Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-11-17
Letter from MIR. VAN Esurcn.

HAStAIr NLks
The following letter is in reply TO an in
vitation to be present at Fall River, Mass,
at a gathering of the Free Soil men of the
county of Bristol, which we extract from
the Boston Republican. The virulent and
slandcrous attacks upon Mr.. Van Buren, by
the partisans of Cass and Taylor, serve on
~ to awaken in him smile of contemptu
ous PITY The Sage of Lindenwad, the
disciple of Jefferson, conscious of the rect-
tude of his motives, and the lruthlulness of
his position, can safely rely on the verdict
of the "sober second thought of his coun-
trymen, who need but to know the truth to
do him Justice. We wouldn't like to re-
ceve the whitening rebuke that awaits these
"barterers of conscience" the slanderers Of
Mr.. Van Buren,, when the people become
possessed of the truth of the matters in con
trovcrsy The heart of the people is sound,
and they like not to be betrayed into doing
injustice. Let the villifiers beware A
day of reckoning will come.-Barnburner
LINDENwALD, Oct. 10Th, 1SfS.
Gentlemcn,-I lose no time in replying
TO your kind letter, inviting me to attend
Mass Convention of the Free Democracy
of the 9th Congressional District of AIassa-
chusetts, to be held on the Goth and 2lst
inst, in order to afford the people of that
Districtan opportunity to express TO me in
person their high appreciation of my con-
duct and position
The propricty ola personal participation
in political canvass by those WHO either
voluntarily become candidates for public
stations, or are made such by their friends,
is a question in respect to which different
opinions are entertained, arising doubles 10
a great degree from different habits in diff
lerent sections of our country. In mine
the public taste has been against it; and
having all my life conformed TO this feeling
it would not be agreeable to me TO begin a
different course now. This consideration
constrains me to decline most respectfully
a compliance with your request
The very impressive terms m which you
have been pleased to express the approval
of my conduct by yourselves and those you
represent, arc entitled to my grateful ac-
acknowledgements, certainly derive high
qualification from the reflection, that in
Withholding farther opposition to the wish
cs of the friends of my whole life TO place
me between them and their eppressors, /
added also testimony of my devotion to a
principle, which deemed vital TO the ma
tional walfare-to which | had already in
another form avowed my unaIterable adhe-
sion, and the advocacy of which is in per-
feet consistency with every act ofmy public
life. Having 2nlder SUch circumstances
consented to remain in my present posi-
ton, 1T was idle for any to imagine that one
who, whilst an ardent combatant in the po-
Iitical field never in single instance allow
ed himself TO be diverted from the line Of
his conviction by unmericd dcnunclation,
although exposed to larger share of it than
perhaps any other living man, could now,
when he does not retain a single unsalIslied
political aspiration, be driven from that po-
stion or je made unhappy IN Its occuPan-
CIV by the virulent assaults to which You so
delicately allude. Neither have the van
iiv to oppose that this extraordinary dis
play of political wrath is designed 10 coun.
leract any personal wishes of mine.
All other considerations apart, the saga
cious amongst my assallants cannot but
have become convinced that, however ar
dent nv desire for the triumph of ourcause,
| have not 50 far as my personal interests
or individual feelings are concerned, de-
sire for success i'll the coming election,
which would raise hand 10 promote, if
By so doing. | could make lis qualification
certain. 1t is not, therefore, 10 secure my
defeat. hit towards the overthrow of the
great principle we contend for, that those
disrcpulable efforts of our opponents, are
mainly directed. Regarding them IN this
LIGHT, am induced to look upon them wl.h
greater complacency.-IIoweFer potent
they might be to crush an humble individual
they must. unless the American people are
nreoared 10 surrender the elevated position
ihey have acquired in the great family ofna-
tiuns. prove futile 10 establish principle in
the administration of the Federal Govern
menl, which my octogcnarian friend, but
always political opponent Of your state,
Justly describes "atirocious;" albeit he sees
his way clear, doubtless conscientiously,t
support an eminent and mcriiorious citizen,
who does not appear to be sufficiently SEN
sible of that atlrociiy TO induce him to disa-
VOW the principle, which my venerable
friend denounces with such unsParing Sc
verify. am gentlemen,
Respectfully and truly yours,
NJ. VAN BUKEA.