The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-09-26
The Vice Presidency.

IHc Detbhdt'o" " "". r. 1V'"SN'
The following is the letter Of EI-GJv. Wm
r. johnson. oil Penn, declining the no'ni-
nation for the Vice Presidency, made oy
the North American party a, New io'k
PlrTssuto, Pa. Aug. %, 1856.
10 p. II. RrggLs aud S. w. Alien Cnan-
nun and Corresponding SSer'tdry o. the
i, Amsriean National Committee:
Mr. DEAR SIRs,-Pauioiism demancs Of
the American party it, disaPproSa'ion Of the
measures OF tho present national adminis'ra-
lion. as well as the deiel, Of lhosc Who have
willingly and cheeIfully endorsed, and are
pledged 10 support, It's foreign and domestic
policy.
lie selection Of agents to, and their man
assmen, Of our alT,irs at, other Lour'', has
Justly rendered il obnoxious TO The condem-
nation AZ the American people When the
present administration assumed the conduct
of our domestic affairs, all causes of Sec
:ional sirifo hal been removed, and peace
and fraiernal concord existed among the
States ard people oi tho conlederacy.
With a controlling influence in all de-
partmenis Of government, we are informed
by the admi.sio.s aud declarations OF It's
fri.uds and advocates, tina, at this momen'
di-corJ, sectional suiie aud angry agitation,
dance ou. to the permanency Of our Chef
i.hed Uaiion, have been bTough, ufon the
county. These evil things are Justly ut
uibutable To It's action and ambition.
Our character among the nations OF the
earth has been degraded by the authorized
annou cement on the part oi its employees
that our government, was unwilling or un'
able 10 control and check the raPae'ous
l,nsinss for the possessions Of neishbo'ing
and weaker nations fal'ely admitted TO exist
among our cilizens.
The revenues Of the country have been
devoted to sustain wa,telul and ex'raSa.
gan, administration OF our afairs, while APP
propriations FOR the judicious improvement
Of our rivers and hurbogs have been resisted
and refused; Territory Of the United
States ha, been dssOialed and depoPulaied
By evil broils, while within its borders laws
have been enacted aud Others adjudsed lo
exist AMI at emplcd 70 be eufO'ced by the
government that are destructive Of The sa'
cred rights of a free people.
Toresiu the government to its legitimate
pc-roses-,o preserve the Union and eon-
s,ituIlon rom dissolution and destruction
10 10 establish the high reputation OF our
coun,ry ab,Oad ior fair dealing AMI Just &c
lion toward othcr na,ioas-,o devote our
surpus revenues to national improvements
required FOR tue securiiy Of commeree and
the safely OF triVel-;o preserve 10 Tree la
Dor tue vast and fertile plains OF Kansas VA
obsdirncu q the cOmpac S Of pu'er aud
wiser generaiiOn-tO Gbrogate unjds', ~
rauni.al and wicked Laws, aud 70 protect
the ciuzous against the OdlOus doctrine OF
constructive Judicial t'edsons-Sould seem
10 bs the dictate Of rational patto ism and
enlightened humanity.
To effect the entire condemnation Of those
monstrOus abuses and usbrpatiOns, the de-
feat OF the nominees Of The Cincinnati CJn-
yeniion Is an admitted necessity.
To accomplish this desirable result, united
acIion must DO scared amons the oppo-
nouts Of the national administration.
Believing that she American party, whose
candidate iur the Vice Presidency became
By the action OF the New Iolk cru'cn,iou.
comedies in these views, aud that their can
didate fOs tho Presidency will ciry them
ilso effect, ard eeliag lhaI il Ia, here u
io,e made every efOEt that The correction OF
these wrongs demanded oi il, 10 secure har-
mony o! action among the opponents Of The
national administrators and convinced that
IL i, sIill wiling to place upon the altar OF
our couutry's welfare ali It's preferences i"r
men, and Knowing that in the event Of sue
Cess il, sacrifices AID sIer,iOus will be Ie-
speced and regarded, aud with full knowl
edse that, in all it, actions, 1t has been and
will bs c,nTOiled more by desire Tor the
public welfare than by any selfish or parti
san motives I do not hesitate To appeal To
its patriotism, that ''iOr the sake OF the
Cause" and iOr the removal OF all grounds
Of di,aliec,ion, my name may be withdrawn /
rs a csaJldIts ior the highly important Of.
foe with which the parliahly OF ;Iiends, un-
deserved On my part, has connected iI. II
tins is done, We shall have ne proud salts.
faction OF knowing that 50 Tar Us our party
could control even 10 cause loT distraction
and discussion can be charged upCn US
Should the committee decide that 1t POss' e.
SIS no power 10 act IN the premises, shall
consider il my duty 10 assume tue reNpoDsi-
bilily Of declaring this letter withdrawal
oil my name from the list OF can ,iJa,es. IL
may be excused in me, 20 lately honorsd
BY your confidence, TO venture a few wOTds
Ia defense Of ,hs conduct shall pursue as
an individual citizen aud member OF The
American party. shall vote 'O' Col. FIe-
mont.
/. That he j, honest capable and faith
III 10 N. constitution.
2. That he j. tue nominee Of the New
York Convention OF the i2Ih OF June last.
.. that ne dl'aPpIO'r, OF the measures
Of The p'eseut nalIoual administration.
4. That he isrOrs the aJms>iUn OF Kan
sas ne fee STATE, aud Is utterly opposed to
the unjust and anl'-rePublican laws therein
eOaeled and attempted to be enIo'esd /;
laws aud Judicial decisions dissrsceful to
civilization and humanity, aud IepUsnanl 10
the g,eat character Of American hbs,ty.
S. That he will administer the govern