The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-03

should be vindcaed and the justice Of The people Illus
traed by my reelection This decision OF the
reversed by their representatives in the Mort
than compensated for any mort caton which mY dIsrom
nure IN ioO had occasoned by these expressions OF
ndence and regard proceeding directly from peoplp
themselves, and anxious above all things The
OF the measures for which had been unsparingly
ragned forbore either the motives by which my
opponents IN the convention of 1911 actuaed the
ject," &c.
This very extraordinary censure. both of the motives
and conduct OF those who veniured prefer another
him for the Chief Magistrate of the nation demands
passing notice. Let us for moment look al the his
tory and the causes OF his rejection and see whether his
charge against the democracy of the well found
ed, or is the offspring OF a morbid Imagination
Long before the assembling of the Baltimore conven-
ion, II was apparent that the question of the reanneya
hon OF Texas to this Union would form an important ele
ment IN the then approaching canvass and leading states
men were beginning take ground upon the subject II
was Justly regarded question of great importance and
Its effect upon the politics and parties OF the country was
men, difficult OF solution AT this time it was REGARDED
as virtually settled that Mr. Van Buren, and Mr. CLAY
would be the opposing candidates OF the two great po
cal parties Tor the presidency Each being satisfied with
his position, and being unwilling 10 disturb it BY the in
PRODUCTION of any new element, by mutual understand.
ing as has been confidently asserted and never TO my
knowledge denied, each declared himself the country
opposed TO the measure. The effect upon each proven
fatal But operated in different ways one was quietly
put aside by his party the other rejected by the peo
pile.
But notwithstanding the pronunciamenos of the two
great rejected gentlemen referred TO against this grea
American measure and the old stalking horse OF dema
gogues-savery-wh was then, now, paraded
discussion only tended TO confirm the opinions OF the
people in It's favor and the democracy of the country
began to look TO as one OF most powerful elements
OF success IN the then approaching canvass panph-
lei IRON the pen OF the Secretary of the Treasury
written in that mastery and vigorous style which ever
distinguishes MS productions. exerted most pow
erful influence upon the public mind; and although
MIR. Van Buren,, always OF doubtful popularity with the
masses, but strong with the politicians OF the country by
such long life of almost uninterrupted success
had placed at his disposal, aided by visit through more
than half the States OF the Union, known have
cured majority OF instructed delegates in favor of his
nomination. yet, before the assembling of the conven-
ton, indications not to be mistaken coming up thun
der tones from the warned the party leaders OF
the danger of again placing him before the country for
against the nomination of Mr. Van Buren, solely because
he had taken ground against the admission Of Texas
Other causes operated powerfully to defeat him. Coming
events their shadows before" the result, the
elections which had then recently been held in Connect
cut, New York city, and Virginia He had, moreover,
never enjoyed the hearty and cordial good feeling of the
masses He had wrought out democratic results the
mathematician solves his prombems, and not by his i'm
pulses He was regarded cold calculating, and selfish
He had once been defeated notwithstanding the most
perhuman effort had been put forth BY the democracy
him. and the twelve electoral votes he received from
the twelve millions of northern reemen he much euo
giles in his recent letter, shows the estimation in which
they then held him. Ii the fearful looking for OF
another defeat equally disastrous, and the Consequent
prosraton OF the democratic party and its principles
which had been placed in such imminent peril by the
elections OF $780, and which seemed to have been saved
it were by the nterposition of Providence-t was
Ms that ncryed the arms and stayed M the hands OF
those who dared to assert and maintain the republican
doctrine. without which republican principles would per-
"eUeryh,ng for the cdt,se nothing for men,
That voice, coming up to the convention like the voice
OF many waters, needed The success OF the party
and its glorious principles regarded as of higher i'm
portance than the advancement of the personal interests
of any man or set Of men. 1t was not because the
venton or the party desired the overthrow elevation to
power OF any particular interest," that it regarded
Indispensable that Mr. Van Buren, should stand aside for
it is we'll known fact that the convention would have
nominated Mr. Wright, his devoted personal friend, had
he foresalled the action of the convention BY une-
quivocally and Internationally declining in advance.
Success, with men who would carry out lis principles,
was all the party desired. The alternative pre-
sented-Mr Van Buren, and certain defeat, or a new
man and certain success The latter alternative was
taken. 1t operated upon the party like of emanci
patton The result OF the election is matter of history
Has any ever dreamed, in the wildness of fancy
that Mr. Van Buren, would have been elected if nomina
ted! do not believe hundred be found in the
country, who had mistaken the signs of the times
become SO infatuated as to believe for moment that he
stood any chance of an election and know those who
were among his best and most devoted friends who al
forwards conceded that his defeat would have been
tam.
But however just the conclusion of the convention,
and patriotic the motives that governed It's action, It's fail
ure to nominate Mr.. Van Buren, gave mortal offence to
him and TO all the House of Bourbon in New York;
and is the secret, primary, MovINc-may MOI almost
now say the AvowED-cause of their detection and aban,
donment OF the democratic party.
Sir it is the cause All other pretended OF dis
content its mere Developments. The Wilmot Proyso
concoced and thrown into Congress for the express pu
pose OF embarrassing the administration IN the prosecu
ton of just war; OF them and in order 10 make
that available for their dsoganZing purposes, the lead
OF this edged aboIitonIsm compelled TO
sort to the most shameless misrepresentation.
Sir the professed democrat, who, standing up here
elsewhere uers the assertion that the northern democra
cy who adhere TO the principles, usages and nominations
OF the democratic party Gny1rhere In favor OF eX-
tending slavery utiers what he must know to be base
SANDER against that democracy for which he deserves
the and detestation OF every honorable The
northern democracy nowhere in favor OF extending
slavery They have not been asked TO aid In It's extern
sion. They will not be. No such proposition is before
Congress before the countTy and he who deceives
any honest into the abandonment OF long cherished
political associations by such preence will be guilty OF
fraud for which he must the bar OF his
conscience, and to his God The democratic party upon
this question, stands where it has stood 1t
pies no new position 1t has taken ground.
Sir have faith in the sincerity of this pretended
conversion to freedom of men who have so long sig
nalized their devotion the south believe it 10 be the
sheerest hypocrisy. With the leaders of this
ment the cry of Free soil, free labor, and free men,
are the mere cachwords Of demagogues. Can any dis
passionate mind doubt this Look at their first Utica
Convention when, with 'ree soiI upon their lips they
virtually nominated for the presidency large slave
hodera man whose every interest Identified with the
south and 1t is well known fact that large majority
OF that convention favor of formal nomination
of General Taylor and only deferred from nomlna
ting HIM by the determined resistance OF the more
clous OF the leading spirits who doubted the policy OF
posing to the world at that early day, their hollow
hearted hypocrisy. Another reason also operated with
the knowing ones to prevent his nomination They had
another candidate in their eye. The hope was enter
taned-and, as subsequent developments have clearly