The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-03-26
STATE POLITICS.
Nh rLouxsoYs LKrrKR OF ACCEPTANCE.
wrscHRsrxn, March 18th, 1855.


wrscHRsrxn, March 18th, 1855.
To tie Hon. 7Aomas s. F1earaov;
Dear sir-The undersigned, committee up.
pointed for the purpose tAke pleasure 10 iniormIs
YOU of your unanimous nomination, BY the Con.
ventiou Of the American Party of Virginia, which
mef yesterday at this place, as the American
candidate for the Office OF Governor OF this State.
aud request your acceptance OF the nomination
ANDREW E. KENNEDY,
GEORGE d. GRAY, COMMITTEE
JOSIAH DABBS,
HALIFAX c. H., March 22d, 1855.
Msssrs Andrew Z. Kennedy, George D. Gray and
Josiah Dabbs:
Gentier,en-I have just received your letter of
the 18th, informing me OF my nomination by the
Convention at Winchester, for the Office of Cover
nor OF this State, and requesting my acceptance
IL 10 veil known 10 all who communicated with
me upon the subject that for reasons entirely per-
sonal to myself, | had no desire to occupy such
position: AZ far a. II 10 above any merit which
possess, and worthy as it is OF the ambition OF
any man, i was unwilling to have my attention
Withdrawn from the quiet pursuits OF private life.
and earnestly hoped that the Convention would
have selected some one more suitable in every
respect than myself to represent the American
party. But my entire confidence In, an earnest
desire for, the success of the principles of that
party, upon which, in my humble Judgment, de.
the preservation OF the Union induce me to accept
the nomination.
In doing SO. i. Is proper that shall express my
opinions upon the subjects which most interest the
I am In favor of q general System OF popular
education.
am in favor of completing the leading lines of
internal Improvement, now under prosecution,
with ~ much dispatch the financial condition OF
the State will justify, keeping always in view the
preservation of her faith and credit.
l endorse fully the Basis of Principles of the
American party, believing them to be the most con-
servstive presented to the consideration OF the
country since the establishment of our indepen.
dencs.
The rapid increase of Foreign immigration, is
vel! calculated to excite alarm, aud the power OF
the Government both State and Federal should
be exerted to check it, 1t seems almost impossible
to doubt that the influx Of between four and five
hundred thousand Foreigners into our country
annually, will ultimately be subversve of our Re-
publican institutions. Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and Jackson gave early warning to the
country OF the danger to be spprehended from for.
eign ilnuance. The naturalization laws should
either be repealed or 80 modified and such res
trictions imposed a. to avert the evil.
The South Is especially and deeply interested 10
this question this immense and annual addition
70 our population, settle In the non.slaveholding
States, and the extensive territories OF the West
and North West out of which Free States will, In
consequence, be more speedily formed, increasing
with fearful rapidly the balance of power against
Us.
Intimately connected with this question of for.
eign immigration, Is the growth of the Roman Ca.
thoic Church In our country. Despotc, proscripS
tive and intoerant, its ascendancy, all history
teaches, has ever been destructive of freedom of
opinion and while | would uncompromisinely
oppose any interference with tbs rights of its mem
beers as citizens, by any legislative enactment yet
by full and Independent exercise Of the right of
suffrage and the appointing power they should be |
excluded from the offices ofthe Government in all |
its departments
1t may be said that there are comparatively but |
few Foreigners and Roman Catholics in Virginia.
She 10 not acting for herself alone. She lie lead |
tng member OF this great sisterhood of States and
her action will be felt for veal or VICE. by them all
Her destiny 10 identified with theirs and she can.
not look with indifference to the fact that the great
valley OF the Mississippi, watered by twenty thou
sand miles of navigabie rivers and the immense |
and fertile Territories, stretching beyond to the
racine, capable OF sustaining population of one
hundred millions are rapidly filling up with this
class OF people.
will advert particularly to one other principle of
the American psrty-the mon intervention of the
Federal and State Government with the municipal
affairs of each other" The strict observance of
this principle will make the union of the States
perpetual.
shall not have 1t in my DO wer to meet the peo-
pie OF the State and discuss these questions with
them face to face tits about sixty days to the
election, and If were to devote every day to the
Canvass should not be able to visit much more
than one third of tbs counties An additional, and
with me an important reason, is that shall be full
~ occupied in preparation for, and attendance up
on the Courts in which practice, until the election
shall have passed
If with these opinions and this position, the peo-
pie OF Virginia shall elect to the distinguished
office of Governor of the Commonwealth will
discharge its duties with fidelity and what ability
possess. | will endeavor to advance the prosperity
guard the honor and protect the interests and nstitu
lions of Virginia, by all the power vested in me- and
shall do all that can consistent with her interest
and honor for the preservation of the Union
Very respectfully your ob't serv't,
THOMAS S, FLOURNOY,