The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-07-22
COL. rREMoNr's REPLY.

COL. FREMoNTs REPLY
Nmw YoRK, July g, 1856.
GENTLEMEN You call me to high re-
sponsibility by placing mo in the van of
grcat movement Of the People Of the United
States, who, without regard to past ditieren-
ces, are uniting in common effort to bring
hack the action of the Federal Government
to the principles of Washington and Jeffer-
son. Comprehending the magnitude OF the
trust which they have declared themselves
willing to place in my hands, and deeply
sensible of the honor which their unreserved
confidence, in this threatening position of the
public affairs, implies, | feel that | cannot
better respond by a sincere declaration that
in the event of my election to tho Presidea-
cv. I should enter upon the execution OF its
duties with single hearted determination to
promote the good Of the rSholc country, and
to direct solely to this end all the power Of
the Government. irrespective OF party issues
and regardless of sectional strlfcs. The de-
claration Of principles embodied in tho re-
solves of your Convention expresses the sen.
timents in which have been educated, and
which have been ripcnd into convictions by
nersonal observation and experience. With
this declaration and avowal, | think it neces-
sarv to revert to only two of the subjects en-
braccd in those resolutions, and to these only
because events have surrounded them with
crave and critical circumstances, and given
to them especial importance.
concur in the views of tho Convention
deprecating the Foreign policy to which 1t
adverts. The assumption that we have the
fight to take from another nation its domains
because We want them, is an abandonment
of the honest character which our Country
has acquired. TO provoke hostilities by un-
lust assumptions, would be to sacrifice the
peace and character of the Country, when
all its interests might be more certainly Sc
cured and its objects attained by just and
healing counses, involving no loss OF reputa-
ton. International embauassrncnts are main
" tile results of secret diplomacy, which
aims to keep from tho knowledge of the
Peoplc the operations of the Government
This system is inconsistent with the charac-
ter of the Government This system is IN
consistent with the character of our institu-
tions, and is itself yielding gradually to a
more enlightened public opinion, and to the
power of a free press, which, by Its broad
dissemination Of political intelligence, secures
| in advance to the side Of Justice the judgment
of the civilized world. An honest, firm and
open policy in our foreign relations, would
command the united support Of the nation,
whose deliberate opinions it would ncccssarl-
| ly reflect.
Nothing is clearer in the history Of our in
stitutions than the design Of the nation, in
asserting its own independence and freedom,
to avoid giving countenance to the Extension
of Slavery. The influence Of the small but
compact and powerful class of men interest
ed in Slavery, who command one section OF
the country and wicld a vast political control
as consequence in the other, is now direct.
ed 70 turn back this impulse Of the Revolu-
ton and reverse its principles. The Extcn-
sion of Slavery across the Continent is the
object of the power which now rules the
Government; and from this spirit has sprung
those kindred wrongs in Kansas so truly por-
trayed in one Of your resolutions, which
prove that the elements of the most arbltra-
ry governments have not been vanquished
by the just theory Of our own.
Il would be out of place here TO pledge
myself to any particular policy that has
been suggested to Terminate the sectional
controversy engendercd by political animosi.
ties, operating on powerful class banded
together by common interest. A practical
remedy is the admission Of Kansas into the
Union as a Free State. The South should
in my Judgment, earnestly desire such con.
summation. Il would vindicate its good faith
II would correct the mistake Of the repeal
and the North, having practically the benefit
Of tho agreement between the two sections
would be satisfied and good feeling be restor
ed. The measure is perfectly consistent with
the honor of the South end vital 10 its inter