Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-09-08
MIR. Van Buren'S Letter Of AcCHr.
tanGe.
LINnExwALp. Aug. %, 1913.

GENTLEMEN Il have had the honor TO receive
YOUR letter, giving me official information OF the
proceedings of the Buffalo convention. The com
POSITION character and proceedings OF that body
described by you, and the concessions OF feeling
and 10 some extent of opinions also on the part oil
its members, which enabled them TO unite then
exertions upon a common, and to the country, a
vitality important question, show 1t to have been
governed by a pure and lofty patriotism, and de-
tnand from me a grateful acknowledgement, Tor the
expression of confidence you have communicated.
Nv position in regard to the Presidential cleo
ton is peculiar one; and it is due to me that the
knowledge OF it, should beco extensive with that oil
every material step take in the canvass. In 1914,
/ announced my determination TO continue IN re-
trement the rest OF my life and my earnest desire
10 do so has been und minshed and lnvarlabe, from
That moment to the present. / declined, respect
fully but explicitly numerous offers from friends III
other States, to promote my nomination at the late
Baltimore convention; ana in the same spirit, reiu-
sed tiermisson to the New York delegation to pre-
sent my name to that body under any clrcumstan-
ces whatever.
The refusal would have been equally decisive, if
Il had been certain they would have had it in their
power 10 carry their friendly wishes into effect.
The New York delegation To the Utica convention
requested nv opinions in regard 10 the Obligations
lmposed upon them by the Baltimore nominations,
and the constItutionalIy and eXpediency OF pro-
hibtion by Congress- OF the introduction OF slavery
into territories now free from it. They also asked
wv consent to the use Of my name by the COnven-
t,oo rs its candidate fof the Presidency. | cheer
hlly gave them the opinions they desired but de-
clueG the last request absolutely. That they SIM
cerey desired TO respect my wishes IN this regard,
have never doubted. But the Convention were of
unnion that the use of my name was necessary, as
welt 10 enable the democracy OF New York to car
~ forward, with a reasonable prospect OF success,
the great principle for which they contended as to
sustain themselves in the extraordinary position TO
which they had been driven by the injustice OF 9TH
ers. and that the relations which had so long ex-
,,ed between us gave them right TO use il, not
oulv without nv consent, but against my known
wishes Entertaining these views, they decided to
nominate me, and omitted TO give me the usual no
tce OF their proceedings
The reasons why did not feel myself at liberty
10 ln,erpose any further obstacle 10 their wishes
have been given to the public, and need not be he.
peaed
II IS i'm this form that my name as a candidate
far the Presidency has been brought before the peo
nile Occupying this position, feel myself honor
oil by the support OF an asstmblage so enlightened
and patriotic and so del Otpd TO the maintenance OF
the great principle contend Tor, as that IN whose
behalf YOU have addressed me
have examined and considered the platform
adopted by the Buffalo Convention, as defining the
political creed OF the Tree democracy, win the
attention due To the grave SUBJECTS when II efnora-
&C. and the interesting circumstances. under " hch
!. !, presented. 1t breathes the right sprlt, and
r,c.eIl, poli,icA chart which. with the eXplana-
tom, / am about 10 make | can, III good faith,
adopt and sustain.
IN regard to the chief topic Of the resolution, IT is
not Ia be doubted, that the present ""pr'ceoen'eu
n.,,em,u, o the public mlnd IN the non slaNehoI
ding states. upon the SUBJECT o. slavery Is caused
moHiy 10y an earnest desire 10 upho." ana '''.o'Ce
the pulley ~ regard 10 II, Established ny lue 'o"H-
,cg, OF the republic. That policy III "urh"h l"
Tire prospective prohibition OF the oieIsh SLAVE 'Ta'e
US
l't Adequate, chcIen' an" 't''"" S't"'iy
Against the extension OF slavery mo eIIl'ol'eS
where II did not practically exist
ID. That IN the language OF your own 'ohoe'scu
aud excellent resolut on, "'INeiy- III tie several
STATES ol the Union which recognize IlS existence
Shouh depend upon stale laws Nh'ch cannot DC
repealed OF modified 10y the Federal "o\erNheh'j
aud
81 4 spirit of cousidCratc torbearance towards
tae institution. in localities where 1t Was placed
uulcr TIE control of Congress.
B,aWi,e Observance OF this polcy.ve have I'M
III recently been enabled to neora'ze the injurious
tendencies OF an element OF dIscor'' more dilicIl'
to deal with than any to which our lice i"s'i'u-
nnu> are exposed. But unhappy tor tne present
harmony aud possibly Tor the future welfare OF our
beloved country pretcnson has been up by
our brethren o the slaveholdng states IN regard to
the f,t branch o this policy. SO Inadm ssbe upon
principle aud 50 re-, oung 10 our feelings as To pro-
dutc a rash O. public sentiment towards the point
oi resistance which with a population 50 conslre-
and 81 stid as ours IS never seen except when
Il con,lctun exists that the honor or safety OF The
country are At stake and then always. a tram OF
occurrences, all tending 10 the same general end,
winch have tor few years past, followed each
other IN rapid succession has raised this feeling to
All elevation hitherto unknown, and produced re
SOLVE, which il is no IN the power OF individuals
to induce the pcople to recode from. The Constl-
tu.ouall,y the Justice the humanity and eNnedien-
cv OF the ground they have taken, all 50 clear
As 10 preclude the pos. iblty OF a continued diver
>ty ct opinion or action in the non.sla' eholdIng
States
The consequence, that NAV result from this CON
Met of opIuinu between MS and those who are,
b,rply our o,r,,c,,,s II Their prctcIs ons are
,.,r.,.,ol -, l,n,,., nnlv to that ounlscjent
and h,I pro, i,e,rr =, Inch has hitherto protected
Our country. ,n rs Institutions from dangers which
have tbr,,iene3 tbc,n
The rl,i,, sol ~, b,. onr Southern brethren, is
,en,rt,re from rho r,,,torm raised by our common