The Empire County argus., 1856-07-19
No. 81.
MIR. Fillmore's Letter Of Acceptance.
PARIS. May q. 1856.

GENTLEMEN 1 have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter. informing that the Ma
tional Convention of the American party which had
just closed its session at Philadelphia had unani-
mOusly presented my for the Presidency of the
United States and associated with it the name of
! Andrew jackson Donelson for the Vice Presidency
This unexpected communication met me at Venice
on my return from Italy, and the duplicate, mailed
thirteen days LATER received on my arrival in this
city last evening. This must account for my appa-
rent neglect III giving more prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that when nv ad-
mnisration closed in 1853, considered my political
life as public man at an end, and thenceforth was
only anxious to discharge my duty as private citi-
zen Hence have taken no active part in politics
But have by no means been an Indifferent spectator
of passing events nor have hestaed to express my
opinion all political subjects when asked nor to
give my vote and private influence for those men and
measures | thought best calculated to promote the
prosperity and glory of our country. Beyond
this L deemed it improper for me to interfere But
this unsolicited and unexpected nomination has i'm
posed upon me new duty, from which l cannot
shrink and therefore, approving as | do of the gen
era objects of the party which has honored me with
its confidence cheerfuy accept its nomination with
out waiting 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 portion of my
feow-citizens in every part of the Union who like
myself are sincerely anxious to the administration
of Government restored to that original simple
ity and purity which marked the first years of its ex
lsence and possible to quiet that alarming sectional
agitation, which, while it delights the monarchiss 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 permit
ted to refer to that the exponent of the future and
to say, should the choice of the Convention be sane
toned by the people, shall, with the same scrupu-
! I,tlg fh, ,ifrl,4 Of IL
Union which then influenced my conduct, endeavor to
perform every duty conded 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
a new political organization into the approaching
Presidential canvass, take the occasion to reaflirn
my full confidence in the patriotic purposes of that
organization, which | regard springng out of
public necessity, forced upon the country, to large
extent by unfortunate sectional divisions and the
tendency Of these divisions towards disunion. 1t
alone, in my opinion OF all the political agencies now
existing, is possessed of the power to silence this vo-
lent and disastrous agitation and to restore harmony
by its own example of moderation and torbearance
1t has claim, therefore, in my Judgment upon every
earnest friend of integrity in the Union.
So estimating this party, both in its present posi-
tOn and future destiny freely adopt its great lead
ing principles announced in the recent declaration
of the National Council at Philadelphia, copy OF
winch 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 the
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 of comparing my
own country and the condition of its people with
those of Europe has only served to increase my admi-
| ration and love for mr. bloccn1 1opd of
and shall return to it without desire ever to cross
the Atlantic again.
l beg of you, gentlemen, to accept my thanks for
the very fattering manner in which you have been
pleased to communicate the result of the action of
that enlightened and patriotic body of men who COM
posed the late Convention, and to be assured that
am, with profound respect and esteem, your friend
and ellow-citizen,
MILLARD FILLMORE
Messrs. Alex. H. HI. Stuart Andrew Stewart, Eras-
tus Brooks, r. B. Bartlett, VIM. j. Eames, Ephra-
! i'm Marsh, Committee