Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-04-15
TuLiP GaovE, near Nashville.

| March S0th, 1886. /
Gentlemen:-I did receive until Yesterday YOUR OIL
cial of the 26h OF February last informing
nomination TO the Office of Vice President by the Amer
can party, and asking my acceptance of tho same.
For the hsttcrng terms in which you have communica
ted this proceeding, beg leave offer YOU my sincere
thanks accept the position assigned by the Amer
lean party with just trust Of the responsibility
belonging to it, attended the Convention with no ex
pectston that such honor awaited me, and II
feelings and wishes could have bcu consulted would
have fallen upon some other member of the American
party, in whose ranks May distinguished indiv-
dua better known TO the country AMI better prepared
by experience Tor the high duties of the station should
the voice of the people be in accord with that of which
the organ on this occasion. But acting upon the
maxim LETT by the great of the earlier days Of
Republic, that public office should be neither sought nor
declined, yield to the judgement OF those who have
thought that my might be OF service in advancing
the important objects which constitute the American
party.
Our leading idea is that the old parties Democratic
aud Whig have ceased their former heathfu
huence in the management of the pnbc interest aud
without the intervention OF reforms which they
effect the beloved Constitution and Union bequeathcd
to by Forefathers, will long be preserved
For the OF the evils with which threatened
at the present period the administration of President
Pierce is evidently responsible but Instead of finding his
party engaged in the prosecution OF avert the
dangers he has brought upon the land, il
tive than in scattering the seeds of sectional sc
aud social anarchy.
When Gen. Jackson came into the Presidency he &C.
knowedged in mis- inaugural address the obligation of
vernment, that should be brought into conflict
with the freedom of elections But modern Democracy
stands in direct antasonim to this obligation. There is
scarcely an election precinct IN the United States which
has not witnessed the shameful Interference with
elections by the agents OF the Federal Government acting
in the name of Democracy.
In former times When parties created by patriotic
and national sentiments upon of general inter
ests to the whole country, heard that
could be declared Democratic in place and not Demo-
cratic in another by leading protesting belong
z tNh tod Inv
the party in the pay of the present Executive The
necessary result OF such corruption IL successfully OPP
posed must be to destroy all political morality and cou-
nue power in uniaithfs and incompetent hands by the
Influence OF the money derived from the which
paid by the people for sr different purposes Ii is TN
deniable that the antagonism prevailing between the
North and the South main, attributable the political
arthce which has enabled holding directly opposite
opinions the power of Congress the institution
slavery in the Territories but yet protesting belong
the same Democratic party The Nebraska Kansas is
constantly called by portion OF the Democrats law
which will prevent the extension of slavery the Terri
tories, and by another portion law which viii enable the
South to carry slavery to the Territories. BY the
alhcy, secession, notification, abolition and all other
have found shelter under the flag OF democracy explain
ed as it i by modern interpreters.
In former times also best patriots without dstnc-
ton OF party spoke of the necessity of guarding the ballot
box from the dangers OF foreign influence aud of keeping
separate the Church and State and of
derived from frequent the earlier advice
our fathers which nculcated for the compacs
OF the Constitution. and the abstinence whatever
tended TO form Geographical parties array section
the Union against another. Now, however the whole
the Federal Government brought against
any individual who has the independence declare his
attachment to those old fashioned sentiments Whole
classes OF stand prescribed aud ostracsed no other
offence than that of joining association which seeks only
TO correct the Of party spirit and restore the
Government to the purity possessed when received it
from the hands of those gs who founded and reformed it,
Looking, gentlemen, upon the American party des-
tined tn eradicate the evils which have thus briefly
adverted am proud to he called one OF it, MEMBER
ony regret that in selecting it, IA bearers the choice
for the vcePresden: bad fallen upon who could
bring To the higher guarantees for its than
can be drawn from the humble services have heretofore
rendered INV country.
Thanking you again for the kind in which you
have expressed your personal qualification the nomna.
tions, ! subscribe myself
Very respectfully,
Your ob'dt serv't
\. j. DONELSON.
To Aessrs Alex. II. H. Stuart of Virginia Andrew Ste.
wart, of Pennsylvania; Erastus Brooks of New York
E. B. Bartlett, of Kentucky VIM. J. Eames. OF Mas
saehusetts; Ephraim Marsh, of Ne" Jersey.