The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-18
From John Van Buren,.
New YoRK, July 2. 1851

GENTLEMEN: have received your note inviting me,
in behalf OF the Tammany SOCIETY," to unite with them in
celebrating the next anniversary OF our Independence,
and regret that previous engagement deprves of
lhe pleasure oil accepting your invitation.
You speak IN Terms no less true than just of the hon-
orable character and career OF The Society OF Tammany
and there is everything in the present condition OF the
country and OF the democratic party OF the Union de-
mand from your ancient institution the most earnest
erilons and It's most prudent counses.
The government OF the Stale and OF the nation is in the
hands OF our ancient adversAes broug into power not
by any merit OF their own. but by our divisions regard
tlis condition OF things national and State calamity
which we have been unable 10 avert, but the evils Of
which We may easily correct.
To do must first resolve to fix our attention on
the future, and not on The past What any particular
denoeiai may have done al any previous election may
be important 10 himself, and may become very proper
sunlecl OF inquiry when such individual Is candidate for
ofice; but IN the tme the important inquiry lc
the democratic cause is, In what honorable way the
largest number OF votes be brought to its support
future elections The answer to the inquiry obviously
Is by suspendng or forgetting past differences and
daily uniting IN present contests Although these sug
gesons reach beyond my individual case IL is but frank
TO admit that they are mainly prompted by IL My own
past has been such as seemed 10 me proper.
When become candidate for office, suitable opportu
nifty will be presented TO others for approving condemn
ing III but in the mean me. il is the height OF folly 10
embaass present exerons by idle discussions in regard
to IT. The same is true In regard 10 other individuals,
whom do not
Again, 10 succeed hereafter we should conhne our eY
eTons IN the first instance, TO the limits Of our own
State Place the democratic party of the State in power
and the success OF the democratic party OF the Union
Will speedily and surely follow The former is in truth
The SIMPLEST II not the only, mode OF eiectng the latter
Where them is the road to victory for New York de-
mocracyl In my judgment they most surely succeed
by limiting The contest between them and their adverse
ries 10 questions OF municipal and State polioy-post
poning questions OF national policy I'LL the presidential
election next year. We have this fall no members OF
Congress to elect We elect State officers, legislature
and many important local officers. With insignificant
exceptions, cordially united questions OF State
policy. The unconstulionaly OF the canal bill, which
the wings are about TO pass-the incompeiency. profit.
gacy, and corruption which have marked the OF
The wing party IN this Siate-are admitted and avowed
and denounced by democrats OF every shade and section
These the proper subjects OF inquiry and decision
al the next election. Why not, them unite in
vigorous effort to expel the Gohs from our State capitol
and city hall and secure TO the New York democracy
one OF lis old fashioned vctoresl We can and your
ancient and honorable society do much promote
IT, Perfect the organization Of the psrty--wIihoui or
ganizauon we are helpless prey TO the disciplined gov
eminent troops contending with Bury past con
tests among ourselves Treat those who dig them up
as allies OF the whgs-fo the Of the wings IL
The sole purpose they can promote. ConfDe
venilons, IN their resolutions to subjects OF State policy
coupled # you please, with as strong denunciaiions OF
the general administration at Washington the most
vehement member OF the convention may desire. So far
all honoraby agree. On national questions,
they present themselves we difer sincerely hope
when the presidential election comes the aspect OF these
questions may be changed that all agree in
gard 10 them But now we cannot and we should avoid
them
Conhne convention, also, to nominations OF State
candidates Let The presidential question rest The demo-
cratic party has thousands Of patriots in its ranks any
OF whom, If properly nominated, uiumphanty be
elected the President OF the United States Indeed
there few in lie ranks that cannot be- and will not
allow myself 10 fear that such unhappy ingenuity
would be practised TO select such one. But there u
need to anticipate difficulties. IL would be unwlse
IN manifest premaurey, as party, preference for
any man TO I'LL this high office. Besides, the wishes OF
minority command small respect from political conven-
ions Put the democratic party OF New York IN INA
lony Al home, and the preference OF New York will be
very apt TO be the preference OF the national convention
we can lheD 90 into the national contest with honor and
WIN Aeai: we can repeat, upon larger theatre, the
scenes wb'on we shall have rehearsed al home We can
restore me democracy OF the nation that ascendency
whob ney have 40 long held, and which has redounded
40 largely TO the true interests and high honor of the
pubic we can revive the brightest epochs in party
career, when had Jackson in the presidential chair
Forsyth, Cass, Grsndy. fancy in the cabinet; a
Benton, Wright Walker and Buchanan in the Sen.
ate; and when spoke voice that was heard and
needed through the ncorupube and fearless organ OF
Blair II Rves. These were the pamy days Of the
patty, and no less OF the republic. Our flag was re-
speced in every and port Our citizens were pro-
teced and indembifed at home and abroad Dsunon hid
head and covered before The intrepid Jackson and the
statesmen who surrounded him. 1911
IL IL my sincere and desire that this glorious
may come again; and | would make any surrender OF
feeling and any reasonable sacrifice OF time
MEANS 10 promote result honorable 10 the democratic
party and so advantageous 10 the country
Respectfully and truly yours, -