The true Democrat., 1856-07-08
Mr. Fillmore's Reply.


 Gentlemen: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter informing me that the National Convention of the American par ty which had just closed its session at Phila- delphla 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 un- expected communication met me at Venice on my return from Italv and the duplicate 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 I considered my political life as public man at an end and therefore was only anxious to discharge my duty as private citizen. Hence have taken no active part in politics. But have by no means been an indifferent spectator of passing events, nor have l hesitated to express my oplnlon on all political subjects when asked, nor to glve my vote and private influence for those men and measures l thought best calcu- lated to promote the prosperity and glory of our common country. Beyond this 1 deemed it improper for me to interfere. But this unso- licited and unexpected nomation has imposed upon me new duty, from which 1 cannot shrink; and therefore, approving as do of the general objects of the party which has honored me with its confidence, l cheerfulv accept its nomination, without waiting to enquire of its prospects of success or defeat It is sufficient for me to know that by so doing I yield to the wishes of large portion of my fellow citizens in every part of the Union, who, like myself, are exceedingly anxious to see the administra- ton of our government restored to that original simplicity and purity which marke ed the first years of its existence; and if possible, to quiet that alarming sectional agitation which, while it delights the mnnarchists of Europe, causes every true friend of our own country to mourn.
 Having the experience of past services in the administration of the government, 1 may be permitted to refer to that as the exponent of the furure, and U, 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 in- huenced my conduct, endeavor to perform every duty confded by the Constitution and laws to the Executive.
 As the proceedings of this convention have marked new era in the history of the country by bringing new political organization into the approaching Presidential canvass, I take the occasion to re-affirm my full confidence ii the patriotic purposes of that organization, which l regard as Springing out of a public necessity, forced upon the country, to large extent by unfortunate sectional divisions, and the dangerous tendency of those divisions to- wards dlSunon. It alone, in my opnion of all the political agencies now existing, is possess ed of the power to silence this violent and dis astrouS agitation and restore harmony by its own example of moderation and torbearance. It 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, l freely adopt its great leading principles, as announced in the recent declaration of the National Council at Philadelp phia, a copy of which you were 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 accord with the ideas and hopes of the fathers of our Republic.
 expect shortly to sail for America, and with the blessings of Divine Providence, hope soon to tread my native soil. My opportunity for 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 own blessed land of liberty, and l shall return to it without ever the desire to cross the Atlantic again.
 I beg of you, gentlemen, to accept my thanks for the very hatterng manner in which you have been pleased to communicate the results of the action of that enlightened and patriotic body of men who composed the late convention, and to be assured that am, whith profound respect and esteem,
 Your friend and fellow citizen,
 WILLARD FILLMORE.