Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-07-15
UTICA CONVENTION.


We copy. below the most important parts
Of the letter of Ex.President VAN buren,
10 the Convention of that portion of the
democracy of New York, denominated
Barnburners, recently held a. Utica.
The letter of Mr.. Van Buren, is in an.
swer to a communication from the New
York city delegation 10 the Baltimore Con.
vention. To the proper understanding of
the answer, It is only necessary TO copy
from it the following passages:
The great Jeffersonian doctrine now
boldly repudiated at the south, and by too
many tamely surrendered at the north, that
slavery, or involuntary servtude. should
not, by any action Of the Federal Govern
ment. be extended to the free territories of
this Union, deserves, in connection with
other and time.honored doctrines Of the
Democratic party, to be represented by a
standard bearer of the highest encomium
for ability and worth. and such one, you
will permit me to say, we shall present in
YOU, should we be authorized to name you
as candidate for the consideration of the
convention.
Should you feel yourself required to ad-
here 10 your previously expressed de,ermi.
nation not again to be made candidate,
we earnestly hope you will not withhold
from US your opinions and views, as well in
regard to the action Of the Baltimore Con-
ven,ion, and The obligations, whether of du-
n a,
cy of New York towards The nominations
made by that body. and the course proper
at the present crisis TO be pursued by the
democracy of New York as to the great
issue before the countryside extension OF
slavery 10 territory now free.
In the first portion of the letter, Mr..
Van Buren, reilera,es the determination ex-
pressed in 1914, of remaining in private
life; he reviews the proceedings of the
Baltimore Convention. at length, and sus.
tains the Barnburners in their course, and
advises them to persevere, and make sep
arate nomination.
We begin his letter at the close of his ar
gumen, against the proceedings of the Bal
timore Convention:-
cannot under such circumstances re.
frain from concurring with you in The opin-
ion that the decisions of that Convention
are in no degree binding upon the democ-
racy of this State, or entitled to any other
weight in their estimation than as an ex'
preston of the wishes and opinions of res
pectable portions of their political associates
and friends in other States. qualified as
their expression is, by the acts by which it
has been accompanied.
You also desire my views in regard to the
prohibition by Congress, of slavery in ter,
ritories where it does not now exist, and
they shall be given in few words and in
manner which will not, hope. increase il
it does not diminish, the existing excite
ment of The public mind.
The ilustrious founders of our Govern
ment were not insensible to the apparent
inconsiste ncy between the perpe,ua,ion O.
slavery in the United States, and the .Prin
ciples of the revolution. as deliniated IN tn
Declaration Of Independence; and they
were too ingenious in their dispositions 't
attempt to conceal the impressions b!
which they were embarrassed. But the!
knew also, that ito speedy abolition in sew
eral of the States was impossible, and II
existence in all, without fault on the par
'of the present generation. They were a