The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-20
EOn. JAMES BUCHANAN.
WHzATLAND, (near Lancaster, J


June lG 1856
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
your mmunication of the 18th instant informing
officially Of my nomination by the Democratic National
Conventions recently held Cincinnati the democratic
candidate for the office of President Of the United States
shall not attempt to express the grateful feelings which
entertain towards my democratic feow-czens for having
deemed worthy of this the highest political honor
earhan honor such the people of no other country
have the power to bestow Deeply sensible Of the and
varied responsibility attached to tie station especially
tie present crisis in affairs have carefully refraned
from seeking the nomination either by word deed Now
that it has been offered by the democratic party accept
with dfidence in my abilities, but with humble
trust that in the event OF my election may be enabled to
dschsrg ny duty in such to allay domestic
strife pres peace and friendship with foreign nations
and promote the best interests OF the republic.
In accepting the nomination. need scarcely say that
accept the spirit the resolutions constituting the
PLATFORM of principles erected by the convention To this
platform ntond to conRne myself throughout the can
ss believing that have right the candidate of the
democratic party by answering inerrogaores to present
new and different issues before the people.
twill not be expected that in this should speci-
ally refer to the subject of each Of the reolutons and
SHALL therefore conne myself to the two topics now most
prominently before the people
Aud, in the first place, cordially concur in the senti-
mehs expressed by the convention on the subject of civil
and religious liberty No party founded on religious
political intolerance towards class OF American citi-
ttu7, whether born in in foreign land, can
long continue 10 exist in this country We are all equal
before God and the constitutions and the dark spirit OF
apotsm and hgotry which would create odous dstinc-
among our eow-citizens will be speedily rebuked by
free and enlightened public opinion.
The agitation OF the question Of domestic slavery has
too long distracted and divided the people of this Union
and aenated their affections from each other This agi-
huon has assumed many forms since its commencement
but to be directed chiefly TO the Territories
and Judging from its present character, think may
safely anticipate that it IS rapidly approaching FINAL
n.y. The recent legislation of Cpngress respecting do
pdc slavery derived, is II has been from the original
and pure fountain Of legitimate political power the win Of
the majority, promises long TO allay the dangerous
excitement This legislation Is founded upon principles
ancient free government ITSELF and in accordance with
them, has simply declared that the people Of a Territory
IKE those ola State shall decide for themselves whether
slavery shall or shall not exist within their limits
The Nebraska-Ka act does no more than give the
ca OF law 10 this elementary principle oil selgovern-
ntu declaring ii be athe intent and meaning OF
this act not TO esa,e slavery into any Territory State
POI 70 exclude il hersom but to leave the people thereof
perfectly ee 10 form aud regulate their domestic institu-
tons in their own way, subject only 70 tue constitution Of
a United States This principle will surely not be con-
uoysred by any individual Of any party protesting deyo-
ton popular government Besides how vain and usory
would any other principle prove in practice in regard 10
ae Is apparent from the fact admitted
a that after Territory shall have entered the Union
ad become State constitutional power would then ex
switch could prevent 1t from either aboishing estab
ug slavery as the case may be- according to its sover
Hgn viii and pleasure
lot happy would 1t be for the country this long ag
huSn were at an end During its whole progress y has
Produced practical good any human being whilst II
has been the source Of great and dangerous evils 1t has
nated and estranged portion of the Union from the
oher and has seriously threatened its very exist
nce To my personal knowledge, II has produced
The impression among foreign nations that great and
glorious conederacy is in constant danger of dissolu
ton This does serious injury because acknowledge
power and stability always command respect among ma
tons, and among the best securities against unius
aggression and in favor Of the maintenance Of honorable
i peace W
ay We not hope that II is the mission Of the democratic
party now the only surviving conservative party Of tn
country, long 10 overthrow all sectional parties ant
restore tho peace friendship, and mutual confidence
rh'oh prevailed 10 the good old timo among the differ
e members Of the confederacy2 Its character Ia strictly
national and IL therefore asserts principle for the guild
ee Of the federal government which s not adopted and
sustained By its members in each and every State Fol
WE reason Il 10 everywhere the determined foe
geographical parties much and Justly dreaded by
faihe Of his Country From its very tsss con
unue loexst 80 long there constitution and Union tc
preserve Aconvction Observation-Disclosures many Of tn,
Ssi the abst and most independent Of our former oppo
e1s who have differed from in times gone by upon old
extinct party issues to come into ranks and devote
ourselves with us 10 the of the constitution and the
i yuon Under these circumstances | most eheersully
age Myself should the npminaion Of the convention be
uhea by the people that all the power aud influence
uuuonally possessed by the Executive shall be
| u IN brm but concilatory spirit during the single
I'm shall remain in Office to resiore the harmony
ne sister States which prevailed before this apple o
n the form Of slavery agitation, had been cast into
MIDST Let the members Of the family abstain from
with the exclusive domestic of each
L ana cordially unite, the basis Of perfect equality
- themselves In promoting the great national objects
common in,eres, TO ALL and the good work viii be in
'Inuy accomplished
rre5 % our foreign policy, 10 which you have re-
any yoSr communication, II Is quite impossible for
vodyona i0reSnqwledgn TO prescribe positive rules In
,.,ae 70 regulate the conduct OF future admins
81 = W me exiseneea which may arise IN our va.
r..s,ta. H t...t n.