The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-07-26
Martin Van Buren's Letter.

Martin van 1uTcu Letters
We have had in our "copy box" for seve.
raj weeks the very able letter of Martin Van
Buren,, to the Tammany Society in New York,
giving his views in relation to the Presiden-
tial election, and his reasons for supporting
Buchanan Our limited space, however,
has been so much pre-occupied, that the
letter has grown old on our hands, and not
being willing to lose it all, we must be con-
tent to give the following extract, showing
its tone:
"Mr. Buchanan, in his letter of accept
ance, pledges himself TO the people, should
the nomination Of the Convention be ratified
by the people, that all the power and infiu-
ence constitutionaily possessed by the EX-
ecutive shall be excrted in a firm but con-
cIliatory spirit, during the single term he
shall remain in office, to restore the same
harmony among the sister States which pre-
vailed before the apple Of discord, in the
form Of slavery agitation, had been cast into
their midst" He knows that this pledge
can be redeemed in but one way, and that is
by securing to the bona tide settlers of the
Territory, if matters should be allowed TO
remain as they now stand, the full, free and
practical enjoyment Of the rights intended
to be granted to them by the organic act,
including that of free suffrage, and no one
will understand better than he, that nothing
short of the substance Of those rights would
answer the purpose, or satisfy the excited
and vigiant scrutiny of those who will watch
every step that is taken in the matter
Doubts were at one time thrown out
know not from what quaIter-in regarI, to
the power Of the Executive to Civ. this sr.
curity; but affairs now in pr" y-ss show ,b,,
these doubts, if they ever existed have beer
dispelled. The Constitution makes il the
express duty of the Federal Executive TO see
that Pc laws are faithfully executed" and
ne IS clothed with powers adequate TO its
performance.
avn Mr. Buchanan, if elected, redeem
his pledge? l believe he will, and therefore
will chccrfully support him. All that can
be asked Of him is to do equal and exact
justice to every section OF the country-tc
exercise the high powers with which he will
be invested to secure the object in view, as
well because it will be right to do so, as be.
cause there may be reason to fear that the
existence of the government itself may de-
pend upon his securing il. So much has
been said in regard to the dangers with
which the Union is threatened, as to require
no inconsiderable effort on the part OF an
earnest man, TO touch upon the solemn
theme for fear he might DC suspected Of a
desire to prostitute it TO comparatively petty
purposes. But all must ADM, il to be GER
tain that there never was q period in the
history of this Republic when sectional ami
mosities were so rife, or had, TO so great an
extent, intlamed the masses of the people.
If the Confederacy shall prove strong enough
to withstand these torrents of bitter waters,
it will afford the best evidence that the love
of union is as deeply impressed upon the
American heart as its most sanguine friends
have imagined it to be- I see good grounds
for hope that such may be the happy Issue
out of our present alarming condition. in
the prospect Of Nr. Buchanan's election
He is neither an untried man CT one of or
binary stamp. He has for u long time been
fayOrably known to the public service, and
comes before the country with character
already formed, and mind thoroughly
trained in the school Of experience Ia re-
gard to the future action of such Il man, his
constituents are not left TO conjecture and
hope, but may form positive opinions. lie
has established foreign reputation, in re-
gard to which he cannot fail To be so!icitOus.
lie has, with characteristic good sense, re-
lieved himself from the imputation of being
influenced by desire to couciliate any spe-
cial or partial interest, with n view to a re-
election, and his acts from demonstrations
which the suspicion of being so influential
might engender. That man with such an
tecedents, and occupying sEch position,
acting in 4 matter of sufficient interest 10
attract the attention of the world, and in the
Of fro. ord INT. naprla
among whom he was reared and expects 70
spend the evening of his life, can fan to per-
form his entire duty when the path that
leads to it is so plain that "thc wayiaring
man, though fool, could not err therein.
* a contamination that am very Certain
can never be realized"