Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-14

head and the tail of the period-glorious Old
Rough and glorious Mr.. Smooth-the personal
notably the simplicity which Mr. Fillmore nails
down as plank in the Philadelphia platform,
and so worthily plants himself upon. But, even
the conviction of certainly restored simplicity
in the person of Mr. Fillmore, and the still
inextinct luminaries of his former admins
tration, will scarcely fall upon the feelings
Of the faithful with half the consolation as
| the additional assurance of reinaugurating
that "parity" which so signalized both the
heads and hearts of the :" no party" reign.
Who has forgotten, who ever can forget the
| feeling of exultation which rose up in the big
heart of this great nation, like waters from
boiling spring at the unparalleled "purityn
which characterized the Calm and Gardner
transactions? Georgia Know-nothingism -
| Ohio Acknowledgements integrity,
| will 60 into spasms of delight at the certainty
ofreinstated "pu,1ty and simplicity" Willard
| is to bring tidings of great Joy to the despond-
| ing sons of men, the faithful believer, and we
| will not dispute that he has, however to call
from the mouth of the sepulchre, Lazarus
come forth" and Gaphin and Gardner shall
stand forth "decked to the full taste of flesh
and blood" eternal monuments Of that
| "purity" which Mr.. Fillmore promises, and
for which the faithful do hunger and thirst.
MIR. FiIImorc's Letter or Acceptance.
PARIS, May 81, 1856.
| GENTLEMEN: Ihave the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter informing me that the
| National Convention of the American party,
which had just closed its session at Philadelphia,
| had unanimously presented my name for the
| Presidency of the United States, and associated
with it that Of Andrew jackson Donelson for
| the Vice Presidency.
| This unexpected communication met me at
Venice, on myreturn from Italy and the dupli-
| cate mailed thirteen days later was received on
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 1853, / considered
my political life as public man at an end,
and thenceforth ! was only anxious to dis
charge my duty as private citizen. Hence
l have taken no active part In politics. but
| have by no means been an Indifferent spectator
| of passing events; nor have | hesitated TO ex-
press my opinion on all political subjects when
asked, nor to give my vote and private influ-
ence to those men and measures thought best
calculated to promote the prosperity and glory
of our common country Beyond this have
deemed it improper for me to interfere.
| But this unsolicited and unexpected nomi-
nation has imposed upon me new duty from
which cannot shrink; and therefore, approx
ing, as l do, the general objects Of the party
which has honored me with its confidence,
cheerfully accept its nomination, without wait
ing 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 large por-
ton of my felow.citizens in every part of the
Union, who, like myself are sincerely anxious
to see the administration of our Government
restored to that original simplicity and purity
which marked the first years of its existence
and, If possible, to quiet that alarming section
al agitation which, while it delights the mon
archists of Europe, causes every true friend of
our own country to mourn.
Having the experience of past service in the
administration of the 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 endeavor to per-
form every duty confded by the Constitution
and laws to the Executive.
As the proceedings of the Convention have
marked new era in the history of the country
by bringing a new political organization into
the approaching Presidential canvass, / take
4 tha ell 4 Il
the patriotic purposes of that organizations
which | regard as springing out Of public
necessity, forced upon the country to large
extent by unfortunate sectional divisions, and
the dangerous tendency of those divisions to-
wards dlsunion. 1t alone, in my opinion, of
all the political agencies now existing, is pos
sessed of the power to silence this violent and
disastrous agitation, and TO restore harmony by
| It's own example OF moderation and forbearance
1t has claim, therefore, in my Judgment upon
| every earnest friend of the integrity of the
Union. So estimating this party, both in its
present position and future destiny, freely
adopt its great leading principles as announced
in the recent declaration ofthe National Council
in Philadelphia, copy Of which you we're so
kind as to enclose me, holding them to be Just
and liberal to every true interest of the country,
and wisely adapted to the establishment and
support OF an enlightened, safe, and effective
American policy, in full accordance with the
ideas and the hopes Of the Fathers Of the
Republic.
expect shortly TO sail for America, and
with the blessing Of Divine Providence hope
soon to reach my native soil. Ny opportunity
OF comparing my own country and the condi
ton Of its people with those Of Europe has
only served to increase my admiration and
love for our blessed land Of liberty, and | shall
return to it without even desire ever to cross
The Atlantic again.
beg Of you, gentlemen, to accept my thanks
for the very hattering manner in which you
have been pleased 10 communicate the results
Of the action Of that enlightened and patriotic
body of men who composed the late convex
ton, and be assured that
am, with profound respect and esteem,
your friend and fellow citizen,
/ WILLARD FILLMORE.
Messrs Alexander II. II. Stuart, Andrew
Stuart, Erastus Brooks, E. b. Bartlett, VIM.
J. Eames, Ephraim Marsh, Committee, &c.