Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-09-16
MR.. VAN BUREN'S LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE.
LINDENwoLD, Aug

GENTLEMEN: | have had the honor TO re.
ceive your letter, giving me official infor-
nation of the proceedings of the Buffalo
Convention. The composition. character
and proceedings of tina, body, as described
by you, and the concessions of feeling, and
10 some extent, Of opinions also, on the
part of its members, which enabled them
10 unite their exer,ions upon common, and
10 the country, vitality important ques-
ton, show it 10 have been governed by
pure and lofty patriotism, and demanded
from me grateful acknowle dgement, for
the expression of confidence you have &C.
cumulated.
NY position, in regard TO the Presiden-
,ial election, is peculiar onei and it is due
TO me, that the knowledge of it, should be
co-extensive with that of every material
step take in the canvass. In 1914, an.
nounced my determination to continue in
retirement for the rest of my life; and my
earnest desire TO do so has been undimn-
ished and invariable, from that moment TO
the present. declined, respectfully but
explicitly, numerous offers from friends in
other States, 10 promote my nomination at
the late Baltimore Convention; and in the
same spirit, refused permission 10 the New
York delegation 10 present my name 10 that
body, uhder any circumstances whatsoever.
The refusal would have been equally de-
cisive, il i, had been certain, that they would
have had it in their power TO carry their
friendly wishes into effect. The New York
delegation to the Utica Convention reques-
ted my opinions, in regard TO the obiiga-
lions imposed upon them by the Baltimore
| opI tho ,ti nj pn olitU and
expediency of prohibition, by Congress,
of the introduction of slavery into territor.
les now free from it. They also asked my
consent TO the use ofmy name, by the Con.
vention. as its candidate for the presiden-
cy. ! cheerfully gave them the opinions
they desired, but declined the last request
absolutely. That they sincerely desired to
respect my wishes in this regard, have
never doubted. But the convention were
of opinion, that the use of my name was
necessary, as well to enable the democracy
of New York to carry forward, with rea-
sonable prospect of Ultimate success, the
grea, principle for which they commended
as to sustain themselves in the extraordinary
position TO which they had been driven by
the Injustice ofothers; and that the relations
which had so long existed between US, gave
them right so to use il, not only. without
my consent, but against my known wishes
Entertaining these views, they decided Il
nominate me, and omitted to give ME thu
usual notice of their proceedings.
The reasons why did not feel myself a
liberty to interpose any further obstacle
to Their wishes, have been given TO the pub
: lie, and need not be repeated.
1t is in this form that my name, as can
. didate for the Presidency, has been brough
J, before the people. Occupying this Posi,io
| shall feel myself honored by the supper
ofan assemblage SO enighteded and patriot
ic, and so devoted to the maintenance G
> the great principle we contend for, as tha
in whose behalf you have addressed me.
: have examined and considered the pla
form adopted by the Buffalo Convention
as defining the political creed Of the Sire
Democracy" with the attention due to Il
= grave subjects which il embraces, and Il
!. Interesting circumstances under which 1t
presented. II breathes the right spirit, ar
presents political chart which, with Il
r explanations | am about to make, can,
. good faith, adopt and sustain.
In regard to the chief topic of the res
utions, il is not 10 be doubted, that the pre-
ent unprecedented movement of the publ
mind in the non-slaveholding States up'
N. the subject of slavery, is caused mainly
ms an earnest desire to uphold and enforce
a policy in regard to it, established by I,
* *, founders of the Republic. That policy,
bv addition TO the prospective prohibition
IT, the foreign slave trade was
LIST, Adequate, efficient, and certain