due to
the subject-to my position in regard to it
and to the respect and gratitude with
which your conduct has inspired me.
cannot apprehend that what am
about to say will induce any one 10 sup.
pose that undervalue the honor OF the Of.
flee with which your favorable estimate of
my capacity and principles has inclined
you once more to connect my name. Ev-
cry right-minded American citizen must
regard an incumbent Of the presidential
office, possessing the confidence and es-
TEEN OF those who raised him to power,
and challenging the respect of all parties
by wise and manly administration of his
trust, as enjoying the highest distinction
known to the political institutions.
Nevertheless, assure you that, what
ever may have been my aspirations at
other periods of my life, have no desire
TO re-occupy that most elevated public sta
ton. have already, by the partiallty Of
my countrymen, partaken very largely of
the enjoyments of public life, willis, |
have not Stunned its labor, or been en-
emp, from its inquietudes. The Gvors
and honors which have been profuselly
bestowed Oh me by the democracy of the
Union, are, and trust will ever be, pres
ent to my mind and greatly impressed on
my heart. Every day more confirmed in
the scundness Of the political opinions to
which l have adhered, conscious of always
having done my duty to the people to the
best Of my ability, having no heart burn
ings to be al!ayed, and no resen,ments to
be gratited BY a restoration TO power, and
finding my present position entfey ad pit
ed to my taste and disposition, am sin.
cerc!y and heartily DESTROYS to wear the
honors and Equipments OF private life I'm
interruptedly to the end
II, therefore, the support, which you
with whom have not even the pleasure
Of a personal acquaintance, have SO frank
y and honorabIy rendered me. including
that not only Of the indexible and vic,ori-
Gus democracy of your congressional! dis
trict, but also the democratic party
throughout the Union, and the consequent
assurance of success, could not, consul
ting only my own feelings and wishes,
hesitate, respectfully and gratefully, but
decidedly to decline it. That any state of
things will hereafter exist in which this in
diligence of my own preferences would, in
the opinion OF true and faithful friends,
conflict with my duty to the political par
ty to which my whole life has been de-
voted, and to which owe any personal
sacrifice, is in The last degree improbable.
appreciate and honor your anxious de-
sire to see the integrity and frmness of
the Democratic party OF the Union fully
vindicated. As far as the temperate but
steady action of one who is. by his posi-.
ton anc just observance of its prorrie-
ties debarred from active participation in
partisan conflicts, can aid in restoring its
former efficiency, in reminding its former
zeal, and in preserving the high and pure
character for which il has been long and
rightly distinguished, you may confident
ly rely Oh my CO operation. Whether
these desirable objects can be accomplish
ed, mainly depends upon the course which
is pursued by the respective friends of
those prominent citizens among us who
are made candidates fox the Presidency.-
Should the capital or the Union, during
the approaching session Of Congress, be-
come the rallying point Of the par'isans, and
not only their attention, but the time and
attention of those who are charged with
the direction of public affairs, be devoted
to Presiden, making instead Of their ap-