Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-07-12

To harmony, concord aud peace.
n Then join us, and form a strong band
Our nag shall be red, white and blue
To stand by the best in the land -. X.
BY FILLMORE, the honest and true"
Letter of the Hon. Kenneth Rayner, de-
Ginning the Nomination for the Vice
RALEIGH, June 80, 1856
GENTLEAES: On reaching this place, | find
awaiting me your communication, dated "New
York, June Ia J" in which you inform me, that by a
Convention of the American party of the United
States, which closed its sessions in that city, on
the 18th day of June, / have been "unanim ously
nominated as candidate for the office of Vice
President of the United States, with the Hon.
Robert T. Stockton, of New Jersey, as a candidate
for President
Allow me, in the first place, gentlemen, to ex-
press to you, and through yon to those whose or
gans you are my grateful appreciation Of this tes-
timonial of their confidence and regard-my unaE-
| iected gratitude for this exhibition of wish to
confer on me so distinguished an honor also
duly estimate the honor of having my name asso-
ciated with that of the gallant Stockton, in con
nexion with the two first places under our govern
ment--a man, whose achievements belong to his
countrys history-who whether in facing the foe
in time of war, or celebrating in the council.
chamber in time of peace, has ever proven him
self to be bold, able, conservative and patriotic.
Although those from whom this nomination pro-
ceeded were but few in numbers-yet, the honor
thereby conferred, instead of being less is, in my
estimation, the greater. Considering all the cir
cumstances surrounding them, ard the difficulties
by which they were envroned, their action must
be regarded, by every just and fair-minded man,
as free from every taint of sel6shness and corrup
ton. Those who volunteer as " a forlorn hope y
are not likely TO be moved by selfish ,considera-
tions; and in their selection of those who are to
lead them, their choice is most likely to fall on
men, whom they suppose to possess the qualities
that can be relied on in the hour If trial
While agree, in the main, with you and those
you represent, in regard to the evils and dangers
which now beset our common country, yet we do
not probably, view the movements Of the times,
from exactly the same stand point. While we
may concur as to the end we may differ somewhat
as to the means of rescuing our country from the
dangers which threaten it. Anticipated as the
idea may be, with many who yet profess to belong
to the American party, yet, still regard the high
mission OF the American movement to consist Of
three great primary purposes or objects, viz: The
Inauguration OF an intense feeling of American
nationality, not only in the administration of the
government, but in the feelings and associations
OF our people--the maintenance of our civil and
religious freedom, against the daring encroach-
ments and corrnpting tendencies of the Churcl of
Rome, which has arrayed itself as great political
clement in our country, in alliance with power
| ful party--and the preservation of our national
Union, against all factionists, North or South
East or West These three elementary principles
or objects involve considerations higher far higher
than any of mere administrative policy, CROWN
out Of our domestic interests as nation The
two first transcend in Importance anything EN-
braced in the framework or operation of our free
institutions, even. They effect man in his moral
o,,I AN,al Ill =. - -1tAs--
Here, then, was platform" large enough and
strong enough for every man in the Republic to
stand on who loves his own country, and the people
of his own country, better than other countries or
other peoples-who prefers religious liberty to the
despotic domination OF the Romish Church--and
who is resolved to maintain invioate the Union
with its imperfections, rather than run the hazard
of disruption. .Hl
As long as the American party adhered strictly
TO these three great principles; as long it was
true to its mission as long as il ignored all ex-
traneous and minor questions; as long as it pre-
served its prestige Of a great popular uprising
against foreign influence, priestly tyranny, and
saults upon the Union, il swept everything before
1t. As long as It's members agreed to tolerate diff
ference of opinion on irrelevant questions, and to
act together for the general good, nothing could
stay its march. The rival parties of the country
stood aghast at ite whrlwind progress / am not
sure its immense strength did not originate the
causes OF its late disasters. Its friends seemed to
think it strong enough to carry any and every
thing, and hence they endeavored to engraft upon
it other issues OF domestic policy and of sectional
import. OF its enemies, those wlo openly as
sailed it with SANDER and misrepresentation were
powerless for HARM whilst others crept within its
folds some to pervert it from its principles, and
others to spy out its machinery and betray it to
its foes. And then again the indifferent--those
who have no fixed opinions on any question, but
will fight for whomsoever will pay them best;
mean the trading politicians enlisted under its
banner to carry out selfish views; and to that end
ioisted on 1t, TO some extent, the machinery of
party politics.
The effect was instantly apparent. As soon as
those of one section began TO interpolate on its
creed their views Of anti-savery, and those Of an
other section, their views of pro.savery--as soon
as the direction and management Of the order was
taken from the hands Of the honest and unpre-
tending masses with whom it had originated, and
who adhered to it for the sake of its principles
alone, and it fell under the control OF selfish and
ambitious poiticians-the people OF the country
saw and felt that something was wrong; and en-
thusiasm began to give way to indifference and
neglect With its first reverses, those who had
gotten control Of the order became alarmed; and
then commenced that series OF temporisings and
blunders, which have ended in mystifying the pub
lie mind, to some extent, as to our definite aims
and subecting us to the charge Of inconsistency
and vacilstion. In the vain expectation OF disarm
ing the enemies Of the order OF their weapons Of
falsehood and perversion, concessions have been