Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-07-14


form is everywhere far more prevalent than il
has ever been, and when our republic stands
proudly forth as the gem excmpsr oflhe world
IN the science Of free government.
Who can believe that population like that
which inhsbils the non.slayeholding States, prO.
baby umouniingto Twelve emiiions. who by their
own ocIs, or BY the foresight Of others, have
been exempted from the evils Of slavery, can, al
such moment, be induced by considerations Of
any description, to make a retrogade movement
Of character so extraordinary and so painful
Such movement would, in my view Of The mat.
ter, and | say il with unieigned Difference TO the
conflicting opinions of others, bring a reproach
upon the influence Of free institutions. which
would delight The hearts and excite the hopes of
the advOcaIes Of arbitrary power throughout the
world.
Holding these opinions. you have duties TO
perform as important as they are delicate. In
the first place you should adhere inhexiby to
your opinions, as long as you believe them to be
right, and no longer. This you will do. In
the next place you should present your views in
regard 10 them, calmly and distinctly but firmly
to your political brethren of the sIayehodng
Suites, with full statement Of the reasons on
which they are founded, that those reasons may
be conroyerted if they are not sound. This
you have done. In other important respects
your positions are unassailable. The movement
10 advance the principle you desire TO promote,
was commenced in The right place, though, per.
haPs, not at the most desirable moment, and
was not accompanied by parlzan measures or
founded on political designs Of any description,
as far as know or have reason to believe. II
understand your course, your delegates went
10 the Convention prepared to accept the nomi.
nation Of any sound Democrat, who had not ac.
tually submitted TO test which implicated the
we'll known and repeatedly expressed opinion Of
our State, without inIerrogating him in regard to
his opinion on this particular question. In ta-
king this ground, you pursued the only course by
which the Democratic party Of the Union as
hitherto organized, can be perpetuated; and the
Just and fair minded men Of The party everywhere
will, when the present excitement has passed
away, approve your conduct. One thing more
and your whole action will, in the end, aurac
the attention and enlist the good feeling of al
just and generous minds. Let your farther pro-
cecdings in this whole matter be distinguished by
moderation and forbearance.
Injustice must be resisted indignites repelIed
and all this can be done with decency and with
out impeachment Of the motives of whole com
muniIies, on account of the conduct Of individ
uals. The situation of your political brethrer
in the ve.holding States, is not as favorable 4
calm discussion and dispassionate considerable
! as yours, and will therefore, in this respsc,,
; expected at your hands. If your difference
must continue, do you at least sustain your view
, without vituperation or unnecessary excitemel
Of any description. kxemplify your frmne.
and your confidence in the justice ofyour cause
by the best Of al! tests-the dignity and modera
ton with which you uphoIdit. When the elec
ton is over, aud reason resumes her empire. III
ground which has been taken by our Souther
brethren, will be reviewed with calmness, and
found to be untenable, you are bound 10 believ
that will be abandoned. If in this you are dis
appointed, twill still be consolation TO know
that you have done nothing unnecessarily, whic
could serve 10 exaspera ai.nations which ma
then become incurable.
Accept, gentlemen, my warmest acknowledg
ments for the obliging expressions contained !
your letter, and believe me to be Your friend,
N. VAN buren,.
To Messrs. Samuel Waterbury, David Dudle
=, Field, and others, New York.