Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-21

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
since established so many claims to the
regard and confidence Of his country, when
announcing, four years ago, his acceptance
Of a similar honor, announced also his de-
termination not to be candidate for re-
election. Coinciding with him in his views
so well expressed, and so faithfully car
ried out, ! beg leave to say, that no cir
cumstances can possibly arise, which
would induce me again to permit my name
to be brought forward in connexion with
the chiefmagistracy Of our country. My
inclination and my sense Of duty equally
dictate this course.
No party, gentleman, had ever higher
motives for exertion, than has the great
democratic party Of the United States.
With an alb ding confidence in the rect-
tude of our principles, with an mistaken
reliance upon the energy and wisdom Of
public opinion, and withthe success which
has crowned the administration of the go
yernment, when committed to its keeping,
land it has been so,compitted during more
than three fourths Of its existence, what
has been done, is at once the reward of
past exertion and the motive for future,
and, at the same time, guarantee for the
accomplishment Of what we have to do.
We cannot conceal from ourselves that
there is powerful party in the country,
differing from US in regard to many o. the
fundamental principles Of our government,
| and to opposed us in their practical applica-
ton, which will strive as zealously as We
shall, to secure the ascende.icy Of their
principles, by securing the election Of their
candidates in 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, and seek
ing as earnestly as we are to promote and
perpetuate it. We shall soon present to
the world the sublime spectacle of Chief
Magistrate elected by20, GOO, 900 Of people,
without single serious resistance to the
laws, or the sacrifice Of the life of one hu-
man being--and this, too, in the absence
Of all force but the moral force Of our in
stitutions; and if we should add to all this,
an example of mutual respect for the mo-
tives Of the contending parties, SO that the
contest might be carried on with that firm
ness and energy which accompany deep
conviction, and with as little personal as
perity as political divisions permit, we
should do more for the great cause of hui
man freedom throughout the world, than
by any other tribute we could render to
its value.
We have government founded by the
will of all, responsible TO the power Of all,
and administered for the good of all. The
very first article in the democratic creed
teaches that the people are competent TO
govern themselves; it is, indeed, rather an
axiom than an article of political faith.
From the days of Gen. Hamilton to our
days, the party opposed TO us-of whose
principles he was the great exponent, if
not the founder-while it has changed its
name, has preserved essentially its iden-
tity Of character; and the doubt he enter
tanned and taught Of the capacity Of man
for sel-government, has excited marked
influence upon its action and opinions.
Here is the very starting-point of the diff
ference between the two great parties
which divide our country. All other diff
ferences are but subordinate and auxiliary
to this, and may, in fact, be resolved into
it. Looking with doubt upon the issue of
self-government,o one party is pronet to think
the public authority should be strengthen
ed, and to fear any change, lest that change
might weaken the necessary force Of the
government; while the other, strong in its
convictions Of the intelligence and virtue
of the people, believes that original power
is safer than delegated, and that the solu-
ton Of the great problem Of good govern
ment consists in governing with the least
force, and leaving individual action as free
from restraint as is compatible with the
preservation Of the social system, thereby
securing to each all the freedom which is
not essential to the well-being Of the
whole.
As party, we ought not to mistake the
signs OF the times; but should bear IN
mind, that this is an age Of progress-of
advancement in all the elements of intel
lectual power, and in the opinions Of the
world. The general government should
assume no powers. 1t should exercise
none which have not been clearly granted
by the parties to the federal compact. We
ought to construe the constitution strictly,
according to the received and sound prin-
ciples of the Jefferson school. But while
rash experiments should be deprecated, if
the government is stationary in its princi-
Piles Of action, and refuses to accommodate
its measures, within its constitutional
sphere cautiously indeed, but wisely and
cheerfuly-to the advancing sentiments
and necessities of the age, it will find its
moral force impaired, and the public will
determined to do what the public authori-
ty itself should readily do, when the indi-
cations Of popular sentiment are clear and
clearly expressed. ,f-
With great respect, gentlemen, | have
the honor to be your obedient servants,
LEWIS CASS.
Hon. A. STEVENSON,
President OF the Democratic Convention,