The southern press., 1852-07-15
LINDENwALD, July !, 1852

Letter from Ex.Presldent Van Buren,.
LINDENwALD, July /, 1852.
Gentlemen-I beg you to accept my thanks
for the invitation 10 meet the Tammany Society
on the 9TH inst.,' with which you have honored
me- 1t reviyes recollectons, reaching to TAR
distant day, of similar meetings, at which had
the pleasure of acting, in the promotion OF our
cause, with long array of disnterested and
patriotic men, many of whom have been forever
removed from such scenes, whilst some are yet
amongst you-honored members of your so
ciety-lingerng like myself, on the verge OF
life summons from the survivors OF such
band and their younger associates together, for
the support Of principles which we imbibed in
boyhood, and to which we have since devotedly
adhered, cannot regard with other feelings than
those Of deep interest mingled with regret, that
the qualification of thus meeting them is denied
me. -....
In public letter, some years since, addressed
by me to the Democracy of the city of New
York-of which your society constitutes a
highly respectable and influential part stated
that had, since the expiration of the Presiden.
tial term, deemed it due to that high Office and
to those whose friendship and confidence raised
me to it, to abstain as far as possible from &C.
tive participation in party politics. This opinion
as to the proprieties of my position, coincding
with my preferences and views in other respects,
has remained unchanged, and nothing can lie
| further from my wishes or intentions, than 10
pursue different course at this advanced period
| of my life. | am therefore constrained to throw
myself upon the indulgence of your society, in
declining their invitation.
But cannot, gentlemen, allow the opportuni.
ty you have presented, to pass without renew
ing the assurances which were given in the let
ter referred to, Of my deep sense of the vigorous
and effective support that for so long period
and through 80 many and such trying vicissi.
tudes, in my public career | received from the
| Democracy OF your great city. Differences of
opinion have, il is true since arisen between
large and respectable portions Of your associates
and myself upon points which your invitation
well describes as foreign to the objects and
political relations of your society" In regard
to these we have each pursued the course that
we deemed right, and that our judgment ap-
proved, and | an, hope, too Just TO extend
grudginply to Others, as well entitled, the exer
else Of right claim for myself, or TO allow the
personal asperities which, unhappily, seems TO
be inseparable from collisions of opinion upon
most public questions, and against an induI
gence in which men best disposed cannot always
guard themselves, TO weigh against much less
TO cancel, clsims upon my gratitude and es
TEEN that can never either forget or disown
I can therefore, with truth, say that the senti
ments towards your society, ard their political
brethren Of the city, long and cordially enter
tained by me, whilst the relation Of consti.
tuents and representative existed between US.
are not less kind or less sincere now when that
tie has ceased, and can never be restored.
There is every probability, gentlemen, that
what is so earnestly desired by all sincere Demo.
crats-a fair field for the DISCUSSION before the
people Of the conflicting principles Of the respec.
tive parties Of the administration Of the federal
government-will be once more afforded. Al
too many Of our Presidential elections, circum.
stances in the actual condition Of the country or
considerations personal TO one or the other can.
didaies, have, by the address of politicians, been
used 10 prevent proper attention to that great
issue by the people.
In the coming contest, there il, think, great
reason to expect that no such obstacles can, TO
any serious extent be brought into successful
operation The di.turbng subject of slavery
has, by the action Of both parties Of the country.
been Withdrawn from the canvass between them
and the no less exciting questions in regard to n
natioal bank and the uses and deposit OF the
moneys of the people, which so convulscd the
whole country by appeals to individual interest
and cupidity, have been finally settled by The
adoption of the Democratic policy.
In regard 10 the personal character Of the re-
spective candidates, the prospects are not less
propitous. The Wing nominee, in that chivaI
rous spirit which belongs to his character, has
commenced his first political campaign with
frank admission Of the private worth and claims
to public confidence Of his opponent--a conces.
sion which am very sure Gen. Pierce will be
at all times ready TO reciprocate.
A Presidential election held under The crcum.
stances TO which have adverted, must, it seems
TO me, result in the success Of the Democratic
candidate. No we'll informed and candid mind
can doubt that large mjority Of the people Of
the United States prefer the political principles
for the administration Of the federal government,
Of which Mr.. Jefferson was the first and greatest
advocate, and which have in the main guided the
councils of the Democratic party. The Wing
nominee is the open and bold opponent Of the
most important Of those principles, and the de-
cided advocate Of political doctrines, which are,
in the estimation Of every sound Democrat, in
deadly hostility TO the spirit Of our free institu.
tons
On the other hand, Gen. Pierce and Mr. King
have both been brought up in the true Demo.
cratic faith, and spent their lives among the
straightest of their sect. They are honest men,
long tried in public life, possessing talents sbun.
dainty adequate to the successful discharge Of
every duty, and private characters above al civil
or reprosch. They have been fairly nominated,
and ought to recelue, and | am confident will
receive the vote Of every single minded Demo.
c g. IN the country. If my life is spared, they
shall have nine. am, gentlemen, very respect
fully, your friend and servant
M VAN RIIRFN