The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-20

letter. giving me official in
formation OF the proceed
ings of the Buffalo Conyen-
ton. The comp ,sition,
character and proceedings
OF that body. as described
by you, and the concessions
Of feeling, aud to some ex-
tent, Of opinions also, on
the part Of is me mbors,
which enabled them to
unite their exeruons upon
q common, and TO the coun-
try, a vitality important
question, snow il 70 have
been governed by a pure
and lofty PATRIOTS N, and
demand from me a grateful
ackDowledg nent for the
expression Of confidence
you have communica led.
My position, in regard 10
Me Presidential election, is Q
peculiar one; and II Is due
70 me that the knowledge OF
h should be co extensive
with that Of eve y material
step take N the canvass.
IN 1874 ] announce my de-
termination 10 continue in
retirement for the rest OF
my life, ind my earnest
desire 20 do so his been
undiminished and invaria-
BILE FROM hat moment TO
the prcseLt. ! declined,
respectfully but explicitly,
numerous offers from
friends in other States TO
promote my nomination
at the late Baltimore Con-
vontiop; and in the same
spirit refused permission 70
the New York delegation 10
present my name TO that
body, under any circum
stances whatsoever.
This refusal would have
been equally decisive, If it
had been certain that they
would have had it in their
power to carry their friend
ly wishes mo effect. The
New York delegation to the
Utica Convention requested
my opinions in regard 70
the obligations imposed up
on them by the Baltimore
nominations, and the con-
stitufionality and expedien-
cy of a prohibition, by Con-
gress, Of the introduction Of
slavery into Territories now
free from IL. They also
asked my consent 10 theuse
OF my name by the Conven-
ton as its candidate for
the Presidency. ] cheer
fully gave them the OPT
niols they desired, but
declined the last request
absolutely. That they sin
cerely desired 10 re-
epect my wishes In
this regard, ] have never
doubted. But the Conven-
ton were Of opinion that
the use OF my name'was ne
cessary, as well to enable
the democracy OF New York
70 carry forward, with q
reasonable prospect OF ul-
innate success, the great
principle for which they
conended, as 70 sustain
themselves in the extra
ordinary position to which
they had been driven by
the injustice Of others; and
thai the relations which had
% long existed between
US, gave them n right so 10
use II, not only. without my
consent, but against my
known wishes. Entertain
ing these views, thy de-
cided 20 nominate me, and
omitted 10 give me the usual
notice Of their proceedings.
The reasons why ! do not
feel IT aberty 10 inter
pose any further obstacles
70 their wishes have been.
given TO the public, and
need not be repeated.
h Is IN this form that my
name, as q candidate Tor the
Presidency, has been
brought before the people.
Occupying this position, |
shall feel myself houorcd
by the support Of an assem-
bhge SO enlightened and pa
triouc, and so devoted 10
the maintenance Of the
great principle we contend
for, As that In whose behalf
you have addressed me.
have examined and con-
sdered the platform adopted
by the Buffalo Convention,
~ defining the political
creed of the 'free demo-
crscy,r with the attention
due 70 the grave subjects
which Il embraces, and the
interesting circumstances
under which II - presented.
il brcathcs the right spirit,
and presents a political
chart which, with the ex-
plantations ] am about 10
make, ! can, 10 good faith,
adopt aud sustain. Ia regard
20 the chief topic OF the re-
solutions, II is not 10 be
doubted that the present
Unprecedented movement OF
the public mind In the non
shveboldiLg states, upon
the subject OF slavery, ~
caused mainly by an ear
nest desire 20 uphold and
enforce the policy in regard
TO Il, established by the
founders OF the republic.
That policy, In addition TO
the prospective prohibition
OF the foreign slave trade,
was
lat. Adequate, efficient
and certain security against
the extension o. slavery into
Territories where u did not
practically exist.
I'd. That IN the language
a. your condensed ana ex-
celient resolution, slavery,
10 the several States Of this
Union which recognise lis
existence, should depend
upon STATE laws, which can
not be repealed or modified
by the federal govern
ment - and
%. A sparit Of considerable
ebrbearance towards the in
stituuon, In localities where
n was placed under the con.
troll OF Congress.
BY a wise observance OF
this policy, we have, until
recently, bten enabled 10
neutrallse the injurious ten.
denotes OF an element Of dis
cord more difficult 10 deal
with than any 70 which our
free institutions are expos
ed. But, unhsppily FOR the
present harmony, and pos
sibly Cor the future welfare,
of our beloved country, q
preteneion has been recent.
ly set M by our brethren o.
the slaveholding states, In
regard 10 tho nrst branch
q this policy. so insdmissi-
BILE upon principle and so
revolving 10 our feelings as
TO produce a rush Of pubic
sentiment towards the point
cf resistance, which, with q
population so considerable
and so staid a. ours, is
never seen, except when a
conviction exists that the
honor and safety OF the
country are nj stake, and
then, always. A srain Of
occurrences, all tending 70
The same general end,