Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-07-17
Frsmont's letter of Acceptance of the Re-
publican Nomination

New York, July 8, 1856
GENTLRAES-You call me 10 high responsibility
by placing me in the van of great fovemsn of the
People of the United States who without regard
to past differences, are uniting III a common effort
to bring back the action of the Federal Government
to the principles of w ashington and jefferson Com
pretending the magnitude of the trust which they
have declared themselves willing to place in nv
hands, and deeply sensible of the honor which their
unreserved confidence, in this threatening position
OF the public affairs, implies, feel that cannot bet
ter respond than by sincere declaration that, in
the event of my election to the Presidency, should
enter upon the execution of its duties with a single.
hearted determination to promote the good of the
whole country, and to direct solely to this end all
!he power OF the government, irrespective of party
Issues and regardless of sectional strifes The de-
ciaralon OF principles emb odied in the resolves of
your Convention expresses the sentiments in which
have been educated, and which have been ripened
INTO convictions by personal observation and expert
ence. With this declaration and avowal think i'll
necessary to revert to only of the subjects en-
braced In these resolutions, and to these only be-
cause events have surrounded them with grave and
critical circumstances, and given to them especial
Importance.
| concur in the views of the Convention deprsca
ting the foreign policy to which it adverts The az.
sumption that we have the right to take from an
other nation Its domains because want them, is
an abandonment of the honest character which our
country has acquired. To provoke hostilites by
unjust assumptions, would be- to sacrifice the peace
ana character of the country when all its interests
u
tanned by just and healing counsels, involving no
loss OF reputation. International endorsements
are mainly the results of secret diplomacy which
AIMS to keep from the knowledge of the people the
operations OF the Government. This system is in
consistent with the character ofour Institutions and
Is itself gradually yielding to a more enlightened
public opinion, and to the power of a free press,
which, by Its broad dissemination of political intel
gence secures in advance to the side OF justice the
Judgment of the civilized world. An honest firm
anu open policy III foreign relations, would com
nand the united support OF the nation whose de-
hberate opinions 1t would necessarily reflect.
Nothing is clearer in the history of our institutions
than the design of the nation, III asserting its own
independence and freedom, to avoid giving count
enance to the extension of slavery. The influence
OF the small but compact and powerful class of men
interested In Slavery, who command one section of
the country and WELD a vast political control
consequence in the other, is now directed to turn
back this impulse of the Revolution and reverse its
prlncipes-The extension of slavery across the con.
tincnt is the object of the power which rules
the government; and from this spirit has sprung
those kindred wrongs in Kansas so truly portrayed
IN one OF your resolutions which proves that the
elements of the most arbitrary governments have
not been vanquished by the just theory of own.
1t would be out of place here to pledge myself to
any particular policy that has been suggested to ter
inmate the controversy engendered by political ami
moslhes, operating powerful class banded to.
gether by common interest. A practical remedy
Is the admission of Kansas into the Union as Free
state. The South should, III my judgment, earnest
ly desire such contamination. 1t would vindicate
Its good faith 1t would correct the mistake of the
repeal and the North, having practically the benefit
of the agreement between the two sections would be
satisfied and good feeling be restored. The measure
is perfectly consistent with the honor of the South
and vital to its interests That fatal act which gave
birth to this purely sectional strife originating in the
scheme to take from Free Labor the country secured
TO II by solemn covenant, cannot be too dis
armed OF It's pernicious force. The only genial re-
Sion OF the middle ATTITUDES left to the emgrans OF
the Northern States for homes cannot be conquered
from the Free Laborers who have long considered it
as set apart for them in inheritance without pro-
voklng desperate struggle. Whatever may be the
persistence of the particular class which seems ready
10 hazard everything for the success of the unjust
scheme it has partially effected, firmly believe that
the great heart of the nation which throbs with the
patriotism of the Frcemen of both sections will have
power to overcome it. They will look to the rights
secured to them forever by the Constitution of the
mon as the best safeguard from the oppression of
me class which, by monopoly of the soil and of
slave Labor TO till it, might in time reduce them
me extremity OF iaboring upon the same terms with
the slave.
The great body of the Non -Slaveholding freemen,
including those OF the south, upon whose welfare
Slavery is an oppression will discover that the pow
or OF the General Government over the public lands
may be beneficiay exerted to advance their inter
ests and secure their independence; knowing this,
their suttrages will not be wanting to maintain that
authority in the Union which is absolutely essential
to the maintenance of their own liberties and which
has more than once indicated the purpose of dspo
every settler upon them freeholdor
If the People ntrust to me the administration Of
the Government the laws of Congress in relation to
the Territories, shall be faithfully executed All its
authority shall be exerted in aid of the National will
to reestablish the peace of the country the Just
principles which have heretofore received the sane
ton of the Federal Government of the states and of
the People of both sections.
Such policy would leave no aliment TO that sec
tiona party which seeks its ACKNOWLEDGEMENT by ap-
propriating the new territories to capital IN the form
of Slavery, but would inevitably result in the tri
umph OF Free Labor-the natural capital, which
constitutes the real wealth of this great country, and
creates that intelligent power in the Masses alone to
be relied on az the bulwark of free institutions.
Trusting that have heart capable of comprc- |
hending our whole country, with its varied interests,
and confident that patriotism exists in all parts of
the Union, accept the nomination of your conven-
ton in the hope that may be enabled to serve use
fully its cause which consider the cause Of Consti-
tutiOnal Freedom.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
j. e. FREMONT.
TO Messrs. Fl. S. Lane iPresident) James c. Ash |