The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-19
To Hon. WILLARD FILLMORE.
Reply Of Ec-Preside1t Fillmore:
PARIS. Nav 81. 1856

Reply Of Er- President Fillmore:
PARIS, May 81, 1856.
GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter informing me
that the National Convention ofthe American
party, which had just closed its session at
Philadelphia, had unanimously presented my
name for the Presidency of the United States. !
and associated with it that of Andrew Jack.
son Donelson for the Vice Presidency.
This unexpected communication met me at
Venice, on my return from Italy, and the du-
plicate mailed thirteen days later was received
on my arrival in this city lastevenng. This
must account for my apparent neglect in Civ
ing more prompt.reply.a You will pardon me
for saying that when my Administration clos
ed in 1858, considered my political life as
public man at an end and thenceforth | was
only anxious to discharge my duty as pri-
vate 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 or private influence to those men and
measures thought best calculated to promote
the prosperity and glory of our common coun-
| try. Beyond this have deemed it improper
! for lie to interfere.
]
nation has imposed upon me new duty from
which | cannot shrink; and, therefore, approx
ing as do, the general objects of the party
which has honored me with its confidence,
cheerfully accept its nomination, without wait
| ing to inquire of its prospects of success or de-
] feat. 1t is sufficient to for me to know that
by so doing l yield to the wishes of large
portion of my fellow citizens in every part of
the Union, who, like myself are sincerely anx-
ious to see the administration of our Govern
ment restored to that original simplicity and
purity which marked the first years Gifts ex-
istence, and if possible, 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
administration of the Government, may be
permitted to refer to that as 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 per-
form 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 approaching Presidential canvass
bdhC IlIS OSSdSIOll " ISdllIIIu my Iu1 cOnI-
dence in the patriotic purposes Of that organ
izaton, which | regard as springing out of
public, necessity, forced upon the country to a
large extent by unfortunate sectional divisions
and the dangerous tendency of those divisions
toward disunlon. 1t alone, in my opinion, of
all political agencies now existing is possessed
of power to silence this violent and DISASTROUS
agitation, and to restore harmony by its own
f example of moderation and forbearance
1t has a 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 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 estab-
lishment and support of an enlightened, safe,
and effective American policy in full accord
with the ideas and the hopes of the fathers of
the Repul lie.
: l expect shortly to sail for America, and,
t with the blessings of Divine Providence, hope
soon to reach my native soil. My opportunity
OF comparing my own country and the condi-
ton of its people with those of Europe has
only served to increase my admiration and love
for our blessed land Of liberty, and | shall re-
turn 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 results
OF the action of that enlightened and patriotic
bo1y of men who composed the late Conven-
ton, and to be assured that l am, with pro
found respect and esteem. your friend and lel-
citizen, WILLARD FILLMORE.
Messrs. Alexander II. Ii. Stuart, Andrew
Stewart, Erastus Brooks, E. B. Bartlett,
VIM. j. Eames, and Ephraim Marsh, Com
mittee, &c.