The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-20
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN.
MR. BUcHANAN's REPLY.

WHRATIANp, near lancaster, June TO- 1856.
GFSTIEaIS-l have the honor TO acknowledge the
ceip OF your communication OF the 18th instant inform
Ing Official y Of my nomination by the Democratic
National Convention recently held at Cincinnati as the
democratic candidate for the Office o. President OF the
United States shall notjattemp to express the CRATE
iul feelings which entertain towards my democratic fell
low citizens for having deemed worthy OF tIs-the
highest political honor eartli-an honor such the
people Of other country have the power to bestow.
Deeply sensible the and varied responsibility
tached to the station especially at the present crisis in
affairs have carefully refrained from seeking the
nomination either by word or by deed. Now that it has
been offered by the democratic party accept with
didence in my abilities. but with IN humble trust
that in the event Of my election may be enabled to dis
charge my duty in such to allay domestic
strife preserve peace aud friendship with foreign nations,
and p omoe the best interests OF the republic.
In accepting the nomination, need scarcely that
accep, in the same spin, the resolutions constituting
Platform Il principles erected by the Convention To this
iotln intend TO confine myself throughout tee can
vass, believing that have right the candidate Of
the democratic party by answering intcrrogaories, to
iresen, new and different is ue- before the people
will not be expected that III this answer should spe
ca rcfor the subject Of each Of the resolutions and
shall therefore conine myself TO the topics most
prominently before the people.
And, the first place cordially concur in tho senti
expressed by the Cow enon the subject of civil
and religions liberty No party founded on religious or
Political intolerance towards one class OF American c
2ens whether born il our own or IN foreign land can
long continue exist ia this country We all equal
the constitution and the dark spirit OF
aesposn bigotry which would create odious disnc
tons among fellow citizens will be speedily rebuked
by free and enlightened public opinion
The agitation the question OF domestic slavery has
too long distracted and divided the people Of this Union
and aenated their affections from each other This sg
t&ton has assumed many forms since its commencement
but To be directed chiefly to the Territories
and Judging from its present character think We may
safely anticipate that rapidly approachinga nality
The legislation OF Congress respecting domestic
slavery derived has been ron the original and pure
fountain OF legitimate political power the will OF the mao
ry, promises long to aay the dangerous excitement
ThScgs aton founded upon principles ancient as free
government itself and in accordance with them, has
simply declared that the people OF Territory like those
u themselves
shall or shall not exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act docs than give the
force Of law 10 this elementary principle Of segovern
mct declaring to be .'tc true intent and meaning Of
this act not to egsate slavery into any Territory
State to exclude it therefrom; but to leave the peo
pie thereof perfectly free form and regulate their do
mestc institutions in their way subject only to the
constitution the United - This principle will
surely not be controvered by any individual Of any
party protesting devotion TO popular government Be-
Sides how vain and iusory would any ether principle
prove in practice regard 10 the Territories. This Is
parent from the fact admitted by all, that after Terri
tory shall have entered the Union and become State,
constitutional power would then exist which could pre-
vent from either aboshng establishing slavery
the case may be, according TO its sovereign will and
pleasure.
taton at end. During its whole progress IL has
produced no practical good to any human being, whilst It
has been the Of great and dangerous evils. II has
and ctranged one portion Of the Union from the
other and has seriously threatened its very existence
To my own personal knowledge has produced the i'm
precision among foreign nations that and gtor
coniederacy is in constant danger OF dissolution
THIS does serious injury because acknowledged power
and stability always command respect among nations
and among the best securities against unjust agrees
favor Of the maintenance Of honorable peace.
May not hope that IT Is the mission of the demo-
cratic PARTY now the only surviving party
Of the country long overthrow all sectional parties
and restore the peace friendship and mutual confidence
which prevailed in the good old time, abng tse different
members OF the conedoraryp it, character strictly
tOnai, and it therefore INSERTS principle for the
guidance Of the federal government which il not adopted
and sustained by liz members in each and every State.
For this is everywhere the same determined foe
Of all geographical parties so much and justly dreaded
by tho Father OF his country From it, very nature
must continue to exist so long as there constitution
and Union preserve conviction of these truths has
induced many OF the purcst the ablcst and most indie
pendent OF our former opponents who have differed from
In timee BY upon old and extinct party issues 70
come into our ranks and devote themselves with us TO
the OF the constitution and the Union Under these
circumstances most cheerfully pledge myself should
the domination Of the Convention be ratified by the peo
pie that all the rover and influence consttuonally pos
ses,ed by the Executive shall be exeYted ia a firm
but conciliatory spirit during the single term shall
remain N Once, 70 restore inc same harmony among
the sister States which prevailed before this apple
OF dprtord, In the form OF slavery agitation had
been cast into their midst let the members Of the fam
" abstain from ntermeddng with the exclusive dornes
tic concerns Of each other and cordially unite the ba
sis o. perfect equality among themselves in promoting
the great national objects common interest TO all and
the good work viii be instantly accomplished.
In regard to our foreign policy To which You have re-
ferred IN your communication, II Is quite impossible for
any human foreknowiedge 70 prescribe positive rules in
advance to regulate the conduct Of future adminstra
ton all the exgence~ which may arise in our various
federal government must OF necessity exercise sound
discretion In dealing with International questions they
may occur but this under the strict responsibility which
the Executive always feel to the people Of the Uni
ted States and the judgment Of posterty. You will,
therefore for not entering into PARTICULARS
whilst heartily with you IN the general senti
mert that foreign affairs ought to be conducted with
such wisdom and nrmncse TO assure the prosperity Of
the people at home whist the interests and honor Of
country are wisely but inhexibly maintained abroad.
Our foreign policy ought 70 be based upon the prin
ce q doing justice all nations and requiring justice
from them return and from this principle shall
depart
my best 70 cultivate peace and friendship with
all nations believing this TO be highest policy as well
rs most imperative duty but at the time shall
forget that in the necessity should arise
AL Al mr. tioua tgh ND