The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-07-03
The Barnburnsrs and Marin Van Buren,

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That portion of the democratic party Of New York
known by the musical and expressive title of Barn
burners, held their Convention at Utica. "A cores
pondence which took place between some of the
delegates and Martin Van Buren, was submitted to
the Convention These gentlemen addressed Mr.
Van Buren,, to know whether he would be The can
didate Of the Convention for the Presidency, and
requesting his views in regard to the action of the
Baltimore Convention, to the proper course to be
pursued by the democracy of New York, and in
relation TO the great issue before the country-the
extension of slavery I'd territories now fee' To
this epistle Mr.. Van Buren, replies length but we
prefer giving the main points of his letter to pub
fishing the whole.
FtrSt He positively and peremptorily refuses to
be the candidate, in words about which there can
be no non-commttalisin After alluding TO the let
ter written by him IN favor Of Polk and Dallas, he
says:
But while in good faith thus ischarging what regarded
TO be my duty it did fail occur to me at the clrcun
had long desired when could retire from public life consist
entity with what due TO the country, friends and
From that dag TO the presents lRy Dd mas for mo-
ae 9a0ered fg regard g The determination then aRnoel
ced At early period In the present canvass and before
the democratic mind could be regarded having taken any
affirmed my resolution in this regard in letter worthy
citizen OF Pennsylvania which has been extensively pub.
ished and in many Others with which was not deemed ne.
cessary trouble the public "A friendly application from
delegates 70 the last National ConYenol for authority
TO use my name candidate if they could under pro.
per circumstances made it. appeaTed to be informed
my unpleasant duty TO refuse consent to their doing
and SO long occupied this position, your fendship
and past indulgence to be excused for repeating M
pubic oce The fact Of my having long since retired fon,
public e with 1acit appreciation Of my friends gives
right to III while in the political field willing
ceye honor and advancement at tie hands OF my political
friends did not show myself at all times ready obey
without regard to personal consequence Their calls to posts
OF difficulty failed TO make myself understood by those
whom was most anxious to serve
Second. He reviews at great length the proceed
ings ofthe Convention at Baltimore, and concludes
cannot under such circumstances, refrain from concur
ring with YOU in the opinion that he decisions OF that Com
yenton degree binding upon the democracy Of this
asan expression of the wishes and opinions OF respectable
portions OF political associates and friends in other States
qualified as their experience Is by the acts by which It has
been accompanied s.
Third Upon the question of extending slavery
he speaks as follows:
The lustnous founders of our government were not nsen
Of slavery in the United States and the principles Of the Re-
vouton Is deneated in the Declaration of Independence
and they ingenious their dispositions conceal
the impressions by which they were embarrassed But they
knew, also that It's speedy abolition in several OF the States
was impossible and its existence in all whout fault on the
mari of the present genestio They were Ia to rioht
and the aterna feelings whehhad carried them through the
struggle for Independence too strong permit them
deal with such upon any other principles than those
of beraty and Justice The policy they adopted was to
guarantee TO the States IN which slavery existed an exclusive
control the subject within their respective Jurisdictions
but prevent by united efforts its extension territories of
the United States in whicit did not in fact exist.
On all sides the most expedient means to out this
policy adopted with aacrlty and good feeling Their
st step was TO- ntedct the Introduction OF slavery INTO the
Norhwe Territory covered by the States of Ohio
Indiana Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, This may just
g be regarded as beng IN the main, Southern measure
The subject was first brought forward in Congress by Mr.
Jefferson Virginia made the cession of territory upon which
the ordinance was INTENDED TO operate and the representa-
tiveS from all the sayehoding States gave unanimous
support Doubts have arisen IN the minds OF some whether
the ordinance of 1877 authorized by the articles of
federation. bill introduced in the constitution
has since been treated and regarded valid act This
bill received the constitutional appreciation of President
Washington whose highest and sworn duty it to
port the Constitution under winch was enacted. NOrWas
the North backward IN DONG Us part to sustain the policy
ton Of provisions in the constitution necessary and sufficient
to protect that interest the States and they did
The trouble apprehended the commencement of the
Government from this source, began to show itself early
as in the form of petitions presented TO Congress
upon the subject of slavery and the slave trade by the Qua
ke of Philadelphia and New or and by Dr. Franklin
PRECEDENT OF society for the promotion of abolition These
questions were the House OF Representatives referred
committee OF all but of whom were Northern
members, whose report as amended in COMMITTEES of the
Whole affirmed that Congress have power to interfere
the emancipation OF slaves, in the treatment OF them
within OF the States remaining with the several States
alone provide regulation therein which humanity and
| true policy might require"
The perseverance, and good faith with which both branches
Of policy thus adopted have, until recently been recog
Missed and carried cut highly honorable 10 the whole
country The peculiar liability OF the subject to be converted
into element Of political agitation well IN the slave
holding the nOnsaye holding States may have led to
occasional attempts to employ t. but these efforts have
been very successfully frustrated by the good and good
feeling Of tae people IN every quarter ot the gnlon a de-
ment sustaining and carrying into full effect the policy OF ITS
founders upon the subject of slavery the States and It's
tension to the Territories and the steps taken IN the non
savehOdng States to suppress or neutTalze undue agitation
the actors them But viii be readily perceived that this
could be given within the necessary limits of commu
ncation like the present must Therefore suffice to say that
from 1887 the date of the ordinance for the prevention Of
slavery in the Northwestern Territory, down to and incud
iaaaf NJ have
organizing Territories which hayesince become States all
Of which the constitutional s power e. G4mge e nteI .
States either directly clearly asserted By enact
ments which, matters OF authority, antamount 70 its
exercise and that at the only period when the peace of the
savehodng States supposed to be seriously endangered
he people OF the Moth of both parties Y which agitation
was paraized and the South treasured OF fidelity the
In the laws for Inc organization of the Territories which
now constitute the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan lii
The laws fo the organization of the Territories of Mississippi
pi Orleans Arkansas, Alabama and Florida. containing
in Congress over the subject Of slavery the Territories to
approved by Presidents Washington the elder Adams JEFF
ierson Madison Monroe Jackson and myself all bound by
oath Of office to withhold orr respective approvals from
laws whchwe believed uHeonstgtionaL II IN the passage
OF these Jaws auHng period OF han century and under
ike sectional divisions greater less participaoni
their enactment the parof The Representatives Of The slave
Of it, believe the plan devised By the founders of the Gov
venment including the fathers Of our political church. for
u
been 50 faithfully sustained and which has proven
full in preserving the union Of these States to be only the
wise which the wit OF man could have devised but the only
one consistent with the safety and prosperity OF the whole
country LIDO therefore desire to continued long
slavery EXITS in the United States. The extent 70 which
have sustained IN the various public stations have
pied is known 70 the country was at the time well
Rhat further in this respect than many of my best
snds could approve But deeply penetrated by thecouye
toa that slavery the only subject that could endangef our
blessed UniOn determined that no efOr on my part
within Che pale of the constitutions should be wanting 10
sustain its compromises they then understood and
it now source Of consolation to that pursued the
1 course then adopted.
The doctrine which the late Baltimore Convention has pre-
scented for the sanction of henaon IS in substance that the
laws have referred TO were but many violations Of me
constitution this instrument cOnfes power on Ton
gess to exclude slavery from the Territories has 80 Qlte
been done With the assent Of ALL This doctrine SCI
in the published opinion OF the highly RESPECTABLE FoieJ q
that Conventon who, 1t well known receiver tlaL vi
tneOn because he ayowed that opinoh and VINO u +
" certain, would not have received il if be han no uvs
tisproposed % give this doctrine the mei. sog
known TO our political system. BY the eleelq - "
advocate and supporter to the Presidency, III ~ e
proposed sanction OF the people Of me uhsl eaes w r
suit cannot be doubtful The policy ~ Fegad 70 W. excl
sion OF slavery to the TeHtor OF tne NEE INTO
which It has not yet been Intnoaucei, VIII -
the commencement Of the togeIlnel.; daa ne