Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-07-10

nomination. The following reply from him,
was received by said Committee:
WHEATLAYD, NEAR LANCASTER,
June 16 1856.
GENTLEMEN:-I have the honor 10 ac-
knowledge the receipt of your communica-
ton of the 18th instant, informing me of
fcially of my nomination by the Democrat
ic National Convention, recently held at
Cincinnati, as the Democratic candidate
for the Office of President of the United
States | shall not attempt to express tie
grateful feelings which | entertain towards
my Democratic fellow citizens for having
deemed me worthy of this-the highest
political honor Oh earth--an honor such as
the people of no other country have the
power to bestow. Deeply sensible of the
vast and varied responsibility attached to
the station, especially at the present crisis
in our affairs, | have carefully refrained
from seeking the nomination either by word
or by deed. Now that it has been offered
by the Democratic party, accept it with
diffidence in my own abilities, but with an
tumble trust, that in the event Of my cleo
ton, l may be enabled to discharge my
duty in such a manner as to allay domes-
tic strife, preserve peace and friendship
with foreign nations, and promote the best
interests of the Republic.
In accepting the nomination, l need
scarcely say that l accept in the same spir-
it, the resolutions constituting the PLATFORM
of principles erected by the Convention.
To this platform intend to confine myself
throughout the canvass, believing that l
have no right, as the candidate of the DEM
ocratic party, by answering interrogatories,
to present new and different issues before
the people.
1t will not be expected that in this an
swer, should specially refer to the sub
lect of eaclfof the resolutions; and | shall
therefore confine myself to the two top
les now most prominently before the peo-
pie.
And in the first place, cordially concur
in the sentiments expressed by the Con-
vention on the subject of civil and relig-
ious liberty. No party founded on religious
or political intolerance towards one class of
American citizens, whether born in our
own or in a foreign land, can long continue
to exist in this country. We are all equal
before God and the Constitution; and the
dark spirit of despolism and bigotry which
would create odious distinctions among
our fellow-cilizens, will be speedily re-
buked by a free and enlightened public
opinion.
The agitation on the question of Domes-
tic Slavery has too long distracted and di
vided the people of this Union and aliena-
ted their affections from each other. This
agitation has assumed many forms since
Its commencement, but Ii now seems to be
directed chiefly to the Territories; and
Judging from its present character, | think
we may safely anticipate that it is rapidly
approaching ''tinalitv." The recent leg
islation of Congress respecting domestic
slavery, derived, as it has been from the
original and pure fountain of legitimate po-
litical power, the will of the majority, prom
Uses ere long to alay the dangerous excite
ment. This legislation is founded upon
principles, is ancient as free government
itself, and in accordance with them, has
simply declared that the people of Il Terri
tory, like those of State, shall decide for
themselves, whether slavery shall or shall
not exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas Act does no more
than give the force Of law to this clement
AIRY principle of elf-gCverLment declaring
it to be "the true intent and meaning of this
act not to legislate slavery in any Territory
or State, nor to exclude it therefrom; but to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic nstitu-
tons in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States This
principle will surely not be controverted by
any individual of any party protesting de-
votion to popular Government. Besides,
how vain and illusory 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 State,
no Constitutional power would then exist
which could prevent 1t from either abolish
ing or establishing slavery, as the case may
be, according to its sovereign will and
pleasure.
Most happy would it be for the country
if this long agitation were at an end. Dur
ing its whole progress it has produced no
practical good to any human being. whilst
it has been the source of great and danger
Gus evils. 1t has alienated and estranged
one portion of the Union from the other, and
has even seriously threatened its very ex
istence. To my own personal knowledge,
it has produced the impression among for
eign nations thai our great and glorious con
fedcracy is in constant danger of dissolu-
ton. This does us serious injury, because
Acknowledged power and stability always
command respec: among nations, and are
among the best securities against unjust
aggression and in favor Of the maintenance
of honorable peace.
May we not hope that is the mission of
the Democratic party, now the only sur
viving conservative party of the country,
ere long to overthrow all sectional parties
and restore the peace, friendship and mu-
tual confidence which preva led in the good
old time, among the different members of
the confederacy. Its character is strictly
national, and it therefore asserts no princi
pie for the guidance of the Federal Gov
eminent which is not adopted and sustain
| ed by its members i'm each and every State