Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-26
HALIFAX 9. H., March 22d, 1856

HALIFAX G. H., March 22d, 1855.
Messrs. Andrew Il. Kennedy, George d. Gray and
Josiah Dabbs:
Gsntlemen-I have just received your letter Of
the l4th, informing me of my nomination by the
Convention at Winchester, for the Office of Cover
nor of this State, and requesting my acceptance.
II was well known to all who communicated with
me upon the subject that for reasons entirely per-
sonal to myself, had no desire 10 occupy such
position. As far as it is above any merit which l
possess, and as worthy as it is Of the ambition Of
any man, 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withdrawn from the quiet pursuits of private life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 res
pect than myself to represent the American party.
But my entire confidence in, and earnest desire
for, the success Of the principles of that party,
upon which, in, my humble judgment, depend the
protection of the rights Of the States and the pres
ervation of the Union, induce me to accept the
nomination.
In doing SO, it 10 proper that shall express my
opinions upon the subjects which most interest the
people of the State
/ am in favor of a general system of popular ed
ucation.
am in favor of completing the leading lines of
Internal improvement, now under prosecution, with
as much despatch as the financial condition of the
State viii justify, keeping always in view the pre-
servation of her faith and credit
! endorse fully the Basis of Principles of the
American party believ ng them to be the most
conservative presented 10 the consideration of the
country since the establishment Of our independ-
ence.
The rapid increase Of foreign immigration 10 well
calculated to excite alarm, and the power OF the
government, both State and Federal, should be ex-
erted TO check it. 1t seems almost impossible TO
doubt that the influx of between four and Ave hun
dred thousand Foreigners into our cocntry annu-
oly will ultimately be subversive of our republican
institutions. Washington, Jefferson, Madison and
Jackson gave carly warning TO the country of the
danger TO be unprecedented from foreign influence.
The naturalization laws should either be repealed
or so modified and such restrictions imposed as to
avert the evil
Ii may be said that there are comparatively but
few foreigners and Roman Catholics In Virginia
She s not acting for herself alone. She is lead
Ing member Of this great sisterhood Of States and
her action will be felt for veal or wo, by them all
Her destiny is 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 navigablc rivers, and the immense
and fertile Territories stretching beyond to the Pa
.ci6c, 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 party--the " non Intervention Of
the Federal and State government with the muni-
cpal affairs Of each othern The strict observance
of this principle viii make the union Of the States
perpetual.
The South ia especially and deeply Interested In
this question; this immense and annual addition
TO our population, settle In the non-slaveholdinP
States, and the extensive territories of the West
and Northwest 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
Catholic Church in our country. Despotic, pro
scptive and int1lerant its ascendency, as all his
tory teaches has ever been destructive Of freedom
of opinion and while would uncompromisingly
oppose any interference with the rights Of its mem
bers az citizens, by any legislative enactment, ye
by full and independent exercise Of the right o
suffrage and the appointing power, they should b.
excluded from the Offices Of the government In al
Its departments.
shallnot have it In my power to meet the PEG
pie Of the State and discuss these questions with
them face to face. II Is now about sixty days t.
the election, aud II we're to devote every day e
the canvass, should not be able TO visit much
more than one-thrd Of the counties. An add
tonal, and with me an important reason, is, that
shall be fully occupied in preparation for, and at
tendance upon the courts in which practice, unit
the election shall have passed.
IL with these opinions and. this position, th
people Of Virginia shall elect me to the distin
guishcd Office Of governor Of the Commonwealth
win discharge its duties with fidelity aud wha
ability possess. win ondcavor TO advance tn,
prosperity, guard the honor, and protect tho In
terests and instutions Of Virginia by all the powe
vested In me, and shall do all that can consist
ent with her interest and honor for the preserva
ton OF the Union.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
TunMAq q EIOrnNny