Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-10
Mr.. eeII,s Letter OF Acceptance.
The following Is Mr.. BEIL's letter accepting the
nomination of the Ignorers for President
NJ 9T-t TCen

Ihe following IS r. BELLS leiIer acce ping Lle
nomination Of the Ignorers for President
NASHVILLE, May 2lst, 1860.
Dear Sr:-Oficial information of my nomination
to the Presidency by the National Union Convention,
of which you were the presiding officer was com
municated to by your letter Of the 18th INST at
Philadelphia, on the eve Of my departure with my
family for my place OF residence IN Tennessee and
difident, as was, Of my worthlness dld not nesl-
tate 70 signify my intention to accept the position
assigned 10 me by thar distinguished and patriotic
body. But for convenience, and under sense Of
the propriety of acting in so grave a matter with
great deberation, concluded. as l informed you at
the time by private note, 10 deter formal accep-
lance uDtl after my arrival at home.
Now that I have had all the leisure could desire
for reflection upon the circumstances under which
the nomination made, the purity Of the motives,
and the lofty sr-it of patriotism by which tbs Con
vention was animated eyinced in all It's proceed
ings / can appreciate more Just Y the honor done
me by the nomination; and though II might have
been more fortunate for the country had It fallen
upon some one of the many distinguished statesmen
whose names were brought to the notice Of the Con-
venton rather than myself accept it, with all its
possible responsibilities.
Whatevermay be the issue of the ensuing canvass,
as for myself / shall ever regard 1t as proud dis
tinction zone worth lifelong effort TO attaln,) to
be pronounced worthy to receive the highest Of
fee in the Government at such time as the present,
and bv such q Convention as that which recently
met in Baltimore Convention far less imposing
hV the number MEMBERS as III was IMAM
bv their high character. In It were men venerable
alike for their age and their public services, who
could not have been called from their voluntary
tiremeut from public life but by the strongest sense
Of patriotic duty; Others though still In the prime
of life ranking with the first of the country
bv honors and distinctions already acquired in high
official positions State and National; many Of them
statesmen worthy TO fill the highest Office In the
government; a still greater number, occupying the
highest rank in their respective professional pur-
TlfFlT
well-earned influence in various walks of private
life; and all animated md united by one spirit and
one purpose the result of a strong conviction that
our political system, under the operation Of com
plication of disorders, is rapidly approaching a
crisis when a speedy change must take place midi
eating as in diseases Of the physical body, recovery
OF death.
The Concentration, in describing the use Of plat
forms, exacJs no pledges from those whom they
deem worthy Of the highest trusts under the Gov
eminent wisely considering that the surest guaranty
Of a mans future usefulness and fidelity TO the
great interests of the country, in any Official station
which he may be chosen Is to be found IN his past
history connected with the public service. The
pledge implied in my acceptance of the nomination
of the National Union Convention is that should be
elected / will not depart from the spirit and tener
of my past course. and the obligation to keep tins
pledge derives double force from the consideration
thar none Is required from me.
You. sir in your letter containing the announce
ment of my nomination, have been pleased 70 as
Cribe 10 me the merit of moderation and justice IN
mast public career. You have likewise given me my
credit for a uniform support OF all wise and bene-
fcent measures OF legislation, firm resistance to all
measures calculated 10 engender sectional dlscord,
and for a lifelong devotion 70 the union. harmony,
and prosperity Of these States. Whether your per
sona partially has led you to overstate my merits
as a public man or not in your enumeration of them
YOU have presented a summary basis OF al sound
American craftsmanship. 1t may be objected that
nothing Is said In this summary express terms OF
the obligations imposed by the Constitution but the
duty % respect and observe them Is clearly implied,
Tor without the due observance IN the conduct of
the Government of the Constitution its restrictions
and requirements fairly Interpreted IN accordance
with it, spirit ana objects there can be no end 10
sectional disc0rd-n no security for the harmony oihe
Union
have not tie vanity to assume that in my past
connection vita the public service have eNempi
fed the course OF a sound American Statesman, but
if have deserved the favorable view taken OF It IN
your letter. ] may hope by a faithful adheren
the maNims ty which have heretofore been guided,
not altogether TO uIsappolut the confidence and eN
pectauuus OF those who have placed me in my pres
cnt relation TO the public; and H. under Providence.
j should be called upon to preside over the affairs
of this great country the Executive chief of the
Government. the only further pledge / feel called
upon 20 make is. that to the utmost of my ability,
and with whatever strength of WIZ can command
all the powers and aud influence belonging to my Of
fcal station shall be employed and directed for the
promotion Of all the great objects for which the
government was ustitu!ed but more especially Tor
the maintenance OF the Constitution and the Union
aginst all opposing influences and tendencies.
cannot conclude this letter without expressing
my high qualification at the nomuauonto the second
Office under the Government of that eniinently gift
ed and distinguished statesman of Massachusetts,.
Edward Everett gentleman held by general con
sent TO be altogether worthy o. the first
rendering my grateful acknowledgements for the
kind and complimentary remarks with which you
were pleased to accompany the communication Of
my nomination.
am. dear Sir with the highest respect. your ODE
dent servant JoHN BELL
To the Hon. WASHINGTON HCNT.
ACCepJanCcs % the Black Republican Cam
diduLes.
The following are the letters Of ABRAHAM LINCOLN
and HANNIHNL HA'uIN, accepting the nominations
conferred upon them at Chicago
SPRINGFIELD, H., May 22d, 1860.
Hon George isiR1n. President Of Tie Republican Na-