The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-06-20

WILLIAM J. EAMEs,
EPHRATM MARSH,
Committee, &c, &c.
PARIS, May 2lst, 1856.
Gentlemen /: have the honor to ncknowl.
edge the receipt of your letter informing me
that the National Convention of the American
party which had just closed its session al
Philadelphia, had unanimously presented my
name for the Presidency Of the United States,
and associated with It that of Andrew jackson
Donelson for the Vice Presidency. This un.
expected communication met me at Venice
on my return from Italy, and the duplicate
mailed thirteen days later, wns received on
my arrival in this city last evening. This must
account for my apparent neglect in giving a
more prompt reply.
You will pardon me for saying that when
my administration closed in 1853, consider.
ed my political life as public man Mt an end,
and thenceforth was only anxious to dis.
charge my duty as n private citizen. Hence
] have taken no active part in politics. But
have by no means been an indifferent specta.
tor 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 best calculated to promote the D, os.
perity and glory of our common county,
Beyond this deemed it improper for me to
interfere. But this unsolicited and uneypect
ed nomination has imposed upon me new
duty, from which cannot shrink; and there.
fore, approving, rs do, of the general objects
of the party which has honored ME with its
confidence, cheerfully accept its nomination
without waiting to enquire of its prospects of
success or defeat. 1t is sufficient for me to
know that by so doing yield to the wishes
of large portion of my fellow citizens in
every part of tho Union, who, like myself, are
sincerely anxious to see the administration of
our government restored to that original
simplicity and purity which marked the first
years Of its existence; and if possible, to quiet
that alarming sectional agitation, which,
while it delights the Monarchsis of Europe,
causes every 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 rs the exponent of
"the future, and to say, should the choice of
the Convention be sanctioned by the people,
shall with the same scrupu'Ous regard for
the rights Of every section of the Union which
then Influenced my conduct, endeavor to per.
form every duty conlided by the Constitution
and laws to tine Executive.
As the proceedings of this Convention have
marked new era in the history of the coun.
try, by bringing new political organization
into the approaching Presidential canvass,
take the occasion to reatiirm my full conf.
dence in the patriotic purposes of that organi.
cation, which regard rs springing out of n
public necessity, forced upon the country, to
large extent, by unfortunate sectional d.
visions, and the dangerous tendency of those
divisions towards disunion. II alone, in my
opinion, of all the political agencies now ex.
listing, is possessed of the power to silence
this violent and disastrous agitation, and 10
restore harmony BY its own example of
moderation and forbearaice. 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 as announced in the
recent declaration of the National Council ut
Philadelphia, n copy of which You were SO
kind rs to enclose me, holding them to be
just and liberal to every true interest of the
country, and wisely adapted to the establish.
mpnt and support of an enlightened, safe and
effective American policy, in full accord with
the idens 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 trend 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 own blessed land If liberty, and
| shall return TO it without even desire ever
to cross the Atlantic again.
beg Of you, gentlemen, to accept my
thanks for the very hattering manner in which
you have been pleased to communicate the
results Of the action Of that enlightened and
patriotic body Of men who composed the late
Convention, and to be assured that
| am, with profound respect and esteem,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
WILLARD FILLMORE
Messrs. Alexander II. II. Stuart, Andrew
Stewart, Erastus Brooks, L. b. Bartlett, WIN
J. Eames, Ephraim Marsh, Committee.
tW- The Organ ut Washington says, |
happens to know that some of the mos
prominent men in the pseudo Democrats
party despair Of Mr.. Buchanan's election
Tho more prudent men of that party depre
cate the adoption of the Cincinnati platform
Those opposed to "squa.ter sovereignty" de
precate it. Those opposed to fillibusterin!
in the Gulf of Mexico and in Central Ameri
can deprecate it. Those opposed to aliel
suffrage in the Territories deprecate it. Their
are other points in it which are objected t.
by many of the members Of that party. As
whole, il is considered an unwise, and unsaf
platform, and it will not command the sup
port of the party. Neither the nominee no
the platform is popular.
D- In Chicago, $4,000 have been sub
scribed, to aid the Kansas Emigrants, and 2O'