Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-07-03
SNAFFLE.
Judge Douglas Letter of Acceptance.
WASHINGTON lime 27 1860


GESTLEMEN:-Ia accordance with the VERT
al assurance which l gave you when you
placed in my hands the authentic evidence of
nv nomination for the Presidency by the
National Convention of the Democratic par
ty, now send you my formal acceptance.
Upon careful examination of the platform
of principles adopted at Charleston, and re-
affirmed at Baltimore, with an additional res
olution which is in perfect harmony with the
others, 1 find it to be faithful embodiment
Of the time-honored principles of the Demo-
cratic party, as the same were proclaimed
and understood by all parties in the Presi-
Dental contests of lS48. 1852, 1856. Upon
looking into the proceedings of the Conven-
ton, also, find that the nomination was
made with great unanimity. in the presence
and with the concurrence of more than two
thirds of the whole number of delegates, and
in exact accordance with the long estab-
lished usages of the party.
Ny infexibl. purpose uot to be q candi-
date, nor to accept the nomination under
any contingency, except as the regular NOM
inee of the National Democratic party, and,
in that case, only upon the condition that
the usages, as we'll as the principles of the
party. should be strictly adhered to. had been
proclaimed for long time, and became well
known to the country. These conditions
having all been complied with by the free aud
voluntary action of the Democratic masses,
and their faithful representatives,, without
any agency, interference, or procurement on
my part, feel bound in honor aud duty to
accept the nomination.
In taking this step, l am not unmindful of
the responsibilities it imposes, but with firm
reliance upon Divine Providence, l have
faith that the people will comprehend the
true nature OF the issues involved and event
ually maintain their rights. The peace of
the country and the perpetuation 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 the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent is TO be conceded, two hostile Sec
tional parties must be the inevitable result,
the one infiaming the passions and ambition
of the North, and the other of the South,
and each struggling to use the Federal power
and authority tUr the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF Its
own section at the expense OF the equal
rights of the other, and in derogation of
those fundamental principles-the principles
of self-goyernment-whi were firmly estab
lished in this country by the American Rcvo-
luton, as the basis of our entire republican
system. During the memorable period OF our
history, where the advocates OF Federal in
PREVENTION upon the subject of slavery in the
Territories had well nigh precipitated the
country into revolution, The Northern inter-
ventionists demanding the Wllmot Provlso
for the prohibition of slavery, and the South
ern interventionists, then few in number, and
without single representative in either
House of Congress, insisting upon Congress
sIonal legislation for the protection OF slavery
in opposition TO the wishes OF the people. In
either case it will he remembered 1t required
all the wisdom, power and influence OF a
Clay and Webster, and Cass. supported
by the conservative and patriotic men OF the
Wing and Democratic parties OF that day, to
devise and carry out u line OF policy which
would restore peace to the country and sta
bility TO The Union.
The essential living principle of that poll
CIV, as applied in the legislation of 1850 was,
and now is, non-interventIon by Congress
with slavery in the territories. The fair APP
plication OF this just and equitable principle
restored harmony and fraternity To dis
tracted country. Ii we now depart from the
wise and just policy which produced these
happy results, and permit the country to he
again distracted, il not precipltated into
revolution by sectional contest, between
pro-slavery aud anti-slavery interventiOnists,
where shall we look Tor another Clay, anoth-
er Webster, another Cas-. to pilot the ship OF
State over the breakers, into Il haven Of peace
and safety.
The Federal Union must be preserved
The Constitution must be maintained invio-
late in all its parts, every right guaranteed
by the Constitution must be protected 10y it.
In all cases where legislation is necessary to
its enforcement, the judicial authority, as
provided in the Constitution, must be sus-
tanned and its decisions implicitly obeyed and
faithfully executed; the laws must be admin
istered aud the constituted authorities upheld,
and all unlawful resistance TO these things
must all be met with trmness, impartiality,
and fidelity, if we expect TO enjoy and trans
NIT to our posterity tnst blessed Inheritance
which we have received in trust from the pat
riots and sages OF the revolution.
With sincere thanks Tor the kind and agree
able manner i'll which you have made known
to ME the action OF the Convention.
/ have the honor 10 b.,
Very Respectfully,
Your friend and Iellow-cIuzcn.
5. a. DOUGLAS.