Gazette and sentinel., 1860-07-14
WAsHINGTON, June 80. lS6

NON. C"ttO CUSHthS 4 jtStUtHF' }
! have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the communication you make
in behalf of the National Democratic
Convention, at which yuu inform me
that on the 23d | was unanimously nom
mated by that body for the office OF
Vice-Presideut of the United States,
with the request that | should accept the
nomination. The platform adopted, and
of which you enclose me u copy, meets
my hearty approval, as it cubodies
what | have been ~contending for as the
only means OF stopping sectional aglta-
ton by securing 10 all equality and con-
stitutional rights, the denial of which
has led to the present unhappy cOndI-
ton of public affairs. Compromise of
constitutional principles are ever dan
| geruus, and | am reioiced that the true
Democracy, has seen fit to plant a firm
foot on the rock of truth, and TO give
the people an opportunity to NIndlcate
their love of Justice and fraternal re-
gard for each others right. Nun-inter-
vention OH the subject of slavery, may
emphatically say, is the cardinal maxim
of the Democracy; nom-intcrventlon by
Congress and non-interyention by Ter
r~itorial Legislatures, is fully stated III
the platform adopted. In vain we
declare the former without insisting up
ON the latter, because to permit Terrific
rial Legislatures to prohibit such sla-
very, or by unfriendly legislation to IN
validate property, would be granting
powers to the creature or agent winch
it is admitted DO not appcrtaIn to the
principle orpowcr that creates; besides
which, it would be fastening an element
Of agitation in the Territories that must
necessarily extend To Congress, and the
people of all the States; the right OF ev'
cry citizen a. enter the c0Innion terrific
nv with whatever property he legally
posses. it necessarily devolves upon the
Federal Government the duty toprotecl
this right of a citizen, whenever or
wherever assaulted or infringed. The
Democratic party honestly meets TIN,
agitating question which is threatening
to destroy and sever this brotherhood od
States. 1t does not propose to leglslat'
for the extension of slavery, nor Tor IT.
restriction, but to each State, and t.
; every citizen, all u forefathers pro
posed to give, viz perfect equality o
rights. and then to submit to the people
|. the kind Of institution best fitted t.
, their requirements in their constitution
al limits, and declaring as a fundamen
tai maxim that the people of a Terrific
y nv can only establish or prohibit SLAYER.
when they come TO form a Constitute
preparatory to their admission as
State into the Union. If happily on
il principles shall prevail, an area 9
+ peace and harmony will be restored t
l. our distracted country, and no nor
Z shall we be troubled with the agltatlo
! of this dangerous question, because
u will be removed from the Terrltorl;
ID Legislatures as from the halls OF Col
l. nress. when we shall be free to turn OF
attention to more useful issues-th
l. motives of our growth in national grea
:: ness. The Judicial authority, as pr
+ yided by the Constitution, must .
n maintained and its decisions implicit
'e obeyed, as we'll in regard to the right
t. of property in the Territories as III a
j. other matters.
Hoping fof success, and trusting
the truth and justice Of the principles
3 our party, and that Divine Provldent
u that has watched owe us and made J
ly one of the great nations of the cart
,e and that we may continue to merit L
!, vine protection, l cheerfully accept Il
III .amo+;on so unanimously conferred
g me, and cordially indorse the platfor
adopted by the Convention.
ty have the honor to be, sir, with mu'
respect, your friend and obedient Sc
ant JOSEPH LANE.