Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-09-26
The Vice Presidency--The
Declination of VIM. F.
Johnston.

The following Is the letter of EX-
Gov. WIN. F. Juhnston Of Penn,
declining the nomination for the
Vice Presidency, made by the North
American patty at New York:
PITrsBuaoH, Pa Aug. %, 1856.
Tor. H. Raggies and S. NJ A.
len, Chairman and Correspond
iag Secretary Of the american
NdtioR1i Committee
My DEAR SIRs,-PatrIotism de-
mands of tie American party its dis
appreciation of the measures Of the
present national administration, as
well as the defeat of those who have
willingly aud cheerlully endorsed,
and are pledged to support, its for
eign and domestic policy.
Its selection Of agents to, and their
management Of our affairs at, other
Courts, has Justly rendered it OBJ
noxlous to the condemnation of the
whole American panpla When the
: present administration assumed the
conduct OF our domestic affairs, all
causes Of sectional strife had been
removed, and peace and fraternal
concord existed among the States
aud people OF the coniederacy.
With controlling influence in all
departments of government, we are
informed by the admissions and
declarations of its friends and adyo-
Gates. that at this moment discord,
sectional strife aud angry agitation,
dangerous 10 the permanency Of cher
lshed Union. have been brought upon
the country. These evil things are
Justly attributable 10 lis action and
ambition. Our character among the
nations of the earth has been degrad-
! ed by the authorized announcement
on the part OF It's employees that our
government was unwilling or unable
TO control and check the rapncious
longlngs for the possessions of neigh.
boring and weaker nations, falsely
admitted to exist among our citizens
The revenues of the country have
been devoted TO sustain wastefu
and extravagant administration OF ou,
affairs, while appropriations for the
ludlcious improvement of our rivers
and harbors have been resisted and
refused Territory Of the United
States has been desoldlcd and de.
populated by civil brols, while with
in IT'S borders laws have been enacted
and Others adjudged to exist anC
attempted to be enforced by the gov
ernment that are destructive of the
sacred rights of free people,
To restore the government 10 II,
legitimate purposes---to preserve The
( Unon and constitution from dissou-
ton aud destTuctlon--tO re-eslahlisl
the high reputation of our country
abroad for fair dealing and just nc
ton toward other nutions--lo devot,
our surplus revenues 10 national i'm
provemenls required for the security
of commerce and the safety of trav
el--lo preserve TO free labor the vas
aud fertile plains of Kansas in obedi
ence TO the compacts of purer an,
a wiser geuerallOn-to abrogate uu
Just, lyrannical and wicked laws, anc
to protect the clllzens, against tn
odlous doctrine of constructive ludic
ial lreasons-would seem to be lh
dictate of rational patriotism an,
enlightened humanity.
To effect the entire condemnation
Of those monsirous abuses and usur
pailons, the defeat OF the nominees o
the Cincinnati Convention Is al
admitted necessity.
TO accomplish this desirable re
suit united action must be secure,
among the opponents Of the naliona
administration.
Believing tha, the American part,
whose candidate for the Vice Pres
dcncy | became 10y the action of tn
New York Convention, comedies II
these views, aud that their candidate
for the Presidency will carry then
into effect, aud feeling that II ha
heretofore made every effort that III
correction OF these wrongs demand
ed Of il, to secure harmony of aclIo
among the opponents Of the natIona
administration, and convinced that
is still willing to place upon the alta
of our country's welfare all It's prefer
! ences for men, and knowing that II