Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-12

To the Honorable John Bell.
JOHN BELL TO WASHINGTON HUNT.

JOHN BELL TO WASHINGTON HUNT
NASHVILLE, May 81, 1860.
Dear Slr Official information of nv nom
ination to the Presidency by the National Union
Convention, OF which you were the presiding
officer, was communicated to me by your letter
of the 18th instant, at Philadelphia, on the eve
of my departure with my family for my place of
residence in Tennessee, and diffident, as I was.
of my worthiness, did not hesitate to signify
my intention TO accept the position assigned to
me by that distinguished and patriotic body
But for convenience, and under sense of pro-
priety of acting in so grave matter with greater
deliberation, concluded, as informed you at
the time by private note, to defer formal &C.
ceptance until after my arrival at home.
Now, that have had all the leisure could
desire for reflection upon the circumstances
under which the nomination was made, the pur-
ty of the motives and the lofty spirit of patriot
ism by which the Convention was animated, as
evinced in all its proceedings, / can appreciate
more justly the honor done me by the nonna-
ton ; and though it might have been more for
tunate for the country had it fallen upon some
one of the many distinguished statesmen whose
names were brought to the notice of the Con
vention, rather than myself, accept it, with all
its possible responsibilities. Whatever NAV be
the issue OF the ensuing canvass, as for myself,
shall ever regard 1t as proud distinction, Zone
worth lifelong effort to attain,) to be pro-
nounced worthy to receive the highest office in
the Government at such time as the present.
and by such Convention as that which re-
Gently met in Baltimore Convention far less
imposing by the number of its members, large as
it was, than by their high character.
In it We're men venerable alike for their age
and their public services, who could not have
been called from their voluntary retirement from
public life but by the strongest sense of patriotic
duty; others, though still in the prime of lite.
ranking with the first men of the country by
honors and distinctions already acquired in high
official positions, State and National; many of
them statesmen worthy to fill the highest office
10 the government; still greater number. &C.
cupying the highest rank in their respective pro-
fesslOnal pursuits; others distinguished by their
Intelligence and well earned influence in various
walks of private life and all animated and united
by one spirit and one purpose, the result of a
strong conviction sAat our political system, under
the operation OF a complication of disorders, is
lrapidly approaching crisis when speedy
fchange must take place, indicating, as in disease
of the physical body, recovery or DEATH
The Convention, in discardng the use of plat
forms, exacts no pledges from those whom thew
deem worthy of the highest trusts under the
Government wisely considering that the surest
guaranty of mans future usefulness and fideli-
ty to the great interests of the country. in any
official station to which he may be chosen, is to
| be found In his past history connected with the
public service. The pledge Implied in my ac-
| ceptance of the nomination of the National
Union Convention is, that should be elected, /
will not depart from the spirit and tenor of nv
past course; and the obligation to keep this
pledge derives double force from the couside-
ration that none is required from me.
| You, sir, in your letter containing the official
announcement Of my nomination, have been
| pleased to ascribe to me the merit of moderation
and justice in my past public career You have
likewise given me credit tor a uniform supper
OF all wise and benehcent measures of legislation
for firm resistance to all measures calculated
to engender sectional discord, and for lifelong
devotion to the unioii, harmony and prosperity
Iof these States. Whether your personal partial
i ty has led you to OverState my merits as pub
lie man or not, i'll your enumeration of them
you have presented summary-a basis of al
sound American craftsmanship. It may be OBJ
jected that nothing is said in this summary, il
express terms, OF the obligations imposed by til,
Constitution, but the duty to respect and observ,
them is clearly implied, tor without the due OBJ
seryance, IN the conduct of the Government, O
| the Constitution, its restrictions and REQUIRE
4
spirit and objects, there can be no end to sec
/ tional dscoTd no security tor the harmony o
the Union.
| have not the vanity to assume that in M,
past connection with the public service, have
eXemphed The course of sound American
statesman, but If | have deserved the favorable
view takeL OF il, in your letter, may hope by
q faithful adherence to the maxms by which /
have heretofore been guided, not altogether to
disappoint the confidence and expectations u
those who have placed me in my present rela.
ton to the public; and II, under Providence,
should be called to preside over the affairs OF
this great country as the Executive chief of the
Government, the only further pledge feel called
upon to make, is, that to the utmost of my abil
lty, and with whatever strength OF will | car
command, all the powers and influence belong
| ing to my official station, shall be employed anC
directed for the promotion of all the great OBJ
jects for which the government was instituted
but more especially, for the maintananee of the
Constitution and the Union against all opposing
influence and tendencies.
| l cannot conclude this letter without express
ing my high qualification at the nomination to
the second office under the Government of that
eminenty gifted and distinguished statesman OF
Massachusetts,, Edward Everett, gentleman
held by general consent to be altogether worthy
of the first,
rendering my grateful acknowledgements for
the kind and complimentary remarks with
which you were pleased to accompany the COM
munication of my nomination,
am, dear sir, with the highest respect, your
obedient servant, JOHN BELL.
TO the Hon. Washington Hunt.
A girl nine years old, pretty, perfect and
graceful, 26 inches high and weighing only Il
bounds. is on exhibition in Baltimore She il