New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-06-18

Gentlemen-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter informing that the National
Convention of the American party, which had iasti
closed its session at Philadelphia, had unanimously
presented my name for the Presidency Of the United
States, and associated with it the name Of Andrew
Jackson Donelson for the Vice Presidency. This un
expected communication met at Venice, on my re-
turn from Italy, and the duplicate mailed thirteen
days LATER was received my arrival in this city last
evening. This must account for my apparent neglect
in giving more prompt reply. e.5sS l 75 5
You will pardon me for saying that when my ad-
minstration closed in 1858, c6sdered my political
life public man at end and thenceforth Lwas
only anxious to discharge my duty as private cit
zen. Hence have taken no active part in politics I;
but have by no means been an Indifferent spectator
of passing events, nor have hesitated to express
my opinion on all political subjects when asked nor
to give my vote and private influence for those men
and measures thought best calculated to promote
the prosperity and glory Of our common country.
Beyond this deemed it improper for me to interfere.
But this unsolicited and unexpected nomination has
imposed upon me a new duty, from which / cannot
shrink and, therefore, approving as do Of the gen
era objects Of the party which has honored me with
its confidence, cheerfully accept its nomination,
without waiting to inquire of its prospects of success
defeat. 1t is sufficient for me to know that by SO
doing yield to the wishes Of large portion Of my
fellow-citzens in every part Of the Union Who like
myself sincerely anxious to see the administration
of our Government restored to that original simpici-
ty and purity which marked the first years of its
stence and. if possible to quiet that alarming sec
lists Of Europe, every true friend of our own
country to mourn.
Having the experience of past service in the ad
ministlation Of the Government may be permitted
to refer to that the exponent Of the future and to
say, should the choice of the Convention be sane
toned by the people, shall, with the same scrupu
ous regard for the rights Of every section of the
Union which then influenced my conduct, endeavor
to perform every duty cOnided by the Constitution
and laws to the Executive.
As the proceedings Of this Convention have marked
new era in the history Of the country, by bringing
a new political organization into the approaching
Presidential canvass, take the occasion TO- feafrn
4 my full confidence in the patriotic purposes Of that
Reorganization, which regard asfsnFihg outgof
public necessity, forced upon the country to larg
extent, by unfortunate sectional divisions, and thu
tendency of these divisions towards disunion. I
alone. in my opinion, of all the political agencies nor
existing, is possessed of the power to silence this vic
lent and disastrous agitation, and to restore harmony
by its own example of moderation and forbearance
It has claim therefore, in my judgment upon every
earnest friend of integrity in the Union
So estimating this party both in its present position
and future destiny, freely adopt great leading
the National Council at Philadelphia, copy of which
you were so kind as to enclose me, holding them tt
be just and liberal to every true interest of the
try, and wisely adapted to the establishment and sup
port OF an enlightened, safe and effective American
policy in full accord with the ideas and the hopes
n the fathers of our Republic. #@ 5n5
Iexpect shortly to sail for America, and with tht
blessings Of Divine Providence, hope soon to treat
my native soil. My opportunity Of comparing m,
own country and the condition Of its people witt
those Of Europe, has only served to increase my ad
mration and love forour own blessed land of liberty
and shall return to it without desire ever to eros
the Atlantic again.
I beg Of you, gentlemen, to accept my thanks 70
the very tlattering manner in which you have bee
pleased to communicate the results of the action Q
that enlightened and patriotic body Of men who CON
posed the late Convention and to be assured that
am, with profound respect and esteem your frien
and felow-citizen, sF ~