Daily national Democrat., 1860-07-22
Douglas Letter of Acceptance.
WASHINGTON, July 9th, 1860.

WASHINGTON, July 9th, 1860.
GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the verbal
assurance which gave YOU when Won nlocod
in my hands the authentic evidence Of NV
nomination for the Presidency bv the National
Convention of the Democratic party. I now
send you my formal acceptance
Upon Il careful examination of the nlatfo IN
Of principles adopted at Charleston and re.
affirmed at Baltimore. with an additional
resolution, which is in perfect harmony with
the Others find it to be faithful cmbodi.
ment OF the same time honored PRINCIPLES of
the Democratic party, as thesame wera nro-
claimed and understood by all parties in the
Presidential contests of 1SIS, 1852 and ls5s
Upon looking into the proceedings of the
Convention, also, l 1iud that the nomination
was made with great unauimity, in the pres
ence and with the concurrence of more than
two thirds Of the whole number of delepa4es
and in exact accordance with the long .estab-
llshed usages Of the party. Nv inhexible
purpose not to be a candidate, nor accent the
nomination under any contingency, except as
the regular nominee of the National Demo-
cratic party, and in that case only upon the
condition that the usages rs well as the prip-
Hples OF the, party should be strictly adhered
TO- had been proclaimed for long time. and
become well known to the country. These
conditions having all been complied with bv
the free and voluntary action of the Demo-
cratic masses and their faithful representa-
yves, without any agency, or interference or
procurement onmy part, feel bound in honor
ana duty to accept the nomination.
IN taking this step | am not unmindrul of
lhe responsibilities it imposes, but with firm
reliance upon Divine Providence, have the
lalth that the people will comprehend the
true nature ofthe Issues involved and event.
ually maintain the right The peace of the
country and the @perpetuity of the Union.
nave oeen put in jeopardy by attempts to
interfere with and centrol the domestic affairs
OF the people in the Territories, through the
agency of the Federal Government. If the
power and the duty of Federal interference
is to he conceded,stwo hostile sectional parties
must be the inevitable result; theune inflam-
ing the passions and ambition of the North
and the other of the South, and each strug-
gIng to use the Federal authority for ag-
OF its own section at the eX-
pehse OF the equal rights of the ether, and in
derogatlon of those Fundamental principles.
The principles of self government, which
were hrtnly established in this country bv the
american Revolution, as the basis of our en-
tlre repu blican system. During the memora.
Die period of our political history, when the
adyocates of Federal Intervention upon the
subject of slavery in the Territories had well
nlgh "preclpltated the country into revolu-
Ilon, the Northern interventionsts demand
ing the Wilmot Proviso for the prohibition of
slavery, and the southern interventionists
hen few IN number, and without single
representative in either house Of Congress.
Insisting upon Congressional legislation for
.he protection of slavery in opposition to the
wishes of the people in either case it will he !
'emem0ered that it required all the wisdom.
1ower and influence of Clay, and a Web
ter, and a Cass, supported by the conscrva-
I've and patriotic men of the Wing and Dem.
'cralic parties of that day, to devise and car |
y out line of policy which would restore
,eace to the country and stability to the |
Jnion. The essential living principle ofthat
'olicy, as applied in the legislation of 1850, |
vas, and now is non-interventon by Con-
'ress with slavery in the Territories. The |
air application of this Just and equitable |
,rlnciple restored harmony andfroternity to a |
Ilstracted country. If we now depart from |
hat wise and just policy which produced |
hese happy results, and permit the country
o be again distraeted-if precpitated into |
evolution by sectional contest between pro
lavery and anti-slagery interyentionists-
where shall We leok for another Clay, anoth. |
r Webster, or another Cass, to pilot the shin !
II State over the breakers into haven of |
,eoce and safety2
The Federal Union must be preserved. The
must be maintained inviolate in
II its parts. Every right guaranteed by the
must be protected by Law in all
ases where legislation is necessary to its Sc
The judicial authority, as provi-
led in the Constitution, must be sustained,
nd its decisions implicitly obeyed and faith
uly executed. This law must be admins
cred and the constituted authorities upheld,
md all unlawful resistance to these things
must be met with irmness, impartiality and
ldelity, if we expect TO enjoy and transmit
to our posterity that blessed in
lertance which we have received in trust
rom the patriots and sages of the Revolution.
With sincere thanks for the kind and agree
be manner in which you have made known
o me the action of the Convention | have
he honor to be, very respectfully, your friend
md fellow citizen, S. A. DOUGLAS
hon, Wm. ii. Ludlow, of New York, r. p |
Dick, of North Carolina, p. G.. Wickliffe, |
of ofLoIisiana, and others of the Committee