The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-07-02
WnEATLAxD, near Lancaster !
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June 16, 1856.
GExrLEMEH:-I have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your communication of the
18th instant, informing me officially OF my NOM
ination by the Democratic National Convention
recently held at Cincinnati, as the Democratic
candidate for the office of President of the Uni
tel States. shall not attempt to express the
grateful feelings which entertain towards my
fellow citizens for having deemed me worthy Of
this--the highest political honor on earth-an
honor such as the people of no other country
have the power to bestow. Deeply sensible Of
the vast and varied responsibility attached to
the station, especially at the present crisis in
our affairs, have carefully refained from seeking
the nomination either by word or by deed
Now that it has been offered by the Democratic
party, accept it with difiidence in my own abil-
;ties, but with an humble trust, that in the event
of my election, may be enabled to discharge
my duty in such manner as to allay domestic
strife, preserve peace aud friendship with for
eign nations, and promate the best interests of
the Republic.
In accepting the nomination, need scarcely
say that l accept in the same spirit, the resofu-
tions constituting the platform Of principles
erected by the convention. To this platform l
intend to confna myself Throughout the canvass
believing have no right, as the candidate Of
the democratic party, by answering interroga-
tories, to present new and different issues be-
fore the people.
1t will not be expected that in this answer, l
should especially refer to the subject Of each OF
the resolutions and l shall therefore confine
myself to the two topics now most prominently
before the people.
And in the first place, cordially concur in
the sentiments expressed by the convention on
the. subject Of civil and religious liberty. No
party founded on religious or political intolcr-
ance towards one class of American citizens,
whether born in our own or in foreign land,
can long continue to exist in this country. We
are equal before God and the the Constitution;
and the dark spirit of despotism and bigotry
which would create odious distinctions among
our fellow citizens will be speedily rebuked by
free and enlightened public opinion.
The agitation on the question Of domestic
slavery has too long distracted aud divided the
people Of this Union and alienated their afec-
tons from each other. This agitation has as
sumed many forms since its commencement, but
it now seems to be directed chiefly to the Ter
ritories; and judging from its present character,
/ think we may safely anticipate that it is rap
idly approachinga 'finality.' The recent legis-
lation Of Congress respecting domestic slavery,
derived, as il has becn from the original and
pure fountain Of legitimate political power, the
viii of the majority, promises erelong to allay
the dangerous excitement. This legislation is
founded upon principles, as ancient as free gov
ernmentitself and in accordance with them, has
simply declared that the people Of Territory
like those of state, shall decide for themselves
whether slavery shall or shall not exist within
thairlimits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does no more thar
give the force oflaw to this elementary principle
Of self government; declaring it to be the true
intent and meaning Of this act not to legislate
slavery into any territory or state, nor to ex-
clude it therefrom; but TO leave the people
thereof perfectly free to form and regulate Their
domestic institutions in their own way, subject
only to the Constitution Of the United States
This principle will surely not be controverteC
by any individual Of any party protesting dcvo
fiaa TO popular government. Besides, how vair
and and illnsary would any other principle prove
il practice ID regard to the territories! This il
apparent Gaom the fact admitted by all, that az
Ter q torritory shall have entered the Union ant
become State, no constitutional power wgplG
then exist which could prevaatit either abolish.
ins or establishing slavery, as the case may be
ascVrding teat sovereign will and pleasure.
Most happy woulditbe for lho country il thii
long agitation were ataneud During It's Who'll
progress i has produced no. practical good 4
any human haing, Whilstitha been tbs sourc,
of great and dangerous erils II has alanates
and estEangod ono portion Of tho Union from