Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1860-06-14
ACCEPTANCE or rHe NOV. JOHN


The Hen. john Bell, Of Tennessee, sd-
dressed the follout.S letter 20 the Hoo.
Washington Hunt, accepting the nomins-
tion for the Presidency, rendered By the
ConsiitutionAl Union CenventIop
HAsuviLLE, May u. 1850
DrsR Sn:-Ofhcial information Of nv
noDiaaiion to the Presidency by the Ma.
tioDal Union Convention, Of which YOU were
the preceding Officer, Was communicated 10
me by yonr letter Of tie llth Instant. at
Philadslphia. on the eve Of my departure
With my family e. my place Ct re.ideoss in
Tsnpsssse, and difs1snt, 90 1 ~ss, % ny
vorthineAs, / did got hesitate to siguify
nay intention 10 seeepi the position sssigasd
TO me by that distinguished aud PATRIOTS
body. But for e9s=ssisnee. and under =
sense Of propristy 81 acting IN 80 grave q
matter With greater deliberAiicp. | e5nciui.
Cd, NJ / informed you At the time, b. a phi
vate note, TO defer forn.i acceptance ua-
al after my arrival at home
Now, that | hsvs had ell The leisure !
could desire for reHec,ion upon the cireum.
stances under which the pomiuatiou Wa
made, the purity Of the motives. ard the
lofty spiIii Of patriotism BY which the Coz
yes'ion x1s animated, n. eviuesd 10 Ill its
proceedings, ] can appreciate more justly
the honor done me By the nomination and
though IL nigh, have been more fortunate
for the leouoIy had /: fallen upon some oue
Of The many distinguished statesmen whose
names were bfought to the notice Of the con-
veution, rather than myself, seeep, ia, With
all its possible responsibilities. Whatever
may be the issue Of the ensuing canvass, as
for myself shall ever regard Il - proud
distinction, Zone worth life long effort 20 al
tain, TO be pronounced worthy to receive
the highest once in the governments a. such
time rs the present, and BY such . eorveu-
ton ~ that which recently met in Balti>
more convention far less imposing by the
number ~ its members, large IS it was than
by their high character.
In IL were men venerable alike for their
age and their public services, who would not
have been called from their voluntary retire
ment from public life, but by the slronges.
sense Of patriotic duty; Others though still
IN the prime Of life, ranking with the frst
men OF the sountry By horors and dis,iue>
tions already acquired in high efieial posi-
lions, State and National, many Of those
statesmen worthy TO fill the highest Office 10
The government; . still greater aumber oe.
eupying the highest rank in their respective
professional pursuits; others distinguished
BY their intelligence and vell-esrnsd iDau-
enes in various walks OF private life and q II
animated aud uEited by one spirit, and one
Purpose, the result Of . strong conviction
that our political system, under the opera.
ton OF q complication Of disorders, is rapid.
approaching crisis when speedy change
must ,Aks place, indicating, az 10 diseases Of
Abe ply body, recovery or death.
The convention in discarding tie use Of
platforms, eIsets no pledge from those whom
they deem worthy Of the highes, trus, under
the government, wisely considering tha, the
surssi guaranty Of man q failure usefulness
aud hielity 70 the great interests Of the
country, in any Official station to which be
may be ebosso, 10 to be found in his past
history connected with the public service
The pledge Implied ia my acceptance Of the
nomination Of Ihe National Uoioa Convsn-
tiou, is, that, should be elected, I will no
depart from the spiri. end tenor Of my pa.t
course; aud the obligation to keep this pledge,
derives double force from the considers,
ton that none is required from me.
You, sir, ia yoer letter containing the off
eial announcement ~ my nomination. have
been pleased 70 EseTibe to me the merit Of
moderation and justice 10 my past public
career. You have likewise gwen me credit
Tor uniform supper, Of all wise aud bsns>
hosent measures Of legislation for 6rm re-
sistance 20 sll measures calculated TO sngen-
der sectional diseoTd and for l,fs,long de-
Totlon 20 the union, harmony aud prospsri.
" "t these States Whether your persoaGl
Part'aliiy has led you 10 overslAts my msr,
i's as pubic man or not, in your suumer-
alton u them, you have presented a sunms-
ry-A basis Of all sound American statesman.
ship Ii may be objected iast nothing is
said 10 this summary, in express terms, Of
the obligations imposed by the constitution
but The duty 90 respect aud ob'ervs them il
clearly implied, for will out the due obssr-
vance, IN tho conduct Of tho goyerDmcut. II
the Constitution, rs restrictions and require.
nents, fairly interpreted 10 accordance with
Hs spirit And otjee :, there car be no ed to
sectional diseerd-uo 20 uriiy for the bar
mony Of the Union
l have not the vanity TO assume that 10
my pact eonneetiop with the public service,
/ have exomplidsd the course Of sound
American statesman; bat IL have deserved
The favorable view taken Of IL, ia your letter.
] may hope by faithful adherence TO the
maxiHs BY which 1 have heretofore bssn
guided, not altogether 10 disappoini the con.
hdence and expectations Of those Who have
$780, ~ " ny FfNHf NNAaAi0N 70 ANa pub
lic aud ". under Providence. should BE-
called % preside over the az -irs Of this great
country ~ tie Executive chief Of The gov
eEsneni, ,be only further pledge feel cali.
ed upon 10 make. is, that 10 the utmost Of
my ability, aud With whatever strenRih Of
will ] can command, Ell the posers and in-
husnea belonging 70 py ofhsial alton shall
be employed az directed Tor the promotion
Of All toe great objects for which the govern.
ment VAS Instituted but more e.psoially fsr
the msiuteutnoe q the constitution ADD a. .
union' ssainsi al opposing irauebsss aud
tendencies
= | csnbot conclude this Letter without s1.
pressing my high eradication a the noni.
nation 20 the second oiiss undor ths govern
msp,, Of that smiBsDt.y gifted sod distn.
gaiehed statesman q Msssscheusstis. I'd
ssfd Eyefett, gentlemen held ~ geusrsl
consent 20 be altogether worthy Of tbo Gr.;
IendefinR ny grateful seknos led gsments
Tor the Kind and Complimentary Tsmssks
siih vhieh yop ~ers pleased - sesomfsry
the commus iestioa Of ny nomtnstioh. / "a.
dear sir, s.ih she b'ghes, respect your ODE.
aisrt teffhai, Jsus BFtL
nsaN ASp HoHsEa nURHEn.