New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-07-27

Immediately connected with the subject Of your IN
qairy In the years Is32 1896 1870 and Ic44 my name
,sss placed beiore the country with my consent
Is candidate for Offices In the Federal Government
on The three first referred % for the election
and the last for insi3On oy National ConVen'
,oD On each occasion the right oil the eiector 70 IN
teTrogate candidate who asks bis suffrage Tor puo1c
trust exercised chiefly BY political opponents
though occasionally by friends, 70 extent not sur
passed in this any other country sincere friend y
tns rgh its most enlarged sense and 10 hoera eA
ercise OF IT, prescribed other condition TO conpl-
snce with the numerous reqaests o. my lO
than that the inquiries should be made IN goOo al ana
even that overlooked Ia great number OF cases
These questions and replies embraced nearly IL MOI
quite every important point which mad nen arisen OF
inch in the opinion Of the DterrogstOrs might arise
Ia the administration Of the Federal Government were
extensively published and are OF course sun before
the country. Brought together they would mace a
volume respectable for ts sze, and the proof would
AFFORD VI nay respect for the wishes OF the people IN
this regard have, in addition occupied the once OIL
President for four Of great political excitement
during which period Executive responsibility was vol
unfairly assumed In regard 10 the most important OF
these questions whenever the pubic Interest required
and not unfrequently imposed ID regard 20 others
by political adverssres of great tact and ability pre-
paratory TO the Presidential campaign OF lsiO when
the importance OF the information to the public service
was not apparent
Had NV name been presented 10 the country under
circumstances similar to those which accompanied IT,
presentation either of the occasions alluded 70,
should pursue the same course now wncn theh iei IL
my duty 10 adopt.
But the circumstances Of my present position are
widely different and entitled think, 10 exercise
controlling Influence my obligations, and the rlgnls
In this regard as well Of the Industrial Congress OF
the numerous individuals who nave already made sim
lar applications 10 me
II j could have been weak enough IN the first in
stance believe tina; it would be 10 my power to rem
der services the country which could not be IA wei
or better performed by others, should not nave zen
myself At liberty to consult only my personal wishes
and interests in deciding upon the application OF my
friends in regard b. making me again candidate ioi
the Presidency or 4 ! could have suppOed that such
a use Of my by the Utica Convention was neces
cary either TO enable the Democracy OF TINS state to
sustain themselves against the great injustice which
had been done them al Baltimore, or TO the ultimate
OF the great If not the only apparent Issue be
fore the public and upon the maintenance OF which
believe the honor and future welfare OF the whole
country depend should not for similar reasons have
declined 20 comply with the application made ~ me by
the New York Delegation Not being able to concur IN
either assumption did all IN my power unnecessary
il may have been in regard 20 the Baltimore COnven
ZION prevent the OF my name, either there o. At
Utica as a candidate for place, which, though the
most honorable In the world did not In the absence OF
the motives 10 which have advored possess ior me
single attraction and which it was my earnest desire to
avoid
The Utica Convention, chiefly composed Of men and
the descendants OF men who have been my political
associates and fast friends from the commencement 70
the termination Of political career, believing that
the Of my name as candidate Tor the PRESIDENCY
essential 10 the proper support OF their principles
and the maintenance OF that independent position which
they had been driven by the injustice OF others to
asserted and exercised the right OF so employing
IL That they could. under existing circumstances do
This without exposing this fidelity 10 their old associates
In politics Just impeachment no candid mind, well
informed upon the subject will deny and understood
them too well to question the good faith OF their pro
ceedng.
knew very well that they would have respected my
known wishes in the matter II they had supposed that
they could do with justice TO themselves and to their
cause Placed az their feowctzen in the same stua
ton and bound to them by the strongest gratitude and
respect and holding the opinions for entertain
ing which they had been virtually expelled from all
communion with their old associates in the political
field could not hesitate in authorizing the declaration
that should not feel myself al liberty TO nerpose any
farther obstacle TO their proceedings could not but
anticipate that this decision might dssatsy many SIN
cere friends In all parts OF the Union who mad entitled
Themselves to my respect and warmest gratitude, ana
who were naturally more intent upon triumphms over
their adversary than upon attending 10 the dongs al
Baltimore. To the fullest exercise OF their opinion in
the matter had neither the night nor the disposition
10 object
have therefore received the rsmonstrances. how
able. which made, with that respect for the
right Of opinion in others which honest hearts and pure
minds seldom fail TO exercise with no other feelings
than those of profound respect, that circumstances
beyond my control had put out of my power to con
form TO the conflicting wishes OF friends Tor whom felt
equal respect and regard Obliged to conform my
in this particular matter TO the wishes OF
the other class of friends, whose difference among
themselves irreconclabe, usfords me satisfaction
10 reflect that inclined To that portion OF them who
seemed TO have the least their disposal and who
At the moment struggling for their political existence
against injustice aud attempted degradation
OF the course pursued by those who manifest their
displeasure by resort TO personal abuse but he need
be said That douson is only TO be piticd which al.
lows its victim 10 imagine that man who, Tor more
than forty years while he possessed strong personal
interest in the result OF political contests, had sosd
" pursued through foods ofesumpy, what he believed
10 be the path of duty, now, when his political
aspirations are fully satisfied, and when The public
taste In such matters has been greatly improved be
deferred ey personal invecive from pursuing the same
My name having been brought before the people in
the and under the circumstances have dc.
scribed (snd have made the description the more full
as hope to have this communication regarded "a ro.
ply also to many similar apphcsions) cannot think,
deceive myself in believing that stand justified IN de
Ginning as respectfully do all farther explanations OF
my political views and opinions An exposure TO the
mpgtatlon OF having changed my wishes IN regard 10
restoration to Office by thus seeming TO make terms for
political support would Of itself be great objection 70
answering inquiries 70 the'manner in which should,
II elected discharge the duties oi President OF the
United States
But the unprecedented extent to which have on
iomes occasions replied to such nierrogaiore and the
Indications OF my official course the very Office IN ques
ton, Will am very sure, be regarded by candid and
LIBERAL minds IS asiiiyns my decision so couprehen
slve have they been, that 1t would require not little
skil to shape any intenogsory into any political ques
non touching which my dispositions snd opinions may
not with reasonable certainty DC derived from them
The subject upon which you have addressed me Will
serve 10 Illustrate the truth OF this remark In August
1888 when hrst candidate for the Presidency said IN
reply 70 me sseiIoss'orics Of my political opponents
longing to all the states TO be disposed their com
mon benent.
That ample authority for that purpose had been con
furred upon Congress That in making such Opposition
tia, body should set upon the principle that the people
Of the United States have grester interest early
settlement and substantial improvement If the Public
Lands than in the OF which may be BE
rived fFou them That, 10 accomplish this object
the accumulation OF large tracts in few hands should
be disco9ntensnced and liberal facilities afforded for
toe acquisition OF small portions by such OF cu
gems wherever residing, IN good faith DESTROYS
Of possessing them homes for themselves and their
fsmihes
The substance OF these views repeated in my
hrst Annual Message to Congress TO large por.
rioas Of the public lands from spectators in them snd
70 secure them to sexual settlers wss the FIRST Pres.
dent who recommended the passage OF Presumption i
Law thus in degree adopting il IS the system Of the
Government and gave my sanction TO OF the most
liberal acts upon that subject that had been passed
by Congress I went farther For the avowed pur- I
pose of bringing the mesus OF acquiring an indie /
rendeuf home within the reach OF many who un. 4
able 70 purchase at present prices earnestly and per
seyerinely recommend TO Congress 10 Cause the value
OF the public lands in the old districts which had been
for certain time In market TO be appraised and csssed
in two or more rates below the sresen; minimum 4
pricer The effect OF which, carried out IN the spirit