Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-06-30
Mr.. Buchanan,s Letter of Acceptance.
WHEATLAkD (nesr Lancaster,)l

! Mr.. Buchanan's Letter of Acceptance.
4 WHEATLAkD (near Lancaster)l
June l6, 1856.
GEKTLEMEM have the honor TO acknowledge
the receipt Of your communication of the 18th insG
informing me officially of my nomination by the De
mocratic National Convention, recently held at
Cincinnati as the democratic candidate for the Office
of President of the United States. shall not at
tempt 10 express the grateful feelings which en-
terrain towards my democatic fellow citizens for
having deemed me worthy of this bis hest political
honor on earth-an honor such as the people of no
other country nave the power to bestow. Deeply
sensible ofthe vast aud varied responsibility attach
ed to the station especially the present crisis in
our affairs have carefully RETAINED from seeking
the nomination either by word or by deed. Now
that is has been offered by the democratic party,
accept it with difhdence in my own abilities, but
with humble trust that in the event of nv cleo
ton, may be enabled TO discharge my duty in
such manner TO sllay domestic strife, preserve
peace and friendship with foreign nations and pro-
mote the best interests Of the republic.
In accepting the nomination | need scarcely say
that accept in the spirit the resolutions con-
stituting the platform Of principles erected by the
convention. To this platform | intend to confne
myself thOughou the canvass, believing that have
no right, the candidate of the democratic party
BY answering interrogstories, to present new and
different issues before the people.
should specially refer the subject of each OF the
resolutions, and shall, therefore, confne myself
to the two topics now most eminenty before the
people.
And in the FIRST place, cordially concur in the
sentiments expressed by the Convention on'the sub
ect of civil and religious liberty. No party found
ed religious political intolerance towards one
class Of American citizens, whether born in our
in foreign land, can long continue to exist in
this country. We are all equal before God and the
Constitution and the dark split Of despotism and
bgotry which would create odious distinctions
among fellow. citizens will be speedily rebuked
by free and enlightened public opinion.
The agitation of the question of domestic slavery
has too long distracted and divided the people of
this Union and alienated their affections from each
other. This agitation has assumed many forms
since its commencement, but it seems to be
directed chiefly to the Territories; and Judging from
its present character, | think may safely antici.
pate that it is rapidly approaching "fnality"
The recent legislation of Congress respecting do
nestle slavery, derived, as it has been, from the
original and pure fountain of legitimate political
power, the will OF the majority, promises long
to ailay the dangerous excitement. This legislation
is founded upon principles ancient as free gov
eminent itself, and, in accordance with them, has
simply declared that the people of Territory, like
those of State, shall decide for themselves whe,
Their slavery shall shall not exist within their Ii
mits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does no more than give
the force of law to this elementary principle of self
government; declaring it to be 'the intent and
meaning OF this act not to egslate slavery into any
Territory or State to exclude it therefrOm, but
to leave the people thereof perfectly free TO form
and regulate their domestic institutions in their own
way, subject only to the constitution of the United
States This principle will surely not be controvert-
by any individual of any party protesting devo-
Ia All md
Ilusory would any other principle prove in practice
in regard TO the Territories This is apparent from
the fact admitted BY all, that after Territory shall
have entered the Union and become a State 70
constitutional power would then exist which could
prevent it from either aboshing Or;estabishng sa-
very, the case may be, according TO It's severe
ign will and pleasure.
Most happy would il be for the country if this
long agitation were at end. During its whole
progress it has produced no practical good to any
being whilst it has been the source of great
and dangerous evils 1t has aienated and estrauged
portion of the Union from the other, and has
even seriously threatened its very existence. To my
own personal knowledge, it has produced the i'm
preston among foreign nations that our great and
glorious cOnfederacy is in constant danger of dsso
luton. This does serious injury, because
knOwledged power and stability always command
respect among nations, and are among the best Sc
curities against unjust aggression and in favor oil
the maintenance OF honorable peace.
May We not hope that it is the mission of the de-
mOcratc party, now the only surviving conservative
party of the country, long to overthrow all
sectional parties, and restore the peace friendship
and mutlal confidence which prevailed in the good
old time among the different members of the COM
tederacy? Its character is strictly national, and it
therefore asserts no principle for the guidance of
the federal government which is not adopted and
sustained by its members in each and every State
For this reason in is everywhere the same deter
mined foe of all geographical parties so justly
dreaded by the Father OF his CountR.
From its very nature it must continue TO exist so
long there is a constitution and Union to pre-
serve. A conviction OF these truths has Induced
many Of the purest, the abest, and most indepen-
dent of our former opponents, who have suffered
from US in times gone by upon old and extinct party
issues, 70 come into our ranks and devote them
selves with TO the cause OF the constitution and
the Union Under these circumstances, | most
cheerfuy pledge myself should the nomination of
the convention be ratified by the people, that
all the power and influence constitutiona.y pos
sessed by the Executive shall be exerted in firm
but conciatory spirit, during the single term
shall remain in Office to restore the same harmony
among the sister States which prevailed before this
apple OF dscord in the form OF slavery agitation,
had been cast into their midst, Let the members
of the family abstain from ntermeddling with the
exclusive domestic concerns OF each other, and
coadally unite, on the basis of perfect equality
among themselves, in promoting the great national
objects OF common interest to all and the good work
will be instantly accomplished.
In regard TO our foreign policy, to which you
have referred in your communication, IL is quite
impossible for any human foreknowledge TO pre-
scribe positive rules in advance 10 regulate the con-
duct Of future administration in all the exigences
which may arise in our various and ever-changing
4 he fada M
ment must OF necessity exercise sound discretion
in dealing with international questions as they may
occur; but this under the strict responsibility which
the Executive must always feel TO the people Of the
United States and the judgment of posterity. You
will therefore excuse me for not entering into par
tculars whilst | heartily concur with you in the
general sentiment that our foreign affairs ought to
! be conducted with such wisdom and frmness as to
assure the prosperity Of the people home, whilst
! the interests and honor Of our country are wisely
! but infexbly maintained abroad. Our foreign pol
| icy ought to be based upon the principle Of
/ doing Justice to all nations and requiring justice
: from them in return and from this principle shall
never depart.
Should be placed in the executive chair, shall
use best e1ertions to cultivate peace and friend
ship with all nations believing this 10 be our highest
policy, as well as our most imperative duty but,
at the time, shall never forget that in case
the necessity should arise, which do not now APP
! prehend our national rights and national honor
] must be preserved a. all hazards and at any sacr
fee
Firmly convinced that a special Providence gov
rrns the affairs Of nations, let us humbly implore
His continued blessing upon our country, and that
he nav avert from US the punishment we justly
deserve for being dseontented aud ungraeful while
enjoying privileges above all nations under such a
/ Constitution and such Union has never been
! vouehsaied to any other people
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.