Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-08
Hon. JNo. c. BREcKINRIDGE.
LEXINGTON, KY, June %, 1856.

l1oH. oNO. ~. DhECklNhlDGE.
LEXINGTON, KY, June %, 1856.
GENTLEMEN: have received your letter of
the 18th instant, giving me official information
of my nomination by the Democratic National
Convention for the Office of Vice President of
the United States. / feel profoundly grateful
to the Democracy for this distinction, so far
above my merits and expectations, and accept
the nomination, with the pledge that lift should
result IN imposing on me any public duties,
shall exert whatever power possess to dis
charge them with fidelity.
The convention wisely selected for the first
place IN the government an eminent statesman
whose character and public services furnish a
guarantee that his administration will com
mand confidence at home and respect abroad.
The platform adopted by the convention has
my cordial approval. ! regard it as the only
basis on which the Union can be preserved in
its original spirit. Adopted, as it was, by the
unanimous votes of the delegates from all the
States, 1T shows that amidst the distractions of
the times there remains one united and power
full organization whose common principles ex-
tend over every foot of territory covered by the
federal Constitution. After the recent repeated
and deplorabe failures of other parties to pre-
sent to the country national organization, we
unanimity which marked the proceedings of
the Democratic Convention; and the patriot
may point to the fact, as pledge Of constitu-
tional union, that the delegates from Maine and
Texas, from South Carolina and California,
were as thoroughly united upon every question
OF principle as those from the neighboring
southern States of Tennessee and Kentucky,
or those from the neighboring northern States
of Wisconsin and Michigan.
This community of sentiment, this feeling of
brotherhood, gives hope of perpetual Union.
1t has been the happy fortune of the Demo
cratic party, by adhering to the Constitution,
which was made to protect us all, to avoid the
geographical and sectional issues against
which Washington solemnly warned his coun-
trymen; and we have every reason TO believe
that it is yet equal to the high duty which now
devolves on it of preserving the Constitution
and maintaining the rights of every portion of
the confederacy. If the unsound elements
which troubled it for a time have sought con-
genial associations elsewhere, the loss has been
more than supplied by accessions from the
flower of the old whig party; and, thus rein
forced, it will be the destiny of the Democracy.
under the lead of their distinguished chief, to
maintain the high position Of our country
before the world; to preserve the equality Of
every class of citizens; to protect the perfect
liberty OF conscience; and to secure the peace
OF the Union by rendering equal justice to
every part
With sincere acknowledgements for the
friendly personal sentiments contained in your
letter, ! am, respectfully, your friend and
obedient servant,
JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.
Messrs Ward, Richardson, Hibbard, Lawrence.
Brown, Manning, Forsyth, Tucker, Seymour,
and Preston.
~ Hon John A. Dix, of New York, who
has been looked upon by the Free-soilers as
one Of their number, has announced himself
heartily in favor Of Buchanan and Breckin.
ridge. He announces that he will take an
early and active part in the political canvass,
and adds:
/ consider the nomination of Mr.. Buchanan
a very fortunate one, both for the Democracy
and the country; and / look with confidence
to his ability, experience, and sound Judgment
for satisfactory adjustment Of the disturbing
questions by which the public peace is en-
dangered. Firmness, moderation, good sense
and fearlessness in the discharge of official
duty are always indispensable to the admins
tration of our Government, representing, as it
does, u great variety Vi interests, ana tney are
prominently SO at the present juncture.
Few of our public men are as much distin.
gnished for these qualities as Mr.. Buchanan,
and he combines with them thorough know
ledge Of public affairs, foreign as well as do.
mestic. Believing him to be able, honest, and
equal to any emergency likely to arise in the
administration of Government, / shall give to
the Democratic ticket cordial support.
EXTREMES MEET.-We do not know of an
Atheist aterialist, in the United States from
the Rev. Theodore Parker and William LLOYD
Garrison, to William Mendum, the basphe. |
nous publisher Of the Boston Investigator who |
is not rabid Abolitionist and supporter Of
Fremont Nor do we know of Spiritualist |
so called but stands in precisely the same cate |
CORY. How does the orthodox Christian, who |
may be inclined TO favor the mad schemes Of |
the disunionists like the society in which he |
will find himself placed if he joins the crusade |
against the Constitution p ennsylpanian.
Destruction by Fire.
The amount Of property destroyed by fire in
the United States during the last six months
appears from the following table:
No of Amt OF Do in