Oroville daily Butte record., 1856-07-17
Yours truly,
DOT.
FIr. Buchnnan's Letter or Acceptance.
WHEArLAnD, near Lancaster,
June Ii, 1856.

knowledge tht receipt Of your communlca'
ton Of the 18th inst, informing me othcial
ly Of my nomination by the Democratic Ma
tional Convention, recently held at Clncin-
natl. as the Democratic candidate for the
office of President of the United States.
shall not attempt to express the grateful
feelings which | entertain towards my Dem
ocratic fellow citizens for having deemed Inc
worthy OF this-the highest political honor
on earth--an honor such as the people OF no
other country have the power TO oestow.-
Deeply sensible of the vast and varied re
sponsibiity attached to the station, especial
ly at the present crisis in our affairs, have
carefully refraiued from seeking the nonn-
nation either by word or deed Now that
it has been offered by the Democratic party.
accept it with diaidence in my own abill-
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 al
lay domestic strife, preserve peace and
friendship with foreign nations, and pre-
serve the best interests of the Republic.
In accepting the nomination, need scarce
ly say that accept in the same spirit the re-
solutions constituting the platform OF prin-
ciples erected by the Convention. To this
platform | intend to confine myself through
out the canvass, believing that | have no
right, as the candidate OF the Democratic
party, by answering interrogatories, TO pre-
sent new and different issues before the
people.
1t will not be expected that in this answer
| should specially refer to the subject Of
each of the resolutions; and | shall there
fore contne myself to the two topics now
most prominent before the people.
And in the first place cordially concur
in the sentiments expressed by the Conyen-
ton on the subject of civil and religious
liberty.
No party founded on religious or p litical
intolerance towards one class of American
citizens, whether in our own or u foreign
land, can long exist in this country. We
are all equal before God and the Constitu
tion, and the dark spirit Of despotism and
b,gotry which would create odious dstinc.
tions among our fellow citizens will be spee-
dily rebuked by d free and enlightened no.
lie opinion.
The agitation on the question Of domestic
slavery has too long distracted and divided
the people Of this Uuion, and alienated their
affections from each otner. This agitation
has assumed many forms since its commenct-
ment, but it now seems to be directed chiefly
TO the Territories; and judging from its pre-.
sent character, think we may safely anti
cipate that it is rapidly approaching If
nalty" The recent legislation of Congress
respecting domestic slavery, derived, as it
has been, from the original and pure foun-
tain of legitimate political power, the will of
The majority, promises ere long to allay the
dangerous excitement This legislation is
founded upon principles as ancient as free
government itself; and in accordance with
them, has simply declared that the people
OF Territory, hike those of State, shall
decide for themselves whether slavery shall
or shall not exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does no more
than give the force of law to this elementary
principle OF government, declaring it TO
be ''the true intent and me esDing of this act
not to legislate slavery into any Territory
or State, nor TO exclude it therefrom; but to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institu-
tions in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States This
principle will surely not be coDtroverted by
any party processing devotion 10 popular
government Besides, how vain and illuso-
ry would any other principle prove in prac-
tice in regard to the Territories. This is
apparant from the fact, admitted by all.
that when Territory shall have entered
the Union and become State, no cons titu.
tional power would then exist which could
prevent it from either abolishing or estab-
fishing slavery, as the case may be, accord.
ing to its sovereign will and pleasure.
Most happy would it be for the country
if this hong agitation were at an end. Du.
ring its whole progress it has produced no
practical good to any human being. whilst it
has been the source of great and dangerous
evils. 1t has alienated and estranged one
portion of the Union from the other, and has
even seriously threatened its very exist
ence. Tony own personal knowledge, il has
produced the impression among foreign ma
tions, that our great and glorious conseder-
acy is in constant danger of dissolut utisn.-
This does US serious injury because ac-
knowleJged power and stability always COM
ma nd respect among nations, and are among
the best securities against unjust aggres.
sion and in fa vor Of the maintenance Of hon.
orable peace.
May we not hope that it is the mission of
the Democratic party. now the only survi-
wing conservative party of the cosntry, ere
long to overthrow all sectional parties and
restore the peace. friendship and mutual con-
fdence which prevailed in the good old time,
among the different members of the confed-
eracy! Its character ia strictly National.
and it therefore asserts no principle for the
guidance Of the Federal Government which