The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-07-11
To Hon. STEPHEN a. DOUGLAS.
The following is Mr.. Dougas' letter ac-
,epting the nomination for the Presidency

ceptiog the nominlton for the Presidency:
WASHINGTON, June 81, 1860.
GEyTLrMEN In accordance with the
verbal assurance which give when you
placed in my hands the authentic evidence
of my nomination for the Presidency by the
National Convention of the Democratic
party, now tender you my formal accept
anCe. Upon careful examination of the
platform Of principles adopted at Charleston,
and affirmed at Baltimore, with on additional
resolution, which is in perfect harmony with
the others, fad it to be a faithful em5odi-
ment OF the time honored principles of tho
Democrats party, as the same were pro.
c|Gjn5d aud understood by all parties in.the
Presidential contests of 1913, 1852 and 1856.
Up1n looking into The proceedings OF the
Convention, also, lind that the nomination
Was N dc with gre t unanimity in the pres.
enco and vita the concurrence Of more than
two th;ri5 Of the Wh)l number OF delegates,
and in eylct accordance with the long es-
tnb'jSDed u-agas of the party.
My iEtl2Xi5ie purpose not to be candi-
date, nor accept the nomination in any con-
tingencY, except as the regular nominee of
the NatI91e. Drmpcratlc party, and in that
case only up IL" condition that the usages
ao wei as the principles of the party should
be strictly adherGd to, have been proclaimed
for long time, and become we'll known to
the country. These conditions having been
complied with by the free and voluntary &C
ton of the ID 4mocratic masses, and their
faithful representatives., without any agency,
, interference, or procurement on my part,
feel bound in honor and duty to accept the
nomination.
In taking this step am not unmindful Of
the responsibilities it imposes !; but with a
firm reliance on Divine Providence, have
fuith that the people will comprehend the
true nature of the issues involved, and even
tually maintain the right. The peace of the
country and the perpetuity of the Union
have been put in jeopardy by attempts to
interfere with and control the domestic affairs
of The people in The Territories through the
agency of the federal government. If the
power and duty of federal interference be
conceded, two hostile sectional parties must
be the inevitable result: the one infaming
the passions and ambition of the North, and
the other of the South and each struggling
t. use the federal power and authority for
the indictment OF its own section ut the
expense OF the equal rights of the other, and
in derogation of those fundamental princi-
Piles of self government which were firmly
established in this country by the American
revolution as the basis of our entire Repub-
licnn system.
During a memorable period in our politi.
cal history, when the advocates of federal
Intervention upon the subject of slavery in
the territories, had we'll nigh "preciptated
the country into revolutions" the Northern
interoentoniSts dem anding the Wilmot Pro.
viSo for the prohibition OF slavery, and the
Southern iuterventonists, then few in mum.
Der and without single representative in
either House of Congress, insisting upon
Congressional legislation for the protection
of slavery, in opposition to the wishes of the
people in either case, it will be remembered
that it required all the wisdom, power and
influence of Clay, and q Webster, and q
Cass, supported by the conservative and pa
triotic men, Wing and Democrat of that
day, to devise and carry out line Of policy
which would restore peace to the country,
and stability to the Union.
The essential living principle of that pol
icy, as applied in the Legislation of 1850,
was and now is, non iaterUentjoaJy Congress
aoih slauerY in The Territories. The fair ap.
plcotion OF this just and equitable principle
restored harmony and fraternity to dis
tracted country.
II we uow depart from that wise and just
r policy whicb produced those happy results.
and permit The country to be again distracted
if not precipitnted into revolution by sec
tional contest between pro-slavery and anti.
slavery nterventiOnsts, where shall we look
; for another Clay another Webster-or an
other Cass, to pilot the ship of State over the
breakers into the haven OF peace and safety
The Federal Union must be preserved
the Constitution must be maintaiHed invio'
late in 3 II its parts; every right guaranteed
by the Constitution must be protected BY
] law in all cases where legislation is neces-
sary to its enjoyment. The Judicial author
ity, as provided ia the Constitution, must be
sustained and its decision implicitly obeyed
and faithfully executed The laws must be
administered, and the constituted authorities
f unheld. and all unlawful resistance sup
pressed.
These things must all be done with firm
ness, impartiality end fidelity, if we expect
TO enjoy and transmit, unimpaired, to ouI
posterity, the blessed inheritance which we
have received in trust from the patriots ane
sages of the revolutions s
With sincere thanks for the kind and
agreeable manner in which you have made
known to nae the action Of the Convention
; I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
: Your friend and fellow citizen,