Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-10

win cordial assent De
your Administration, if called to this high office by your
try, do for moment doubt but feel assured that
whilst you exercise forbeaance with mness you will fail
to exert your faculties maintain the principles and just
promises of the Constitutions in spirit of moderation and
brothey love, vitality essential to the perpetuy Of the
Union and the prosperity and happiness Of coun
Try We offer you sincere congratulations upon this dis
tngued mark of the public confidence, and are, with
timents of high esteem and regard, dear sir,
Your friends and obedient servants,
A. STEVENSON,
President National Convention.
[Signed also by the twenty-nine Vice Presidents.
To Gen. LIwis CAss, Washington.
GENERAL CAsss REPLY.
WAsHISGroS, MAY 80, ls4s.
GENTLEMEN have the honor acknowledge the re-
cep of your letter OF the 18th Instant announcing
that have been nominated by the Convention Of tho Demo
party its candidate for the office Of President of The
United States at the approaching election.
While accept with deep gratitude this distinguished hon
orand distinguished, indeed it isl do with fearful APP
prehension of the responsibility may eventually bring with
it, and with profound conviction it the kind conf
dence of my eow-cilzen far than any merit of my
own which has placed thus prominently before the Amer
people. And fortunate shall be this confidence should
nd the of the future, better justification than
| furnished by those OF the past.
have carefully read the resolutions of the Democratic Ma
tonal Convention laying down the platform of political
faith and adhere to them firmly approve them
daily and, while thus adheng to them, shall do with
sacred regard the principles and compromises OF the
siution and with desire for their maintenance
spirit Of moderation and bolhey love- vitality essen
a the perpetuy the Union and the prosperity and hap
pness of country " feeling which has made us
are and which, humble reliance upon Providence
may hope is but the beginning OF what be- Ii
called upon hereafter render of my stewardship
the great you desire commit me- should be able
/ IN that had redeemed pleIoe
gven and had adhered the principles of the Democratic par
~ with much fidelity and as have generally marked
the administration OF the eminent men to whom that party have
hitherto conded the chief executive authority Of the Govern
ment could prefer higher claim the favorable conside
ration of the country the impartial commentator Of
history.
This letter. gentlemen, closes my profession Of political faith
Receiving first appointment fom that patriot and great
expounder OF American Democracy, Mr. Jefferson than
forty ago. the intervening period of life has been al
wholly passed in the service of my country and has been
marked by many vcssudes and attended with many trying
circumstances both in peace and war; my conduct in these
situations and the opinions have been called upon torn
and express from time to tme relation to all the great par
ty topics OF the days do not furnish clear exposition OF my
views respecting hem and at the time sufficient pledge
of my faithful adherence the practical application whenever
aud wherever may be required act any thing further
might say would be deusion unworthy myself, and
justly offensive to the great party in whose you
acting
My immediate predecessor in the nomination by the Demo.
cratic party, who has since established many claims the
regard and confidence of his country when announcing four
years ago. bis acceptance Of similar honor announced also
his determination not TO be candidate for election. Coin
Gliding with him in his views well expressed and faith
fully carried out beg leave say that circumstances
possibly arise which would induce again permit my
be brought forward in connection with the Chief Ma
gsacy Of country My inclination and my Of duty
equally dictate this
No party gentlemen had ever higher motive for exerion
than has the great Democratic party of the United States
With abiding confidence in the rectude Of principles
mistaken reliance the and wisdom OF
public opinion and with the which has crowned the
administration Of the Government when committed TO its keep
ing, (and has been committed during than three
ourths OF It's exence what has been done IS al the
reward Of past exeron and the motive for future and at the
tme guaranty for the accomplishment Of what we
have do. We conceal from ourselves that there
powerful party in the country differing from in regard TO
many of the fundamental principles Of Government and
opposed TO in their practical application, which will strive
zeaousy shall the ascendency Of their pn
cpes by securing the election Of their candidate in the coming
That party composed OF fellow citizen deep
ly interested in the prosperity Of country
be, and seeking earnestly TO promote and
perpeuae it. We shall present 10 the world the sublime
spectacle Of the election Of Chief Magistrate by twenty mill
lions OF people, without single serious resistance 10 the laws
the sacrifice Of the life Of human being; and this too
in the absence Of all force but the moral force Of our nstu
tons and If we should add 10 all this example OF mutual
respect for the motives of the contendng parties that the
contest might be carried with that fmness and energy
which accompany deep conviction, and with e personal
aspery as political divisions permit we should 90 more Tor
the great Of human freedom throughout the world than
by any other tribute we could render to It's value.
We have Government founded by the will Of all respon
sbe 10 the power Of all and administered for the good Of all
The very first article in the Democratic creed teaches that the
people competent govern themselves IL is indeed,
Their axiom than article Of political faith From the days
Of Gen. Hamilton to days, the party opposed to uso
whose principles he the great exponent il the foun
dewhile il has changed its name has preserved essentially
its identity Of character and the doubt he entertained and
taught Of the capacity Of for segovernment has eSered
marked influence upon ts action and opinions Here the
very starring point Of the difference between the great par
ties which divide country All other differences but
subordinate and auxiliary to this and may, in fact be reso
we'd into it, Looking with doubt upon the issue Of segov
erment, party prone think the public authority should
be strengthened and TO fear any change lest that change
might weaken the necessary force OF the Government while
the other strong convictions of the intelligence and virtue
Of the people, believes that original power than dele
gated and that the solution Of The great problem Of good gov
consists in governing with the least force leaving
individual action free from restraint is compatible with
the preservation Of The social system thereby securing each
all the freedom which essential the well being Of the
whole.
As party We ought mistake the signs Of the times
but should bear mind that this age Of ad
in all the clements Of intellectual power and the
opinions Of the world The General Government should
no powers II should exercise viii h have not
been clearly granted by the parties the federal compact
We ought TO eonsue the constitution strictly according
the received and sound principles Of the jefferson school But
while rash experiments should be deprecated IL the Govern
is stationary in its principles Of action, and refuses
accommodate It's within its constitutional sphere
cautiously indeed wisely and checrulv,o the advancing