The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-05-04
HALIFAX, April 10th, 1858.

Committee.
HALIFAX, April Goth, 1853.
GENTLEMEN: am in the receipt of your favor
of the 10Th inst, advising of my nomination as
candidate for the office of Governor Of the State
by the Convention of the Democratic party assem-
bed at Charlotte on the 18th inst, and requesting
my acceptance of the same, together with copy o.
the resolutions adopted by the Convention.
Deeply sensible, as [ am Of the honor thus con
ferred upon me by my political frends-a compli
ment the more flatterng, as you suggest, because
of the imposing character Of the Convention and
the harmony which attended its deliberations
yet, am far from thinking that any mere desire Of
honoring an individual was the cause Of bringing
together SO large representation OF the Democra
cy of the State as was present at Charlotte The
advancement of great political principles, such as
are embodied in the resolutions adopted in which
involved the honor and welfare of the country, was
doubtless the ruling influence that pervaded the
Convention and directed its deliberations to har-
moniOus conclusion.
These principles, are such as have guided nv
political course through life; at all times hereto
fore, they have been maintained by me, and make
no sacrifice of opinion now, in saying to you and
through you to the Democratic party of the State,
that they shall have my jealous support, in the
coming canvass, as they have my entire and con-
Most cordially do l respond to that resolution of
the Convention, expressing an approval of the add
ministration of MIR Buchanan; the most interest
ing of which is the proposition for the i'm
mediate admission of Kansas into the Union, I'M
der what is known as the Lecompton Constitution.
The just expectations of the country in our
Chief Magistrate have been fully realized, indeed
expectations based, as they were, upon his known
ability, patriotism and virtue and upon his histori-
IL H,,,, he
teachings Of the Democratic Party, could not well
be disappointed.
The sentiment of the Convention will doubtless
lie responded to by the people Of North-Carona at
the approaching Election, in a manner that will
prove most grateful TO the feelings Of a faithful
public servant.
Well is it observed by the Convention, that the
rejection Of Kansas, 'can only be viewed as a
blow aimed at the equality of the States in the
Union," an equality which our interests and our
honor alike require us to maintain. The opposi-
ton offered to its admission, is an attempt to
make a practical application of the abolition
sentiment promulgated by large and inhuen-
tial sectional party in this country, that no more
States, acknowledging property in slaves, shall be
admitted into the Union" This is manifestly the
true issue presented, Notwithstanding the disguise
attempted to be thrown around the question and
the subterfuges resorted to by the opponents of
Kansas in Congress, through the instrumentaty
of parliamentary tactics to accomplish the defeat of
the measure. Whether this attempt to pervert
our political system shall prove successful, remains
to be seen but this much is sufficiently apparent
to the people of the South, that their reliance for
the maintenance of their position of equality in the
Union States, and the preservation Of the coun-
try itself against the combined attack of fanati-
csm abroad and faction at home, is upon the
strong arm of the Democratic party. 1t is now
the only national party in the Countrywide only
one having the power and the will to secure the
constitutional rights of all sections of that
country"
This obvious fact is daily bringing to the sup
port of the national Administration patriotic men,
who, having heretofore acted with other political
organizations, arc compelled by an urgent con-
victon of public duty to give their adhesion the
Democratic party. The course pursued by such
persons, furnishes the gratifying evidence that,
whenever real peril shall threaten this country,
there will rise up men for its defence,-men who
can triumph over the passions and prejudiccs of
the hour, and submit to the paramount demands Of
patriotism and herein we have enduring assur-
of the ability of the people to preserve the
Union of the States and national integrity I'M
der which We have grown prosperous and happy
as people, great and powerful a nation, and
which, under Divine superintendent will i'm
part these blessings to our posterity.
deem it unnecessary to say more, at present,
upon the topics referred in the resolutions of the
Convention, as propose visiting the several parts
of the State before the election for the purpose of
expressing my views more fully upon the various
questions that now engage the public attention
In making known my acceptance of the nomina-
ton rendered me by the Convention have only
to add that, should the people of the State confirm
that nomination by an election, will devote my
abilities and energies to the promotion of such
measures as will tend to advance the prosperity
and happiness of our people, and as far as may
honor of North Carolina and her equality among
the States Of the Union so that the independence
and liberties we have inherited from our ancestors
may 60 down unimpaired to posterity.
am, gentlemen, respectfully,
Your fellow-eitizen, JOHN W. ELLIS.
Messrs j. F. Simmons, VIM. H. Thomas, A. NJ
Lewis, Committee.