The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-01
A. STEVENSON,
President National Convention.
To General LEWIS CAss,
Washington City.
Reply of Gen. Cass.
WASHINGTON, May 80, 1913.

GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
oil your of the 18th instant announcing me that
been nominated by the convention OF the democratic
party candidate for the Office Of President Of the United
| States at the approaching election
While accept, with deep gratitude. this distinguished
honor-and distinguished indeed it isl do with
rul apprehension Of the responsibility it may eventual
y bring with it, and with profound conviction that it is
the kind confidence of my elowcitizans far more than
any merit of my own. which has placed thus proni
neny before the American people. And fortunate shall
be- if this confidence should find, in the of the -
tire better Justification than is furnished by those of the
past.
have carefully read the resolutions of the Democratic
Nation al Convention laying down the platform OF po
ical faith and adhere them firmly, as approve
hem cordially And while thus adhering them, shall
do so with sacred regard to he principles and compro'
misses of the constitution and with desire for
their maintenance sin spirit OF moderation and broherly
love- vitality essential the perpenity of the Unon and
prosperity and happiness of common country "a
feeling which has made what we are and which, in
humble reliance upon Providence may hope Is but the
beginning of what to be- II called upon hereafter
render of my Stewardship in the great trust
DIES ire to commit to should be able to show that
had truly redeemed the pledge thus publicly gwen and
had adhered the principles of the democratic party with
much fidelity and success as have generally marked the
administration Of the eminent whom that party has
hitherto conided the chief executive authority of the
ernmen could prefer higher claim the favorable
consideration of the country the impartial
dation of history. assI
This letter. gentlemen, closes my profession of political
faith Receiving my first appointment from that pure pa
and great expounder of American democracy, Mr..
than forty years the intervening period
of my life almost wholly passed in the service of
my county, and has been marked by many vicssudes,
and attended with many trying circumstances, both in
peace and my conduct in these situations, and the
opinions have been called upon to form and express from
time in relation all the great party topics of the
day. do not furnish clear exposition of my views respect
ing them and the time a sufficient pledge of my
faithful adherence to their practical application whenever
1uh I ms he
might say, would be delusion, unworthy of
myself, and Justly offensive the great party in whose
name you now acting.
NV immediate predecessor in the nomination by the
democratic party who has since established many
claims the regard and confidence of his country when
announcing, four years ago, his acceptance of similar
honor announced also his determination to be cand
election. Coinciding with him in his views,
well expressed, and faithfully carried o beg leave
say that circumstances possibly arise which would
induce again permit my to be brought forward
connexon with the chief magistracy OF country My
inclination and my Of duty equally dictate this
| course
No party, gentlemen, had higher motives for exer-
tion than the great democratic party of the United
States With abiding confidence in the rectude OF our
principles, with mistaken reliance upon the energy
and wisdom of public opinion and with the success which
has crowned the administration of the government, when
,ommtte to its keeping, (and it has been committed
during more than theeourths of its exstence) what has
heen DONE is at once the reward Of past exeon and the
motive for future, and, at the same time, guarantee lo
| the accomplishment of what we have TO do. We cannot
conceal ourselves that there is powerful party in the
country differing from in regard to OF the fnnda
mental principles of government and opposed to us in
their practical application, which will strive zeaousy a.
we SHALL the ascendency Of their PIES by SC
urng the election of their candidate in the coming con
test, That party is composed of felowcitizens, as
deeply Interested the prosperity of our common country
"a we can be- seeking earnestly are TO pro
mote and perpeuae it, We shall soon present to the woro
tho sublime spectacle of the election of Chief Magistrate
by twenty millions of people, withouta single serious re-
sstance the laws the sacrifice of the life of human
beipg-and this too, in the absence of all force but the
moral force of our institutions and IL we should ada
all this an example mutual respect for the motives of the
contendng parties that the contest be carried on
with tina, and energy which accompany deep con
vicon and with little personal asperity political d.
visions permit should do more for the great o.
human freedom throughout the world than by any ohe
| tribute we could render to its value.
We have government founded by the viii Of all, respon
sibe power of all, and administered for the good O