Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-11

WAsnINsroN CRY. July 8, 1856

DEAR SRI have your letter OF the ZSd uumo by
which am officially informed OF my nomination for the
Office OF President OF the United States by the Demo
cratic National Convention lately assembled ct Balti-
more.
The circumstances OF this nomination will JUSTIFY NE
in referring to its personal aspect
have not sought nor desired 70 be placed before the
country for the office of President When my name Was
presented 10 the Convention at Charleston, 1t was with
drawn by friend in obedience to my expressed wishes.
Ny views had not changed when the Convention reas-
sembed at Baltimore; and when heard OF the differ
euces which occurred there, my udsposoa to be con-
ueccd prominently with the canvass was confirmed, and
expressed to many friends.
Without discussing the occurrences which preceded
the nominations and which are or soon will be well un-
ders God by the country have only 10 say that ap-
proved lust and necessary the preservation OF the
national organization and the sacred right OF represeu-
tatOu the action Of the Convention over which you con-
tinued to preside aud thus approving it and having
solved to sustain it. feel that does no; become me to
select the position shall occupy, nor TO shrink from the
responsibilities Of the post to which l have been as
signed Accordingly accep, the nomination from a
sense Of public duty; aud as think unutuenced in any
degree by the aluremeuts Of ambition.
avail myself Of this occasion to say that tue conn
deuce in my personal and public character implied by
the action of the Convention will always be gratefully
remembered aud i; is but just also TO my own feelings
70 express my qualification at the association OF my
name with that of my friend Gen. Lane patriot and a
en;le him the gratitude and confidence OF his coun-
trymcn.
The resolutions adopted BY the Convention have my
cordial approval They are just 10 all parts OF the Union
to all our citizens, native and natura1cd and they
form a noble policy for any administration.
The questions touching the rights OF persons and pro-
pSry which have Of late been much discussed, find in
these resolutions q constitutional solution Our Union ~
couederacy Of equal sovereign States for the purposes
enumerated in the Federal Constitution. Whatever the
4 ~ vaN FNn NuN
mas. BE euoycd equally by each 1t controls the Terri
tories in us. for all the States. Nothing less than SOW
ereguty can destroy Or impair the rights OF persons or
property The Territorial governments are subordinate
and temporary and sovereign heuee they cannot de-
sroy or Inpaif the rights OF persons property While
they counue to be Territories they under the control
of Congress bus The Constitution nowhere conters on any
branch OF tic Federal Government the power to discrim
uae aganst the rights Of the States tue property oil
their citizens i'm the Territories Ii follows that the c
zcns Of all the States may enter the Territories OF the
Union with their property Of whatever kind and enjoy
it during the Territorial condition without let or hin
drance either by Congress or by the subordinate Terrific
rial governments
These PRINCIPLES flow directly from the absence OF
ercgnty in the Territorial Governments aud from the
equality of the States Indeed they are essential to that
equality which is and has been the vital principle OF
constitutional Union. They have been settled legs
atvey settled judicousy and are sustained by right
reas They the rock Of the Constitution; they
will preserve the Consttu ion; they will preserve the
| Union.
It idle to attempt to smother these great issues to
ms-opescnt them by the Of partisan phrases which
are misleading and deusiye. The people will look be-
meath such expressions as Intervention COngression
al Slave Code" and the ike and will penetrate to the
real questions involved The friends Of Constitutional
equality DO not aud never did demand Congressional
slave code any other code in regard TO property
in the Territories They hold the doctrine Of non-nter
VentiOn by Congress or by Territorial Legislature eth
ia htffh
tiled BY the highest judicial tribunal u the Unou) the
plaid duty of the Federal Government, in all its depart
ment secure when necessary 10 the citizens OF all
the States the enjoyment of their property IN the com
Territories everywhere else vi hiu its Jurisdlc
ton The only logical answer TO this would seem to be
70 claim sovereign power for the Territories; 10 deny
that the Constitution recognizes property in the ser
vices of negro slaves TO deny that such property can
exist.
Inexorable logic which works its steady way through
clouds and passion compes the country to meet the issue
There Is no eyasve middle ground. Already the signs
multiply Of fanaical and growing party which denies
that under the Constitution, or by any other law slave
property can exist and ultimately the struggle must come
between this party and the National Democracy sustain
ed by all the other conservative elements IN the Union
/ think it will be impossible for candid man to dis
cover hostility to the Union, faint Of sectiOnasm in
the resolutions adopted by the convention. The cons
tuition and the Union repose the equality OF the States
which lies like broad foundation underneath our whole
political structure As construe them, the resolutions
simply assert this equality. They demand nothing for
any State or section that is cheeruy conceded to all
the rest il well TO remember that the chief disorders
which have afflicted our country have grown out OF the
violation of State equality and that long this great
principle bas been respected have been blessed with
harmony and peace Nor will It be easy TO persuade
the country that resolutions sectional which command
the support OF majority Of the States, and are approx
ed BY the bone and body Of the old Democracy and by
vast of the conservative opinion everywhere With
out regard to party.
IL has been necessary more than once in history
to pause and soemny assert the true character OF th;
| Government. memorable instance occurred in the
struggle which ended in the civil revolution Of 1900. The
Republicans Of that day, like the Democracy OF this
we're stigmaized dsunionsts, but they nobly con-
Quoted the contest under the Constitution and saved ou
political system BY like constitutional struggle it !:
intended now to assert and establish the equality OF the
States as the only basis of Union and peace When th;
object so national so constitutional so just shall be &C
compshed the last cloud will disappear from the Amer
can sky and with common hands and hearts the States
and the people will unite to develop the resources Of the
whole country bind it together with the bonds OF IN
tercourse and brotherhood and to impe il onward in IL
great career The Constitution aad the Equality OF the
| Statesl These symbols OF everlasting Unlon-
| Let these be the rallying cries Of the people.
trust that this will be conducted without ran
cor and that temperate arguments will take the place
hot words and passionate accusations. Above ALL ven
ture humbly TO hope that Divine Providence, TO whom
We owe our origin growth, and all our prosperity
will continue 10 protect beloved country against al
danger, foreign aud domestic.
am, with great respect your friend,
JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.
President of the Democratic National Convention.
REMOVAL or Cot. CARROLL TRON THE AkNrais Pos