The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-22

made 10 feel oppressvely, the weight of re
sponsibilty belonging to my new position.
Not having written a word to procure this
distinction, lost not a moment after it had
been conferred in addressing letter to one of
your members, to signify what would be, at
the proper time, the substance of my reply to
the Convention and now have the honor to
repeat in a more formal manner, as the occa-
sion justly demands, that accept the nomina-
tons, with the resolutions annexed.
The political principles and measures laid
down in those resolutions are SO broad that but
| little is left for me to add | therefore barely
suggest, in this place. that should l. by the par
TALLY of my countrymen be elevated to the
| Chief Maglstracy of the Union, | shall be
ready, in my connection with Congress to rec
ommend or to approve of measures in regard
to the management of the public domain, so as
to secure an early settlement of the same, ia
vorable to actual settlers, but consistent new
ertheless with due regard to the equal rights
of the whole American people in that vast ma
tional Inheritance MID also to recommend or
| approve of single alteration in our naturali-
zation laws suggested by my military expert
ence viz: Giving to all foreigners the right of
citizenship, who shall faithfully serve, in time
| of war, one year on board of our public ships,
or in our land forces, regular or volunteer, on
| their receiving an honorable discharge from
the service.
In regard to the general policy of the Ad-
ministration if elected, | should, of course
look among those who may approve that poll
cy, for the agents to carry it into execution ;
and should seek to cultivate harmony and
traternal sentiments throughout the Wing
party without attempting to reduce its mem.
bers, by prescription, to exact conformity to my
views But | should, at the same time, be
rigorous in regard to qualifications for Office,
retaining and appointing no one either def
Gent in capacity or integrity or in devotion to
Liberty, to the Constitution, and to the Union
Convinced that harmony or good will be-
tween the different quarters of our broad coun-
try is essential TO the present and future inter-
ests of the Republic and with a devotion to
those Interests that can know no South and
no North, should neither c0untenance nor
tolerate any seditiOn, disorder, faction, or re-
sistance to the law or the Union, on any pre-
text in any part of the land and should
carry into the civil administration this one
principle OF military conduct-obedience to
the legislative aud judicial departments of
| Government each in its constitutional sphere,
saving only in respect to the Legislature the
possible resort to the veto power, always to be
most cautiously exercised, and under the strict
est restraints and necessities
Finally, for my strict adherence to the prin-
ciples OF the Wing party as expressed in the
resolutions of the Convention, and herein sug-
gested, with a sincere and earnest purpose to
advance the greatness and happiness of the
Republic and thus to cherish and encourage
the cause of constitutional liberty throughout
the world, avoiding every act and thought that
might involve our country in an uni ust or un-
necessary war, or impair the faith of treaties,
and dscountenancng all political agitation in
furious to the interests Of society and danger
GUS to the Union, can offer no other pledge
or guarantee than the known incidents of long
public life, now undergoing the severcst exam
| nation.
Feeling myself highly fortunate in my asso-
ciate on the ticket and with IA lively sense of
my obligations to the Convention, and to your
personal courtesies, have the honor to remain,
sir, with great esteem, your most obedient SER
want, WINFIELD ScoTT.
To the Hon. J. g. Chapman President of
the Whig National Contention.