Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-07-12
WASHINGTON, June 80. 1860.


Hon. CALEB CUSHING, President-I
have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt
of the communication you make in behalf
of the Democratic National Convention, in
which you inform me, that on the 2Sd
inst. was unanimously nominated by that
body for the Office of Vice President of
the United States, with the request that
l should accept the nomination. The
platform adopted, and of which you send
me copy, meets with my hearty approval,
as it endorses what l have been contend
ing for as the only means of stopping sec
tional agitation, by securing to all equality
and constitutional rights, the denial of
which has led to the present unhappy con-
dition of public affairs. Compromises of
Constitutional principle are ever danger
Gus, and am convinced that the true De-
mocracy has seen fit to plant a firm foot
on the rock of truth, and to give the peo-
pie an opportunity to vindicate their love
of justice and fraternal regard for each
others rights.
Non-intervention on the subject of sla-
very, may emphatically say, is the cardi-
nal maxim of the Democrats. Non-inter-
vention by territorial legislatures, as is full
ly stated in the first resolution of the
adopted platform. In vain should we de-
clare the former without insisting upon the
latter; because to permit territorial legis-
lations to prohibit or establish slavery, or
by unfriendly legislation to invaledate pro-
perty, would be granting powers to the crea-
ture or agent which it is admitted do not
appertain to the principal or power that
creates, besides which it 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 terri
tory with whatever property he legally
possesses.
1t necessarily devolves upon the Federal
Government the duty to protect this right
of the citizen whenever and wherever as
sailed or infringed. The Democratic party
honestly unites this agitating question
which is threatening to sever and destroy
this brotherhood of State.
1t does not propose to legislate for the
extension of slavery nor for its restriction,
but to give to each State and to every cit
izen, all that our forefathers proposed to
give, viz: perfect equality of rights and
then to commit to the people as to the
climate or soil the determination as to the
kind of institution best fitted to their re-
quirement in their Constitutional limits,
and declaring as a fundamental maxim
that the people of territory can only es-
tablish or prohibit slavery when they
come to form a Constitution preparatory
to their admission into the Union. If hap
PLY our principles shall prevail an era of
peace and harmony will be restored toour
distracted country, and no more shall we
be troubled with the agitation of this dan
gerous question because it will be removed
as we'll from the territorial legislatures as
from the Halls of Congress, when we
shall be free to turn our attention to more
useful issues, the motive of our growth in
National greatness. Our Union must be
preserved, but this can only be done by
maintaining the Constitution inviolate in
all its provisions and guarantees of the
Judicial authority as provided by the Con-
stitution must be maintained and its de-
cisions implicitly obeyed as well in regard
to tie rights of property in the Territories
as in all our others matters. Hoping for
success and trusting in the truth and JUS
tice of the principles of our party and in
that Divine Providence that has watched
over us, and made US one of the great ma
tions of the earth, and that we may con-
tinue to merit Divine protection. Icheer-
fully accept the nomination so unanimous
ly conferred on me, and cordially endorse
the platform adopted by the Convention.
l have the honor to be, sir, with much re-
spect, your friend and obedient servant,
JOSEPH LANE.