The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-06-14
MIR. EilimOrc's Letter of AC-
Ccptancc,
PARIS, Nav 2lst, 1856.

knowledge the receipt of your letter, inform
ing me that the National Convention of the
American party. which has just closed it's
session at Philadelphia, had unanimously
presented my name for the Presidency of the
United States and associated with it that of
Andrew jackson Donclson for the Vice Pres
idency. This unexpected communication
met INC Mt Venice, on my return from Italy.
and the duplicate, mailed thirteen days later.
was received OH my arrival in this city last
evening.
This must account for my apparent neglect
in giving more prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that, when
my administration closed in 1858, | consid-
cred my political life as public man at an
end and thenccforth was only anxious to dis
charge my duty as private Citizen. Hence
| have taken no active part in politics, but
have by nc means been an indifferent spccta-
tor of passing events, nor have hcsitatcd 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 pros
| pcrity and glory of our common country
| Beyond this, have deemed it improper for
me to interfere.
But this unsolicited and unexpected nom-
nation has imposed upon mea new duty,
from which | cannot shrink; and therefore
| approving, as do, the general objects of the
party which has honorcd me with its conf
| dence, | checrfuly accept its nomination,
without waiting to inquire Of its prospects Of
| success or defeat. 1t is sufficient for me to
know that by so doing yield to the wishes
Of a large portion Of my fellow.c citizens in
every part Of the Union, who like myself,
| are sincerely anxious to see the adminstra-
ton OF our government restored to that origi.
nal simplicity and purity which marked the
first years Of its existence, and, if possible,
| to quiet that alarming sectional agitation
which while it delights the monarchists of
Europe, causes every true friend of our own
country to mourn.
Having the experience Of past service in
the administration oflhe government, may
be permitted to refer TO that as the exponent
of the future, and to say, should the choice OF
the convention be sanctioned by the people,
! Shall, with the same scrupulous regard for
the rights Of every section of the Union which
| then influenced my conduct, endcavOr to per.
form every duty coniided by the Constitution
and laws to the Executive.
As the proceedings of the convention have
marked new era in the history of the coun-
try. by bringing new political organization
into the approaching Presidential canvass,
take the occasion to rcattirm my full conf.
dence in the patriotic purposes of that organ.
isation, which regard as springing out Of a
public necessity forced upon the country tt
a large extent by unfortunate sectional divi
sions and the dangerous tendency of those di
visions towards dsunion.
1t alone,in my opinion, Of all the political
agencies now existing, is possessed of the
power to silence this violent and disastrous
agitation. and to restore harmony by its owl
example of moderation and lorbearancc. Il
has claim, therefore, in my judgment. upor
every earnest friend Of the integrity of tn
Union.
SO estimating this party, both in its prcscn
position and future destiny freely adopt it.
great leading principlcs,a las announced in tn,
recent declaration Of the National Council il,
Philadelphia, a copy of which you were sc
kind as to enclose nc, holding them to be jus
and liberal to every true interest of the coun
try, and wisely adapted to the establishment
and support of an enlightened, safe and ef
fcctive American policy, in full accord will
the IDEAS and the hopes of the fathers Of GU
Republic.
expect shortly to sail for Americn, ant
with the blessings of Divine Providence, hop
sood to tread my native soil. My opportunt,
Of comparing my own country and the con
dition os the people with those of Europe, ha
only served to increace my admiration ant
love Of our blessed land of liberty and shall
return to it without even desire to cross tn
Atlantic again.
Ibeg Of you, gentlemen. to accept my
thanks for the very tlattcring manner in whic
you have been pleased to communicate the re
suit of the action Of that enlightened and pat
rio,ic body Of men who composed the late con
vention, and to be assured that | am, wit
profound res pect and esteem. yourfriend an
fellow zcitien, WILLARD FILLMORE.