Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-07
aWAsnlNaroN. tnne 30. 1saO


"To the Hon. Caleb Gushing President;
| have the honor TO acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of the communication you make in
behalf Of the National Democratic Convention,
at which, you inform me, that on the 23d
was unanimously nominated by that body for
the office of Vice President of the United
States, with the request that | should accept
the nomination. The platform adopted, and
of which you enclose me copy, meets with
my hearty approval, as it embodies what
have been contending for as the only means
of stopping sectional agitation, by securing
TO all equality and constitutional rights, the
denial Of which has led to the present un-
happy condition of public affairs. Compro-
misses of constitutional principles are ever
dangerous, and am rejoiced that the true
Democracy has seen fit to plant firm foot
on the rock Of truth, and to give the people
an opportunity to vindicate their love of
justice and. .fraternal regard for each others
rights. .rD,"-.'T
F'Non-intervention on the subject of slavery,
| may emphatically say, is the cardinal
maxim of the Democracy; non-intcr-
vention by Congress- and non-interven-
ton by territorial legislatures, is fully
stated in the platform adopted. In
vain should we declare the former, without
insisting upon the latter, because, to permit
territorial legislatures to prohibitsuch slavery,
or by unfriendly legislation to invalidate
property, would be granting powers to the
creature or agent which it is admitted do not
appertain to the principal or power that
creates, beside which, il would be fostering
an element of agitation in the territories that
must necessarily extend to Congress and the
people of all the States. The right of every
citizen to enter the common territory with
whatever property he legally possesses, it
necessarily devolves upon the Federal Gov
ernment the duty to protect this right of a
citizen, whenever and wherever assailed or
infringed. '.h nu1 "el .+N'I
"The Democratic party honestly meets this
agitating question which is threatening to
destroy and sever this brotherhood of States.
1t does not propose to legislate for the extern
sion of slavery nor for its restriction, but to
each State and to every citizen all our fore
fathers proposed to give, viz; perfect equal
ity of rights, and then to submit to the peo-
pie the kind of institution best fitted to their
requirements, in their constitutional limits,
and declaring as fundamental maxim that
the people of q Territory can only establish
or prohibit slavery when they come to form
a constitution preparatory to their admission
as a State into the Union. If happily, our
principles shall prevail, an era of peace and
harmony will be restored to our distracted
country, and no more shall we be troubled
with the agitation of this dangerous ques-
ton, because it will be removed from the
Territorial Legislatures as from the halls Of
Congress, when we shall be free to turn our
attention to more useful issues-the motives
of our growth in national greatness.
"Our Union must be preserved, butt this can
only be done by maintaining the Constitu-
ton inviolate in all its provisions and guar
antees. The Judicial authority as provided
by the Constitution, must be maintained, and
its decision implicitly obeyed, as well in re-
gard to the right of property in the Terrific
ries as in all our matters.
Hoping for success, and trusting in the
truth and justice of the principles of oul
party and in that Divine Providence that has
| watched over US and made us one of the
| great nations of, the earth, and that we may
continue to merit Divine protection,
cheerfully accept the nomination so unani
mously conferred on me, and cordially in
dorse the platform adopted by the Conven.
ton. l.ta
81 have the honor to be Sir with much re.
spect, your friend and obedient servant,
"J0SEPH LANE"