Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-06-12

PARis, May II, 1900.
GENTLEMEN 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 Philadelphia had
unanimously presented my name for the Presiden-
cy of the United States and associated with 1t that
OF Andrew jackson Donelson for the Vice Presi-
dency. This unexpected communication met me
at Venice, on my return from Italy, and the dupli-
cate mai ed thirteen days later, was received on my
arrival in this city last evening.
This must account for my apparent neglect In
giving more prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that, when my
administration closed in 1858, I considered my
political life as public man at an end, and thence
forth was only anxious 10 discharge my duty rs
n private citizen Hence have taken no active
part In politics, but have by no means been an
Indifferent spectator Of passing events, nor have
hesitated TO express my opinion on all political
subjects when asked, nor to give my vote and pri4
vate influence for those men and measures I
thought best calculated to promote the prosperity
and glory OF our common country. Beyond this,
l have deemed il improper for me to interfere
But this unsolicited and unexpected nomination
has imposed upon me a new duty, from which I
cannot shrink and therefore approving, as do,
the general objects of the party which has honored
me with its confidence, J cheerfuly accept its
nomination. without waiting to inquire Of its pros
poets of success or defeat 1t is,suhicient 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, ate sincerely anxious
to see the administration Of our government re-
stored to that original simplicity and purity which
marked the first years of its existence, and If pos
sible, to quiet that alarming sectional agitation
which, while it delights the monarchists of Europe
causes every true friend of our own country to
mourn.
Having the experience of past service in the ad-
ministration Of the government, | may be permit
ed to refer to that the exponent of the future,
and to say, 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 my conduct,
endeavor to perform every duty confded by the
constitution and laws to the Executive.
AS the proceedings of the Convention have
marked new era in the history of the country, by
bringing new political organization into the APP
preaching Presidential canvass l take the occasion
to reaffirm my full confidence in the patriotic pur-
poses of that organization which regard as spring
ing out OF public necessity forced upon the coun-
try to large extent by unfortunate sectional di-
visions, and the dangerous tendency of those d.
visions towards dsuDion
1t alone, in my opinion, Of all the political agen-
ces now existing ia possessed of the power to
silence this violent and disastrous agitation, and
10 restore harmony Dy It's own example OF m0der-
alton and forbearance 1t 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, announced in the recent de-
claration of the National Council in Philadelphia,
a 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 establishment and support of an enlighten-
ed, 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 compar-
ing my own country and the condition of the peo-
pie with those Of Europe, has only served to in
crease my admiration and love Of our blessed land
of liberty, and shall return to it without even a
desire ever to cross the Atlantic again
beg OF you gentlemen to accept my thanks for
the very fattering manner, in which you have
been pleased to communicate the result of the ac-
ton of that enlightened and patriotic body of men,
who composed the late Convention, and to be as
sured, that am with profound respect and es-
TEEN, your friend and fellow-citizen,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Messrs.
ALEXANDER II. Ii. STUART
ANDREW STEWART