Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-18
WASHINGTON, June 80, 1860.

WASHINGTON, June go 1850
Hon. Caleb Gushing, President of the Democratic
National Convention.
SIR: Ihave the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
the communication you make in behalf of the Demo-
cratic National Convention in which you inform me
that on the 23d inst, was unanimously nomina-
ted BY that party for the Office of Vice President of
the United States, with the request that shall &C
cept the nomination.
The platform adopted, and of which you enclose
me a copy, meets with my hearty approval, as it
embodies what 1 have been contending for as the
only means OF stopping sectional agtaton-by Sc
curing to all equality and constitutional rights the
denial of which has led to the present unhappy con-
dtion Of public affairs.
Compromises of constitutional principles are ever
dangerous and am rejoiced that the true democra-
cy has fit to plant firm foot on the rock Of
truth, and to give the people an opportunity to vim
dictate their love Of justice and ffaterna regard for
each others rights.
Nonintervention on the subject of slavery, may
emphatcally say is the cardinal maxim of the de-
Observation-Disclosures by Congress, and non
intervention by Territorial Legislatures, as is fully
stated in the first resolution Of the adopted platform
In vain should we declare the former, without in
siSting upon the latter because to permit Terrific
rial Legislatures to prohibit establish slavery or
by unfriendly legislation to invalidate property
would be granting powers to the creature or agent
which, 1t is admitted, do not appertan to the prin-
cipal, or the power that creates besides which it
would be fostering an element Fl agitation in the
Territories that must necessarily extend to Congress
and the people of all the States.
II the constitution establishes the right of every
citizen to enter the common territory with whatever
property he legally possesses it necessarily devolves
on the federal government the duty to protect this
right of the citizen whenever and wherever assaed
or infrnged The democratic party honestly meets
this agitating question which is threatening to sever
and destroy this brotherhood of States 1t does not
propose to egsate for the extension Of slavery nor
for its restriction but to give each State and to
every citizen all that forefathers proposed to
give, namely equality Of rights, and then
to commit to the people, to climate, and to soil the
determination TO the kind Of institution best fitted
to their requirements in their constitutional limits
and declaring, as a fundamental maxim, that the
people Of Territory only establish prohibit
slavery when they come to form constitution pre-
paratory to their admission State into the
Union.
IL happily, our principles shall prevail, an era Of
peace and harmony will be restored to distract
ed country, and no shall we be troubled with
the agitation Of this dangerous question, because it
will be removed as well from the Territorial legisa-
lures as from the halls of CongresS-when we shall
be free to turn attention to useful issues,
! promotive OF our growth in national greatness.
! Our Union must be preserved! But this can only
be done by maintaining the constitution nviolae in
all its provisions and guarantees. The judicial au-
thority, provided 10y the constitution, must be
maintained, and its decisions implicitly obeyed as
well IN regard to the rights of property in the Ter
! ritorieS in all other matters.
. Hoping for success and trusting in the truth and
justice of the principles Of our party, and in that
! Divine Providence that has watched over and
made us one Of the great nations OF the earth, and
/ that we may continue to merit Divine protection,
| checrfuy accept the nomination so unanimously
conferred me- and cordially endorse the platform
adopted by the Convention.
| have the honor to be, sir, with much respect,
your friend and obedent servant,
| JOSEPH LANE.