Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-07-06
Letter of Gen. Scott IN Reply.

Letter of Gen. Scott IN Reply.
WAsH1NGToN, June "a, 1852.
To the Hon. J. G. CHAPMAN,
President of the Whig National Convention
Sir-I have had the honor to receive from
your hands the official notice of my unanimous
nomination as the Wing candidate for the office
of President of the United States" )" together
with "a copy of the Resolutions passed by the
Convention expressing their opinions upon some
of the most prominent questions Of national poll
cy."
This great distinction, conferred bya nume-
rous intelligent, and patriotic body, representing
millions of my eountrymen, sinks deep into my
heart, and remembering the very eminent names
which were before the Convention In amlcaole
competition with my own, | am made to feel op-
pressively the weight of responsibility belonging
to my new position.
Not having written a word to procure tins
distinction, / lost not a moment after 1t 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 occasion justly
demands, that accept the nomination with the
resolutions annexed!
The political principles and measures laid down
in these resolutions are so broad that but little
left for me to add. therefore barely suggest, in
this place, that should !, by the parciahty Of my
countrymen, be elevated to the Chief Magistracy
of the Union, shall be ready, in my connection
with Congress- to recommend or to approve OF
measures in regard to the management OF the
public domain so as to secure an early settlement
of the same favorable to actual settlers, but con
sistent, nevertheless, with a due regard TO the
equal rights of the whole American people in
that vast national inheritance; and also to re-
commend OF approve single alteration in our
naturalization laws, suggested by my military eX
perience, viz giving to all foreigners the ght 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 SER
vice.
In regard to the general policy Of the admin
istratioh, if elected should, of course, look
among those who may approve that policy for
the agents to carry it into execution, and should
seek to cultivate harmony and fraternal senti-
ments throughout the Wing party, without at
tempting to reduce its members by prescription
to exact conformity to my own views But
should, at the same time, be rigorous IN regard
to qualifications for ofice-retaiuing and ap-
pointing no one either deficient in capacity or
integrity, or in devotion to liberty, to the Con-
stitution, and the Union.
Convinced that harmony and goodwill be-
tween the different quarters of our broad coun-
try is essential to the present and future interests
of the Republic, and with a devotion to those
interests that can know no South and no North,
should neither countenance nor tolerate anyse-
dition, disorder, faction or resistance to the Law
or the Union, on any pretext, in any part OF the
land and should carry into the civil admins
tration this one principle Of military conduct
obedience to the Legislative and Judicial depart
ments 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 adherence to the principles OF
the Wing party, as expressed in the resolutions
of the Convention and herein suggested, with
sincere aud earnest purpose to advance the great
ness and happiness Of the republic, and thus to
cherish and encourage the cause OF constitution
al liberty throughout the woodworking every
act and thought that might involve our country
in an unjust or unnecessary war, or impair the
faith of treaties, and discountenancing all poit-
cal agitation injurious to the interests Of society
and dangerous to the Uuion-I can offer no 9TH
er pledge or guaranty than the known incidents
of long public life, now undergoing thesevereSt
examination.
Feeling myself highly fortunate in my ESQ
ciate on the ticket, and with lively sense Of
my Obligations to the Convention, aud to your
personal courteses, have the honor to remain,
sir, with great esteem, your most obedient Ser
want, WINFIELD SCOTT.
Mr. EfruL1u's Re,1Iy