Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-09-02
MR.. VAN BUREN's ACCEPTANCE OF THE
NOMINATION.

Mr.. Van Buren, has written letter three
columns long, accepting the nomination for
the Presidency, rendered him by the Buffalo
Convention. 1t is vigorously written, and sets
forth ,olerably clearly tie views he now EN-
tertains, especially respecting slavery He
says that the movement in the north OH the
subject OF slavery evidently springs from
desire TO uphold and enforce the policy in re-
gard 10 it established by the founders of the
republic, of which these are the leading
points:
1st. Adequate, efficient and certain secur.
'y against the extension Of slavery into terri
tories whore ii did not practically exist,
I'd That in the language of your own con-
densed all excellent resolution, "Slavery in
The several States of this Union which recog-
nize lis existence, should depend upon the
State laws, which cannot be repealed or mod.
flied by the Federal Governmen, - and
Sd. A spirit of consderate forbearance to.
ward the institution, in localities where i,
was placed under the control of Congress.
| The pretentsions of the Southern States.
States, he says, are in conflict with this,
which he proceeds TO show. He cites The
fact that Mr.. Polk has just signed the bill ex-
clnding slavery from Oregon, as conclusive
proof of the consiitutionality of the measure,
and reviews at length the various pleas set up
by the Southern States. In regard 10 the abo.
lition of slavery in the District of Columbia,
he says his declaration that his views on that
point remained unchanged, in his Utica letter
was hastily made. He would not n,erpose
veto, if President, 10 the passage of bill
His own language is as follows
must not, however, be understood, either
by what I now say or by what was said in
my letter TO the New York Delegation at Uti-
ca, as repeating the declaration that would,
if elected, withhold, my approval from bill
for the abolition Of slavery in the District.
could not now give any such assurance, for
the reason, that the circumstances BY which
the question is now surrounded are widely
and materially different from what they
were when the declaration was made; and
because, upon question of expediency, cir
cumstances must control. AT that time, the
apprehension was honestly entertained, that
there was danger of a servile war, in conse-
quence Of the extent to which the agitation
of this question had been pressed.
Participating in this apprehension and be-
lieving that such Il declarations in advance of
any action of Congress upon the subject,
would have salutary influence in allaying
excitement, and warding off the danger which
menaced the peace of the slaveholding States
did not hesitate 10 make it. Whilst, on the
one hand, all grounds for this apprehension
have passed away, we are, on the other,
threatened with subversion of the spirit and
character of our government, through the
successful encroachments of the slave power
If, under such circumstances, two branches
of the national legislature should decide that
due regard for the public interest requires
the passage of such a law, | should not if
President, think it within the line of my du-
ty to arrest its passage by the exercise of
the veto power.
He further declares himself in favor of !
just system of internal Improvements, though |
how far he would 90 into that matter he does
not say.
In regard TO the public lands, these are his
opinions;-
First That Congress ought to act upon the ,
principle that the United States have grea-
ter interest in the early settlement and SUBJ
stantantial improvement of the public lands
than in the amount of revenue which may
be derived from them.
Secondly That the accumulation of large |
tracts in few hands should be discountenan-
ced, and
Thirdly. That liberal facilities ought 10
be afforded for the acquisition of small por-
tions, by such Of our citizens, wherever re-
siding, as are in good faith, desirous of pos
sessising them as homes for themselves and
their families,
He also prefers system Of direct taxation
TO the present one OF collecting duties by i'm
posts on goods imported, but for the present
supports tariff for revenue.