Democratic banner., 1848-06-12
Gen Cass' Reply,
WAsHGNGroN, May 80, 1915

WASHINGTON, May ooj 1910.
GENTLEMEN: | have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your letter of the
20th: inst, announcing to me that have
been nominated by the Convention of the
Democratic party its candidate for Of
fee of President of ths United States, at
the aPProaeIi&ssrrctfon.
MlLaHre I accept, with deep gratitude, this
distinguished honor-and distinguished in
deed it isl do so with a fearful apprehen-
sion of the responsibility it may eventually
bring with it, and with a profound c%onvic-
ton, that it is the kind confidence of my
fellow-citizens, far more than any merit of
my own which has placed me thus prom
inently before the American people. And
fortunate shall be, ifthis confidence should
find, in the events Of the future, a better
justification than is furnished by those of
the past.
| have carefully read the resolutions of
the Democratic National Convention, lay
ing down the platform of our political faith
and ! adhere TO them as firmly, as | approve
them cordially. And while thus adiering
to them, | shall do so with a sacred regard
to the "principles and compromises of the
constitution" and with an earnest desire
for their maintenance stin a spirit of moder-
alton and b~rotherly love, so vitality essen
tial to the perpetuity ofthe Union, and the
prosperity and happiness of our common
country" a feeling which has made us what
we are, and which, in humble reliance up
on Providence, we may hope is but the
hcnIntpn nf uuhaf ,yo - 70 h. c ooI,l
upon hereafter to render an account of my
stewardship, in the great trust You desire
to commit to me, should | be able to show
that | had truly redeemed the pledge thus
publicly given, and had adhered to the
principles of the democratic party with as
much fidelity and success as have generally
the administrator of the eminent
men to whom the party has hitherto conf
ded the chief executive authority of the
government, l could prefer no higher claim
to the favorable consideration of the IL
try, nor to the impartial commentator of
This letter, gentlemen, closes my pro-
Of political faith. Receiving my
appointment from that pure patriot and
great expounder of American Democracy,
Mr.. Jefferson, more than forty years ago,
intervening period of my life, has been.
almost wholly passed in the service of my
C 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 o.
/ have been called upon to form and
express, from time to time, in relation to
all the great party topics of the day. donot|
a clear exposition of my views re-
them, and at the same tire a suf-
pledge of my faithful adherence to
practical application, whenever and
whatever | may be requir to act, any
further | might no, !, would be
mere delusion, unwort myself, and
justly offensive to the rty in whose
name you are now &C
My immediate predeerssO,4.l the nomin-
nation by the Democratic party, who has
established SO many claims to the re-
gard and confidence of his country, when.
announcing four years AGO., his acceptance
of a similar honor, announced also his de-
not to be a candidate for rec
lection. Coincidirg with him in his views,