The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-06-20
PARIS. May 2Ist. 1856.

PARIS, May 2lst, 1856.
Gentleman have the honor To acknOwl-
edge the receipt Of your letter informing me
that the National Convention Of the American
party which had just closed its session al
Philadelphia, 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 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 n
more prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that when
my administration closed in 1853, consider
ed my political life ms public man at m end,
and thencefOrth was only anxious to die.
charge my duty as private citizen. Hence
have taken no active part in politics. But
have by no means been an Indifferent specta-
tor of passing events, nor have hesitated TO
express my opinion on all political subjects
when asked, nor to give my vote and private
influence for those men and measures |
thought best calculated to promote the pr os-
perity and glory Of our common county,
Beyond this deemed it improper for me to
interfere. But this unsolicited and unexpect.
ed nomination has imposed upon me new
duty, from which ] cannot shrink; and there.
fore, approving, rs do, of the general objects
of the party which has honored me with its
confidence, cheerfuly accept its nomination
without waiting to enquire of its prospects of
success or defeat. II is sufficient for me to
know that by so doing yield to the wishes
Of 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 marked the first
years of its existence; and if possible, to quiet
that alarming sectional agitation, which,
while it delights the Monarchisls of Europe,
Causes every friend of our own country to
mourn.
Having the experience of past service in the
administration Of the Government, / may be
permitted to refer to that MS the exponent of
the future, and to say, should the choice of
the Convention be sanctioned by the people,
shall with the same scrupu'ous regard for
the rights Of every section of the Union which
then influenced my conduct. endeavnr tn ner-
form avery duty confded by the Constitution
and Inv to the Executive.
As the proceedings of this Convention have
marked new era in the history of the coun.
try, by bringing a new political organization
into the approaching Presidential canvass, |
take the occasion to reaffirm my full conf.
dcnce in the patriotic purposes of that organi.
cation, which regard rs springng out of
public necessity, forced upon the country, to
large extent, BY unfortunate sectional d.
visions, and the dangerous tendency of those
divisions towards disunion. II alone, in my
opinion, Of all the political agencies now ex-
isting, is possessed of the power 10 silence
this violent and disastrous agitation, and TO
restore harmony BY its own example of
moderation and forbearance. II 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, freely adopt its
great leading principles as announced in the
recent declaration of the National Council ut
Philadelphia, 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 establish
ment 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 cond.
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
shall return TO il without even desire ever
TO cross the Atlantic again.
beg of you, gentlemen, to accept my
thanks for the very Aattering manner in which
you have been pleased to communicate the
results of TIE action Of that enlightened and
patriotic body of men who composed the late
Convention, and TO be assured that
am, with profound respect and esteem,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Messrs. Alexander II. II. Stuart, Andrew
Stewart, Erastus Brooks, l.. b. Bartlett, WIN.
I H..