Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-06-21
PARIS. MAY 81. 1856.

Ah4ss May AAs AoSo'
Gentlemen-l have the honor to acknowledge
The receipt of your letter informing me that the
National Convention of the American party,
which had just closed its session at Philadel>
phia, had unanimously presented my name fol-
the Presidency Of the United States, and as
ISOLATED with it the name of Andrew jackson
Donelson for the Vice Presidency. This un-
expected communication met me at Venice. on
my return from Italy, 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 a more
prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that when
my administration closed in 1853, / considered
my political life as a public man at an end, and
thencefoFth | was only anxious to discharge
my duty as a private citizen. Hence ] have ta>
ken no active part in politics; but | have by no
means been an Indifferent spectator of passing
events, nor have I hesitated to express nv
opinion on all political subjects when asked,
NOT to give my vote and private influence for
those men and measures Thought best ~calcuIa-
ted to promote the prosperity and glory Of our
common country. Beyond this | deemed it
improper for me to interfere. But this un-
solicited and unexpected nomination has im-
posed upon me a new duty, from which | cans
not shrink; and, therefore, approving as ! do of
the general objects Of the party which has
honored me with its confidence, | cheerfully
accept its nomination, without waiting to in~
qnire of its prospects of success or defeat. 1t
is sufficient for me to know that by so doing |
Weld to the wishes of a large portion of my
fellow citizens in every part of The Union, who
like myself, are sincerely anxious to see the
administration of our Government restored to
that original simplicity and purity which marks
cd the FIRST years Of its existence, and, if posi-
bic, to quiet that alarming sectional agitation,
which,, while it delights the monarchists of
Europe, causes every true friend Of our 0wn
country to mourn.
Having the experience of past service in the
administration of the Government, | NAV be
permitted TO refer to that as the exponent of
The future, and tosay, 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
Influenced nv conduct, endeavor 10 perform
every duty con6ded by the Constitution and
laws to the Executive.
As the proceedings of this Conve ntion have
marked a new era in the history of the coun-
try, by bringing a new political organization
into the approaching Presidential canvass, |
take the occasion TO re%-atfirm my full conis
deuce in the patriotic purposes of that organizes
ton, which | regard as springing out of Il pub
lie necessity, forced upon the country, to a
large extent, by unfortunate sectional divisions,
and the tendency of these divisions towards
ajsuuiOn. l. alone, in my opinion, of all the
political agencies now existing, is possessed of
the power to silence this violent and disastrous
agitation, and to restore harmony by its own
example of moderation and f0rbearance. II
has a claim, therefore, in my judgment, upon
egsFy earnest friend of integrity in the Union.
SO estimating this party, both in its present
poeition and future destiny, | freely adopt its
great leading principles as announced in the
recent declaration of the National Council at
Philadelphia, a copy of which you were so
kind as 10 enclose me, holding them to be just
and liberal to every true interest Of the coun>
try, and wisely adapted to the establishment
and support of an enlightened, safe and effecs
tive American policy, in full accord with the
ideas and the hopes of the fathers of our Re-
public.
expect shortly to sail for America, and with
the blessings Of Divine Providence, hope soon
70 tread my native soil. Ny opportunity of
comparing my own country and the condition
Of its people with those of Europe, has only
served to increase my admiration and love for
our own blessed land OF liberty, and shall re.
turn to it without g desire ever TO cross the
Atlantic again.
beg of you, gentlemen, TO accept my thanks
for the very 1attering manner in which you
have been pleased to communicate the results
ofths action of that enlightened and patriotic
body of men who composed The late Conven-
sion, and to be assured that I am, with profound
respect and esteem, your friend and fellows
citizen, WILLARD FILLMORE.
Messrs. Alex. III. III. Stuart, Andrew Stewart,
Erastus Brooks, e. B. B. Bartlett, VIM. ].
Eaues, Ephraim Marsh, Committee.