Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-06-27

will have the honor of firing the first gun in this
great battle,so decisive triumph there will tend pow
etuy 10 encourage and strengthen the friends of the
constitution and the Union everywhere.
Respectfully, T. L. CLINGMAN
CITY OF WAsH1NGToN, June 20. 1856.
Nh. Buchanam's Letter of Acceptance.
The Hon. James Buchanan the democratic nomi-
nee for the Presidency, has written the following
letter to the committee of the Cincinnati Convention,
appointed 10 inform him of his nomination 1t will
be that he fully endorses the principle of the
Kansas Nebraska bill; cordially accepts the platform
of the Convention by which he was nominated, and
boldly espouses the doctrine of civil and religious
liberty:
WHEATLAND, NEAR LANCASTER
June 10th, 1856. {
Gentlenten:--l have the honor to acknowlede the
recei pt of your communication of the 18th instant
informing me officially OF my nomination by the
Democratic National Convention, recently held at
Cincinnati, the Democratic candidate for the Office
of President of the United States shall not attempt
TO express the grateful feeling which | entertain
towards my Democratic fellow citizens for having
deemed worthy OF this--the highest political
honor on earth-an honor such as the people of no
other country have the power to besow. Deeply
sensible of the and varied responsibility attached
to the station, especially at the present crisis in our
affairs, have carefully refraned from seeking the
nomination either by word or by deed. Now that it
has been offered by the Democratic party accept it
with diffidence in my Abilities bat with an hum.
bic trust that, in the event of my ection NAV be
enabled 10 discharge my duty in such manner as to
allay domestic strife, preserve peace and friendship
with foreign nations and promote the best interests
of the Republic.
In accepting the nomination, need scarcely saw
that | accept in the same spirit the resolutions con
shutting the platform OF principles erected by the
convention. TO this platform | intend to confne
myself throughout the canvass believing that have
| no right, the candidate of the Democratic party
by answering inlerrogatives, to present new and d
| terent issues before the people. .
1t will not be expected that in this answer should
specially refer to the subject of each of the resou
tons; and shall therefore confne myself TO the two
topics now most prominently before the people.
And in the first place do cordially concur in the
sentiments expressed by the convention on the sub
ject OF civil and religious liberty. No party founded
on religious political Intolerance towards one Class
of American citizens, whether born in our own or in
foreign land can long continue exist in this coun-
try. We all equal before God and the Constitu
ton and the dark spirit of despoism and bigotry
which would create odious distinctions among ouT
fellow citizens will be speedily rebuked by free and
enlightened public opinion.
The agitation of the question of Domestic Slavery
has too long distracted and divided the people of this
Union and alienated their affections from each other
! The agitation has assumed many forms since its
commencement but it TO be directed chief
y to the Territories and judging it's present char
acter, | think we may safely anticipate that it is
rapidly approaching fnality." The recent legis-
aton of Congress respecting domestic slavery deriv-
ed, as it has been from the original and pure foun-
tain of legitimate political power, the will of the
majority, promises ere long 10 alIay the dangerous
excitement This legislation is founded upon prin-
ciples, ancient free government itself, and in
accordance with them has simply declared that the
people of territory, like those of State shall de-
eide for themselves whether slavery shall shall nOg
exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does than give
the force of law to this elementary principle of self
government declaring it to be '' the true intent and
meaning of this act not to egisate slavery into any
. Territory or State, to exclude it therefrom but
to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in their own way,
subject only to the constitution of the United States
Tnls principle will surely not be conroverted by any
individual OF any party protesting devotion 10 popu-
lar government Besides, how vain and iusory
would any other principle Prove in practice in regard
to the Territories This is apparent from the fact ad-
mtted by all, that after Territory shall have enter
ed into the Union and become State costitution-
al power would then exist which could prevent il
from either abolshng establishing slavery the
case may be according to its sovereign will and plea
sure.
Most happy would it be for the country if this
long agitation at an end. During the whole
progress it has produced practical good to any
human being, Wills: it has been the source of grea
and dangerous evils. 1t has aienated and esrangel
} one portion OF the Union from the other and ha
even seriously threatened its very existence. 10 my
own personal knowledge, it has produced the impress
Gus COntederacy is IN constant danger OF dissolution
This does US serious injury, because acknowledged
power and stability always commands respect among
nations and among the best securities agains
unjust aggression and in favor of the maintenance
} honorable peace.
May not hope that it is the mission of TIT
Democratic party, now the only surviving conserva
tive party of the country, long to overthrow al
sectional parties and restore the peace, friendship
and mutual confidence which prevailed in the goot
old time, among the different members of the con
federacy. Its character strictly national, and
therefore asserts principle for the guidance OF tn
Federal Government which is not adapted and sus
tanned by its members in each and every State
For this reason it is everywhere the same determine
foe of all geographical parties much and just
t ly dreaded by the Father of his country. From 1t
very nature it must continue to exist so long Their
is Constitution and Union to preserve A con
, vicon of these truths has induced many OF the puT
est the ablest and most independent OF our torme
opponents, who have d ffered from us in times gon
by upon old and extinct party issues, TO come Int
our ranks and devote themselves with to the caus
of the Constitution and the Union. Under these cir
e cumstances, most cheerfully pledge myself shout
s the nomination of the Convention be ratified by tn
people, that all the power and influence, constitu
tonally possessed by the Executive, shall be exerted
in firm but conciliatory spirit, during the singl
term stall remain in office, to restore the same har
mo1y which prevailed among the sister States whic
prevailed before this apple of discod, in the form
J. Slavery agitation, had been cast into their midst
Let the members of the family abstain from inter
y meddling with the exclusive domestic concerns O
# ZACH other and cordially unite the basis of per
d feet equality among themselves, IN promoting tn
g great national objects of interest to all, an
will he iDSta ~ accommodated.