The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-06-16
Cen. Cass, Acceptance.

instant, announcing to me tnat have been
nominated by the convention Of the democrat
ic party, its candidate for the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States, in the approaching
election.
" lille l accept with deep gratitude, this dis
tinguished honor--and distinguished indeed it
isl do so, with a fearful apprehension Of the
responsibility it may eventually bring with it;
and with a profound conviction that il is the
kind confidence ofmy fellow-citizens, far more
than any merit of my own, which has placed
me thus prominently before the American peo-
Die. And fortunate shall | be, if this conf
dence 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, laying down
the platform of our political faith, and I adhere
to them as firmly as approve them cordially.
And while thus adhering to them, | shall do 50
with a sacred regard to the principles and
compromises Of the constitution and with an
earnest desire for their maintenance Sin a
spirit Of moderation and brOtherly love, so Vi
tally essential to the perpetuity of the Union,
and the prosperity aud happiness of the common
country" a feeling which has made us what
we are, aud which, in humble reliance upon
Providence, We may hope is but the beginning
Of what we are to- be. If called upon hereafter
to render an account Of my stewardship, in the
grea. trust you desire to commit to me, should
l be able to show tbatI 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 general
y marked the administration, oil the eminent
men 10 whOmthot party has confded the chief.
executive authority ofthe government, l could
prefer no higher claim to the favorable consid-
Grafton of the country, nor to the impartial
commentator Of history.
This letter, gentlemen, closes my profession
Of political faith. Receiving my first appoint
ment from that pure patriot and great expoun-
der Of American democracy, Mr.. jefferson,
more than forty years ago, the intervening peri
cd ofmy life has been almost wholly passed in
The service ofmy country, and,has been mark
ed BY many vicissitudes and attended by 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 a clear exposition Of my views respect.
ing them, and at the same time a sufficient
pledge of my faithful adherence to theirpracti-
cal application, whenever and wherever | may
be required to act, anything further | might
now 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 estnb-
lished as many claims to the regard and conf
dence Of his country, when announcing four
years ago, his acceptance Of similar honor,
announced also his determination not TO be a
candidate for reelection. Coinciding with
him in his views SO well expressed, and so well
carried out, beg leave to say, that no circum-
stances can possibly arise which would induce
me again to permit my name to be brought for.
ward in connection with the chief magistracy Of
our country. My inclination and my sense of
duty equally dictate this course.
No party, gentlemen, had ever higher mo-
tives for exertion than has the great democrat
ic party Of the United States. With an abiding
confidence in.the rectitude of our principIes.
with an mistaken reliance upon the energy
and wisdom Of public opinion, and with the
success which has crowned the administration
OF the government, when committed to its
Keeping, (and ithas been so committed during
more than three iourths of its existsnce,) what
has heen done, is at once the reward Of pas,
exerslon and the motive for future, & at the same
time, q guarantee for the accomplishment OF
what we have to do. We cannot conceal from
ourselves that there is a powerful party in our
country, differing from us in regard to many Of
the fundamental principles Of our government.
and opposed to us in their practical application
which will strive as zealously as we shall, to
secure the ascendency Of their principles, BY
securing the election Of their candidate for the
coming contest. That party is composed of
our fellow-citizens, as deeply interested in the
prosperity Of our common country as We can be
seeking as earnestly as we are to promote and
perpetrate it. We shall soon present to the
world The sublime spectacle Of the election of
a Chief Magistrate by twenty millions Of peo-
pie, without a single serious resistance TO the
laws, or the sacrifice Of the life Of ono human.
b%eihg-and this, TOO, in the absence Of all force
but the moral force Of our institutions: and If
we should add to all this, an example Of nation
al respect for the motives Of the contendino
parties, 50 that the contest might be carried on
with that frmness and energy which accOmpo-
ny deep conviction, and with as little personal
asperi'yas political divisions permit, we should
do moro Tnr the wroat 49, - -