Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-04-21
A Letter from Mr.. Van Buren,.

AT the Festival in honor of the birthday Of
Henry CLAY, in New York, the following adj
mirablc letter from Ex.President VAN buren,, in
reply to the invitation Of the Committee, was
read. IT is in the highest degree honorable to
that distinguished CITIZEN and was received, as
il warmly deserved to be, with great applause
nine hearty cheers greeting its conclusion. 1t
affords us the sinccrest qualification to lay 1t
before our readers, as a high-mnded and gem
crous, no less than frank, manly and dignfied
tribute from one great political Leader to an
other. We should be sorry to believe (Which
we do no) that Mr.. CLAY is a whit behind his
courteous opponent in the possession OF, or the
willingness to manifest, the qualities which
prompt such letter: -
New YoRK, 18th April, lSis
Gentlemen Il have had the honor to receive your
polite invitation for the 18th instant, and thank you
very sincerely for the obliging terms III whcn you
have been pleased to communicate the wishes OF your
associates
I hone 10 be able TO leave the city before the It'll
instant Candor requires to add that the position
in which Mr.. Clay has been placed by ms trends III
relation TO the pending canvass ior the ftesdency'
will unavodaby attach too much OF partisan cnar-
TO your festival TO permit me to participate IN 1t
consistently with my views Of proprety.
The rule have prescribed to myself in such matters
|
| like circumstances by my political friends
do not, however, regret that your pollteness mas
made proper for me to say that you DO no more tha
Justice my feelings in assuming that appreciate as
| they deserve the commanding talents and manly
fiankness which have been often displayed by your
distinguished friend in the councils OF the nation and
that have sufficient candor and beraty TO recog-
nize those characteristics in political opponent.
To you who understand the matter 81 well, it will
he superuous speak Of the very wide difference OF
opinion which has for many years existed. and still
does exist between Mr.. Clay and myself in regard to
almost every public question: But we are fortunately
too liberal allow such differences to affect njuri
ously our personal relations. 1t would essentially d.
minish my seirespect to believe that I am capable Of
claiming, as always have done, the utmost freedom
OF opinion for myself and unjust enough to deny the
same privilege to those who opposed to me. Ic
embtcr the few enjoymcnts which public life affords
by an Indulgence in sentiment 50 contracted and
Liberal, is weakness which il IS my happiness TO be
eve have been as free from as the infrmtes OF oul
nature will permit.
Nv personal relations with Mr. Clay are Of n very
friendly character, and have witnessed the recent
demonstration OF personal regard and political dcvo
ton on the part OF his friends in this city, with
other feeling than respect. A determination SO eur
nest and unfolding to sustain, as long public sta
ton is agreeable to him, an aged statesman who hal
spent large portion OF his life in unfolding principles
which those who exhibit that determination regard
having the public good for their object, is demon
staion at once honorable to those who make it, AM
well calculated to ins into the minds OF the youn,
of the country higher and puer motives for polt
ical union than those which mere party warfare to-
often ELECTS. am. gentlemen,
Very respectfully.
Your obedient serv't
NJ. VAN BUREN,.
c.. V. Bradford, James R. Wood, NJ. L. Davis, Com
nlIttep.