Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-06-16

PARrs May 81, 1856.
GESTLRNES: hay the honor 70 acknowledge
the receipt of your letter. informing me that the
National Convention of the American party,
which has just closed its session at Philadelphia,
had unanimously presented my name for the
Presidency of the United States, and associated
with il that of Andrew Jackson DoneSlon for the
Vice Presidency. This unexpected coinmunica-
ton 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 more prompt reply
You will pardon me for saying that, when my
administration closed in 1858, considered my
political life as a public man at an end, and
thenceforth was only anxious to discharge my
duty as a 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 private influence for those men and
measures | thought beet calculated to promote
the prosperity and glory of our common country.
Beyond this have deemed it improper Tor me
TO interfere.
But this unsolicited and unexpected nomins-
ton has imposed upon me new duty, from
which cannot shrink; and therefore approving,
as do, the general objects of the party which
has honored me with its confidence, cheerful
~ accept its nomination, without waiting to In
quire of its prospects ofsucceSs or defeat 1t IS
sufficient for me to know that by so doing
yield to the wishes of large portion OF M Eel
lOW-citiZens in every part of the Union, who
like myself, are sincerely anxious to sec the adj
ministration of our government restored to that
original simplicity and purity which marked the
first years of its existence, and, hPossible 70
quiet that alarming sectional agitation which,
while it delights the monarchists of Europe, eau
SEES every true friend of our own country to
mourn.
Having the experience Of past service in the
administration of the government, may beper-
Initted to refer to that the exponent of the f-
ture, and to say, should the choice of the con-
vention be sanctioned by the people, shall,
with the same scrupulOus regard for the rights
of every section of the Union which then lntu-
cnced my conduct, endeaTOr 70 perform every
duty contided by the Constitution and laws 70
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
approaching Presidential canvass, take the
occasion to re-affirm my full confidence in the
patriotic purposes of that organization, which
regard as springing out of the public necessity
forced upon the country to a la.ge extent by
unfortunate sectional divisions and the danger
Gus tendency Of those divisions towards disunion.
1t alone, in my opinion, of all the political
agencies existing, is possessed Of the pow
er silence ItllS
and to restore harmony BY its own example Of
moderation and forhearancc. 1t has n 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, l freely adopt it's
great leading principles, as announced in the
recent declaration of the National Council in
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 establishment and
support Of an enlightened, safe, aud effective
American policy, in full accord with the ideas
and 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. Ny opportunity of
comparing my own country and the condition
of the people with those Of Europe, has only SER
we'd to increase my admiration and love of our
blessed land ofliberty, and shall retvrn to it
without even desire TO cross the Atlantic again.
| beg of you, gentlemen, to accept my thanks
for the very fattering manner i'll which you have
been pleased to communicate the result of the
action Of that enlightened and patriotic body of
men who composed the late convention, and TO
be assured that an, with profound respect and
esteem, your friend and fellow citizen,
MlLLARD FILLMORE.