Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-28
Mr.. Buchanan's Letter Of Aoceptance.

Mr. 6ucnan6ne 10tto1 OI ACCePsaACo'
The Hon. James Buchanan, the Demo.
cratic. nominee for the Presidency, has
written the following letter to the commit
tee the Cincinnati Convention appointed
to inform him Of bis nomination 1t will
be seen that he fully endorses the Princ'-
pie Of the Kansas Nebraska bill; cordially
accepts the platform Of the Convention BY
v hith he was nominated, and boldly es'
pouses the doctrine Of civil aud religious
liberty;
WArA4lAxD,. NEAR LANCASTER,
June 10Th, 1856.
GENTLEMEN 81 have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt ofyotr communica'
ton OF the 18th inst, informing me ofhcial-
" OF my nomination by the Democratic
National Convention, recently held at Gin.
cihnati. as the Democratic candidate for
the office Of President Of the U. States. |
shall not attempt to express the grateful
feelings which l entertain towards my
Democratic fellow citizens for having deem
ed me worthy Of thiss-:he highee: polite.
Al honor on earth-an honor such a. the
people OF no other country have the power
10 bestow. Deeply sensible Of the vast and
safieA Responsibility attached 10 the station,
especially at the present cticis In our AZ
fairs. have certainly RETAINED from seek.
ing the nomination either BY word 6f
Leet. Now that il has been offered By
the Democratic party, accept it with diff.
fiaenee in my own abilities, but with en-
humble trust that. in the event OF my elec-
ltion, may be enabled to discharge my d.
" in such manner as to allAy the domestic
strife, preserve peace and friendship with
foreign nations; aud promote the best inter-
ests Of the Republic.
In accepting the nomination heed
scarcely say that accept in the same spirit
the resolutions constituting The platform Of
principles erected BY the convention. To
this platform intend TO confine myself
during the canvass, believing that | have
10 right as the candidate Of the Demo-
cratic party by ahsw ering lnteroga.ories, to
present new and different issues before the
people.
Ii will NO, be expected that in answer
should specially refer to the subject Of
each Of the resolutions; and shall there
fo,e copfine myself to the two topics now
ost prominently bettre the people.
And In the first place, l concur in the
sentiments expressed BY the convention on
the subject OF civil and religious liberty -
No party founded on religious or political
intolerance towards one class Of American
citizens, whether born in our own or a for.
eign land, can long continue TO exist in this
country We are all equal before God and
the Constitution; and the dark spirit of
, despotism and bigotry which would create
,, oJions distinctions among our fellow cit'
izens " i'll be speedily rebuked by free
and lighteped public opinion.
The agitation Of the question Of Domes-
tic Slavery has too long distracted and d.
, vided the people of this Union and alien-
aeed their affections from each oaher. The
agitation has assumed many forms since
: its commencement, but it now SCENT 10 be
directed chiefly to the Territories; and
4judging from its present character, lthinE
we may safely anticipate that it is rapidly
apr reaching "finality." The recent leg
isation OF Congress respecting domestic
slavery, derived, as it has been from the
original aud pure fountain oflegitimate pos
lincal power, the will Of the majority,
promises ere long 10 allay the dangerous
excitement. hislegislation is founded 10
principles. as ancient as free government
itself, and in accordance with them has
simply declared that the people Of Terri
Itory. like those ola 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 ID this elements
ary principle Of self government; declaring
il TO be "the true intent and meaning OF
this act rot 10 legisIate slavery into. any
Territory or State. nor to exclude II there
form; but 10 leave the people thereof per
f.ctly free 10 form aud regulate their do
nestle institutions in their own way, sub
ject only to the constitution OF the Y.
States" This principle Will surely not be
controverteA by any individual ofany party
protesting devotion 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 into the Union and be-
come State, mo constitutional power would
then exist " hich could prevent it ftDtu
either abolishing or establishing slavery,
) as the case may be, according 10 ITS sover'
eign will and pleasure.
1 Most happy " ould it De for the country
liz this long agitation were stan end. Dur
ling its whole progress ithas produced No
practical good to any human being, whilst
, i. has been the source Of great aud dsnge-
rous evils. 1. has alienated and estrayec
one portion Of the Union from the other,
aud has even seriously threatened its very
existence. To my own personal knowl-
edge, it has produced the impression
among foreign nations that our grea: and
glorious coafederacy is in constant danger
ofdissolu,inn. This does as serious injury,
because acknowledged power aud stability
! always command respect among nations,
am, are among the best securities against
unjust aggression and in favor OF the ma'n'
tenance Of honorable peace.
May we moi hope that It IS the MISSION
of the Democratic farty. now tne only sur
yiying conservative party, o. .ae couu'
try, ere long to overthrow Ill scchonai par
lies and restore the peace. and mutual con- on,
fdence which prevailed in the good o'u
time, among the different members o. the
confederacy. Its character is stric'ly ma
l r vt- n n !