Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-04
Gen. Cas>. Letter Of Acceptance.

OcratiC nnrinatIoH Tor the freSaueucN
from Gen. Cass. in reply 10 the letter OF
the officers of the National Convention
informing him of his nomination:
WASHINGTON. May 80. 1913.
Gen,lemen-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt o. your letter OF
the Goth instant. announcing 10 ME that
h ad been nominated bv tn convention Of
the democratic party is candidate for the
office of President of In" United States
at the approaching election.
While I accept, with gratitude. this dis
,inguished honor--and distinguished in
deed it isl do so with fearful appre-
hension of the responsibility it may event
uallv bring with the profound conviction
that it i, the kind confidence of my fell
low citizens. far more than any merit Of
my own. which has placed me thus promi-
nentlv before the American people. And
fortunate shall be. if this confidence
should find. in the events OF: the future.
better justification than is furnished by
those of the past.
! have carefully read the resolutions Of
the Democratic National C1n'en'ion. lay
ing down the platform of our political faith.
and adhere to them as firmly as l APP
prove them cordially. And while thus
adherng to them. shall do SO with
sacred regard 10 1.-THE principles and con-
promises Of thc constitution, and with
an earnest desire for their maintenance.
..in a spirit OF moderation and broiherly
love. SO vitality essential 10 the perpetuiiy
of the Union. and The prosperity and hap
pinesS of our common country "a icel-
ing which has made us what we are. and
which, IN humble reliance upon Provi-
dcnce. we may hope is but the beginning
of what we are 10 be. If called upon
hereafter to render an account Of my
stewardship, in the great trust and desire
to commit to me. should be able to show
that had truly redeemed the pledge thus
publicly given. and had adhered TO the
PRINCIPLES Of Inc democratic party with as
much fidelity and success AS has general
" marked the administration Of the emil
nent men to whom that party has hitherto
confidcd the chief executive authority OF
the government. | could prefer no higher
claim to the favorable consideration of the
country, nor to the impartial commcnda-
ton of history.
This letter, ecnt'e.'cn. closes my pro-
iession of political faith Receiving my
first appointment from that pure patriot
and great cxpounder Of American democ-
racy, Mr.. Jefferson. more than forty years
> ago, the intervening period Of life has
. been almost wholly passed in the service
Of my country; and has been marked by
1 many vicissitudcs, and attended with man !
trying circumstances, both in peace and
+ in war. If my conductin these situations,
!, and the opinions have been called upon
to form and express. for time to time. in
relation to all the great party topics of the
day. do not furnish clear exposition Of
my views upon them, and al the sa.tie
+ time sufficient pledge. ofmy faithful add
herence to their practical apple alton,
. whenever anG wherever may be requir-
' ed 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 nomi.
: nation by the democratic party, who has
u since established SO many claims to the
). regard and confidence Of his country
}. when announcing, four years ago his ac-
- ceptance Of a similar honor, announced
also his determine alton not to be a candid
ate for reelection. Coincidng with hin
in his views so well expressed, and sc
faithfully carried out, beg leave to say
j. that no circumstances can possibly arise
Is which would induce me again 10 permi
; my name to be brought forward in connec
/. ton with the chief magstracy Of on
r, country. My inclination and my sense
d of duty. equally dictate This corrse.
II No party, gentlemen. had ever highe
y motives for exertion, than has the grea
It democratic party Of the United States
j. With an abiding confidence in the recti
81 tude Of our principles. with All uhshakel
70 reliance upon the wisdom Of public opin
ion, and with the success which has crown
ed the administration Of the government
when committed to its keeping. (and it ha
!. been so committed during more than tire
c, fourths Of its existance,) what has bee
te done, is at once the reward Of past exer
r. ton and the motive for future. and at tn
oi same guarantee forthc Accomplishment
rs Of what we have TO do. We cannot con
n ceal from ourselves that there is a part
n in the country, differing from us in regar
to many Of the fundamental principles {
- our government, and opposed 10 us j
to their practical application, which wi
ID strive as zealouslv as we shall, to sccur
e. e. the ascendency Of their principles by Sc
~ -, curing the election of their candidate i
to the coming contest. That party is con
e. posed of our fellow citizens. as deeply il
terested in the prosperity Of our commo
~ country as we can be, and seeking a
tn earnestly as we are TO promote and Pc
e petuate il. We shall soon present to tn
en- world the sublime spectacle of the ele'
5; ton of Chief Magisirate by twenty mi
e. lions of people, without a single seriot
~ resistance to the laws. or the sacrifice
MS the life Of one human being-and this to
in the absence Of all force but the NOR
force of our institutions; and if we shout
add to all this, an example of mutual re
'ur peot for the motives Of the contending pa
Mt ties, so that the contest carried on wi
a.. Az that firmness and energy which accom-
70 pany deep conviction, and with as lit
ay personal asperity as political divisions pc
W. NIT. we should do more for human fire
~. dom throughout the world, Than by ar