Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-08
L~INpENwALp. Aug. "a. 1919.

GenHeuen:--l have had tue honor to receive
your letter, giving me official information of the
proceedings OF the Buffalo Convention. The com.
posihon' character and proceedings Of that BODY, as
described by you, and the concessions OF feeling
and to some extent, OF opinions also, on the par, Of
It's members, which enabled them to unite their ex.
ertlons upon a common, and to the country. a vital
~ important question, show 1t to have been govern.
ed by a pure and lofty patriotism and demand from
me a grateful acknowledgment for the expre,,ion nf
confidence you have communicated.
My position, in regard TO the Presidential elec.
uon' Is a peculiar one; and it is due TO me, that the
knowledge OF it. should be co.extensiye with thai
OF every material step | take in the canvass. la 1874
l announced my determination to continue in retire.
ment for the rest OF my life; and my earnest desire
to do SO has been undiminished and invariable, from,
That moment to the present. | declined respectfully
out explicitly, numerous offers from friends in 9th.
err states, to promote my nomination at the late Bal.
tlnore Conventions; and in the same spirit, refused
permission to the New York Delegation, to present
my name to that body, under any circumstance
whatsoever.
This refusal would have been equally decisi We.
II II mad been Certain that they would have had ii
IN thelr power to carry their friendly wishes into ef.
feet. The New York Delegation to the Utica Con-
vention requested my opinions, in regard 10 the OBJ
legations imposed upon them by the Baltimore nom-
inations, and the constimtionality and expediency
OF q prohibition, by Congress, Of the introduction
OF slavery into territories now free from il. They
also asked my consent to the use of my name, by
the convention, as is candidate for the Presidency.
l cheerfully gave them the opinions they desired.
but declined the last request absolutely. That they
sincerely desired u respect my wishes i'm this re-
gard, have never doubted. But the Convention
were OF opinion that the use of my name was neces-
sary, as well 10 enable the Democracy of New York
to carry forward with a reasonable prospect of ulti-
mate success the great principle for which they con-
tended, as to sustain themselves in the extraordinary
position to which they had been driven BY the inius-
tee Of others md that tI. ii - - 1
long existed between us, gave them a right so to use
II, not only without my consent but against nv
known wishes. Entertaining these views, they de-
cldeu 10 nominate me, and omitted to give me the
usual notice OF their proceedings.
The reasons why | did not feel myself at liberty
to interpose any further obstacles to their wishes.
have been given 10 the public, and need not be re-
peated.
1t is in this form that my name. as n candidate for
the Presidency, has been brought before the people,
occupying this position, | shall feel myself honored
by the support OF an assemblage so enlightened and
patriotic, and SO devoted TO the maintenance of The
great principle we contend for, as that in whose he.
half you have addressed me.
| have examined and considered the platform
adopted ny the buiialo Convention, as defining the
political creed Of the Free Democracy" with the
attention due TO the grave subjects which it embra-
ces, and the Interesting circumstances under which
il is presented. II breathrs the right spirit. and nre.
sents a political chart which, with the EXPLANATION,
am about 10 make, | can, ia good faith, adopt and
sustain.
In regard to the chief topic of the resolution. il is
not to he doubted, that the present Unprecedented
movement Of the public mind in the non-slavehold.
ing States, upon the subject of slavery, is caused
mainly by an earnest desire to uphold and enforce
the policy in regard 10 it, established by the found.
ers Of the Republic. That policy, in addition to the
prospective prohibition OF the foreign slave trade,
was
LIST. Adequate, efici mt, and certain security
against the extension of slavery into territories where
it did not practically exist.
ID. That in the language Of your own condens.
ed and excellent resolution, "Slavery in the sever,
al States Of this Union which recognize is existence,
should depend upon State laws, which cannot be
repealed or modified by the Federal Government"
and
Sd. A spirit Of considerate forhearance toward.
the institution, in localities where it was placed IN,
der the control of Congress.
By a wise observance of this policy, we have
until recently, been enabled to neutralile the lniu.
rious tendencies Of an element Of discord, more dif
6cult to deal with than any TO which our free insu
tuions are exposed. But unhappily for the presen
harmony, and possibly for the future welfare OF on,
beloved country, q prttenSion has beoa recently se
up by our brethren OF the slaveholiing States, i.
regard to the first branch of this policy, SO inadroi.
slble upon principle, and 50 revolving TO our feel
ings, as 10 produce a rush of public sentiment I,
wards the point OF resistance, which with a pouul,
non so consIderats and 20 Staid as ours, is ner.
sseu, except when a conviction exists that the hon
or and SAFETY Of the country are at stake, and tho
always. A train of occurrences, all tending to IN
same general end, which have, for q few wears nas
followed earh other In rapid succession, has rnjs.
this feeling to an elevation hitherto unknown. an
produced resolves which il is not in the pover Il
lndividualE 10 induce the people 70 reoede from
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,-s srr--.e-,7 c';ss 7.IIa ,ts~ have axe. A.