The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-02

| j. H. Steele of II H. j. LarweIl of Ohio,
Chester w Chaplin ofMass Thos J. Rusk, of Texas,
| Ira Davis. of VT Austin T.. Wing of Mich,
B b. Thurston, of r. l., Solo w Downs. of La,
| Isaac Toucey, of Conn, Thos Martin. Of Tenn,
| q. ID. Wall of n. j., l.. Saunders, of KY,
| J. q. Jones, of Penn, James Clarke, of Iowa.
| A. J. Rainey of Ark. J. p. Hefenstein, of Wis,
| q. NJ. Bowers, of Mo, s. d. Davis, of Del,
| &. J. Mcdonald of Ga, b. c. Howard of Md,
| J. A. Winston, of Ala, Ed P. Scott of Va,
| j. c. McGehee, of Fa, w N Edwards, of N. c.,
POwhatan Ellis of Miss, j. Nj. Comma nder, OF s. o.,
! r. o. English, of H.,
| To General LEWIS CAss, Washington City
| REPLY
WAsHINcroN. May 80, 1S4S
| GENrLEMrN--I have the honor tolacknowledge the
receipt Of your letter of the 2Sh instant announcing
to me that had been nominated by the convention OF
the democratic party its candidate for the office Of Pre-
dent of the United States at the approaching cleo
| ton
While ACCEPT with deep gratitude, this distinguish
ed honorand distinguished indeed it isl do so with
n fearful apprehension of the responsibility 1t may
eventually bring with it, and with profound conyc-
zens far more than any merit of my own, which has
placed thus prominently before the American peo'
should find in the of the future, better just
| fcaton than is furnished by those Of the past.
have carefully read the resolutions of the Demo,
cratic National Convention laying down the platform
of our political faith and adhere to them as firmly
as approve them cordially. And while thus adhering
to them | shall do so with u sacred regard to the
principles and compromises of the constitution and
with earnest desire for their maintenance 4" in a
spirit of moderation and brothery love, vitality es
perity and happiness Of our common country !; feel
| ing which has made us what we are and which, in
humble reliance upon Providence we may hope Is but
the beginning of what we are to be- II called upon
hereafter to render account OF my stewardship in
the great rust you desire 10 commit 70 ms sou W
able to show that had truly redeemed the pledge thus
publicly given and had adhered to the principles OF the
democratic party with much fidelity and success
have generally marked the administration OF the emf
nent men to whom that party has hitherto confded
the chief executive authority of the government
could prefer higher claim to the favorable consider
a OF a.
ton of history
This letter gentlemen closes my profession of po-
Utica faith. Receiving my first appointment from
that pure patriot and great expounder Of American
democracy. Mr.. Jefferson more than forty years ago
the intervening period of my life has been almost
wholly passed in the service of my country and has
been marked by many vicissitudes and attended with
many trying circumstances, both in peace and war
If my conduct in these situations, and the opinions
have been called upon to form and express from time
to time in relation to all the great party topics of the
day, do not furnish clear exposition Of my views
specng them and at the time sufficient pledge
of my faithful adherence to their practical application
whenever and wherever may be required to act any
thing further might say would be mere delusion,
unworthy of myself, and justly offensive to the great
party in whose name you are now acting.
My immediate predecessor in the nomination by the
democratic party, who has since established so many
claims to the regard and confidence Of his country
when announcing, four years ago his acceptance OF
similar honor, nounced also his determination not
to be cand ate for reelection. Coincidng with
him in his views well expressed and so faithfully
carried out, beg leave to say. that circumstance
possibly arise which would induce me again to per
init my name to be brought forward in connection
with the chief magistracy of country My incl-
nation and my sense Of duty equally dictate this
coursc.
No party, gentlemen had higher motives for
exerton than has the great democratic party OF the
United States. With abiding confidence in the
rectitude of principles, with mistaken reliance
upon the energy and wisdom of public opinion and
with the which has crowned the ADM nistra-
ton Of the government when committed to its keep
ing, (and it has been committed during more than
hreefonrths of its exstence what has been done ~
|
for future. and at the time. guaranty for
the Accomplishment of what We have to do. We
cannot conceal from ourselves that there is pow
erful party in the country. differing from us in
regard to many of the fundamental principles OF
government and opposed t. US in their practical
application. which will strive zeaously shall to
secure the ascendancy Of their principles by
ing the election of their candidate in the coming
test That party is composed of our fellow citizens as
deeply interested in the prosperity of our
try be- and seeking as earnestly we arc to
promote and perpetuate 1t. We shall present Ia
the world the sublime spectacle of the election Of
Chief Magistrate by twenty millions Of people without
single serious resistance to the laws sacrifice
of the life OF human beng-and this too in the alb
of all force but the moral force Of our institu
tions; and if should add to all this, example OF
mutual respect for the motives of the contending
ties that the contest might be carried with that
frmncss and energy which accompany deep conviction
and with little personal asperty political divisions
permit should do more for the great cause OF huma
freedom throughout the world, than by any other tr
| butte we could render to its value.
We have a government founded by the will Of all
responsible to the power of ALL and admi Mustered for
the good of all The very first article in the democra
tic that the people competent 60
themselves; it is. indeed, rather an axiom than
article of political faith. From tAe days Of Gene
raj Hamilton to our days. the party opposed to us-of
whose pri ncpes he the great exponent If not the
founderwhile It has changed its has preserved
essentially its identity Of character and the doubt
he entertained and taught Of the capacity Of man
| for selfgovernment has exertcd n marked inlU-
cnce upon its action and opinions Here Is the
| very starting point Of the difference between the
two great parties which divide our country All other
| differences but subordinate and auxiliary tn
| this, and may, in fact, be resolved into il.
Looking with doubt upon the issue of elfgovcrnmcnt
party is prone to think the public authority should
be strengthened, and to fear any change. lest that
change might weaken the necessary Of the gov
ernmcnt while the other strong in its convictions Of
the intelligence and virtue of the people believes that
original power Is safer than delegated and that the
solution of the great problem Of good government
sists in governing with the least force and leaving in
dvidua action as restraint as is compatible
with the of the social system thereby
curing to each all the freedom which Is not essential to
the we'll being of the whole.
As party ought not to mistake the signs of the
times but should bear in mind that this Is age OF
progressof advancement in all the elements Of intel
| lectual power, and in the opinions of the world
| The general government should assume no powers
1t should exercise which have not been
clearly granted by the parties to the federal com
pact. We ought TO construc the constitution
strictly, according to the received and sound prin-
cples Of the Jefferson school But while rash expo
riments should be deprecated II the governmcn mt
IL stationary in its principles Of action. and
fuses to accommodate its measures within it's const
tutional sphere-cautiously indeed, but wisely and
| cheerfully-to the advancing sentiments and necess
ties Of the II will find its moral force impaired and
the public will determined to do what the public
! thorty itself should readily do when the indications
Of popular sentiment clear and clearly ex
pressed.
with great respect gentlemen, / have the honor tc
be your obcdient servant,
President of tn, Democratic Convention, and
| The VIcE PRESIDENTS Of the same.
|