Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-06-29
mn. VAN BUREN's LETTER,
Addressed 20 the new York. Rarnburners

The letter Of Ex-President Van Buren, TO IN,
Utica Convention, which has put him in notni
nation for the Presidency, as the Free Soil can
didaie, occupies more than two columns Of the
New YorkPo He commences by referring e
the warmreception he received from The New
York democracy after his deieat.in 1910, and 70
the announcement he made in a6Ei, after the mo-
mination OF Mr. Polk. 10 retire forever irom pub
lie life. This determination he SIN strongly ad
heresdo. He next proceeds 10 review the action
ofihe late, Baltimore Convention in regard 10 the
New York delegates; approves the course pur-
sued BY The Barnburners, and comes 70 the fol-
1ewing conclusion
exnnot under such circumstances reffain
drem concntring with you IN the opinion that
the decisions Of that Convention are in no degree
binding upon the democracy Of this State, or en-.
titled 10 any other weight in their esiimaiion,
than as an expression Of the wishes and opinions
et respeetahe portions oftheiF political associates
and friends in other States, qualified as their ex-
presidents, BY The acts BY which it has beea ac-
.companied.
4 He then proceeds 70 give his views In regard
70 The prohibition BY Congress, Of slavery in Ter
ntorles where II does net now exist Aller stat
sag that, from 17e7, 1he date eff de ordinance
ier ne prerentien Of slavery in the North WEES
terra TERRITORY. down to and including 1888, a.
least eleven acts Of Congress have been passed,
Organizing territories which have since become
States In all Of which the constitutional power Of
Congress 70 inieniicf the introduction Of slavery,
iseiher directly exercised, Or clearly asserted 6y
enaements, ChfoA. IS naiieis OF authority, are
Aantalnountia is exercise; and that at the enly
period when the peace Of the slaveholding Suites
was supposed 70 ee seriously endangered BY abo-
lition agitation, there was spontaneous uprising
Of the people ofthe north Of beth parties BY which
agitation was p1xalyzcd and the south fe-assur-
81 Of eur fidelity % The compromise 81 the Con-
stitutlon, be proceeds:
The doctrine which the late Baltimore Con-
vention has presented Cor the sanction Of the ma
nor. Is, IN substance, that the laws1 have refer
red y we've but . many violations uf the constr
tnuon-that this instrument confess no power On
Congress % exclude slavery from the territories
g has 50 ollcu been dene wSth she assent Of ALL
this deetrne IS SCI forth IN Tie published opinion
q ne highly respectable nominee Of thai Con-
.eni,oa. whe = isweil knewu received that dir
unetion because be avowed AT opinion and who
i 4 equally certain would NOT have received II
y he had 20, done so ], IS proposed 10 give this
aosirane The mpzf solemn sanction known 10 our
political system. b. the election Of its declared |
advocate and supporter 10 the Presidency fit |
lseelfes the proposed santion of the people o. the
1nlie1 States. he rssilh cannot Be douhlf0l |
Inc pollek y regard 9 he extension Of slavery
e tne territories Of tie United STATES i1io which
!. las mol ret ben iltrodnced, which has existed
since snc commencement Of tie government and |
lee eonseluelces of which have been 80 saluiarl |
mus CEASE, and every &C, q Con9fc<s dcsigna- /
81 The executive.
:. ses ,ssrl,e1es nov ouned b. ne United |
-. ~ -e. acquisition 4 tcrfi1fy ihalInay
e q. g made N ke udiiea Si,kcs. vkether
1910 u radon, b SESSION i6r valuable
$ .S.los g ~ ecn9ics, mast IS Ions IS
o1ltpinio1 q held. and Is az IS a. National Y
legislature seo1ceEncd, 4 subject Is he irro,lS i
~. 40 t1iS colselnsnce i b h sub i
~ - es s.t lti9D thai he franefs q l.
- sn9ee. ADD Nisa IN asSe.sSSS7 49, = I,
a. g. have feiied q tic.Ae co1Ercss ~;,r r. -
cc><1Fy power - prevent H. er1So, c.;,S -,
I1's r1rzl1rN q lis slnciion / c1-r5, a. =,
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