Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-09
Gen. Lanes Acceptance of his Nomination for
the Vice-Presidency.


S1R:-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF the communication you make
in behalf of the Democratic National Conven-
ton, in which you inform me that on the
23d instant | was unanimously nominated
by that body as the candidate of the demo.
cratic party for the Office of Vice President OF
the United States, with the request that l
shall accept the nomination.
The platform adopted, and OF which you
enclose me copy, meets wlthmy hearty APP
prevail. as it embodies what have been con-
tending for rs the only means Of stopping
sectional agitation, by securing to all equal
ity and constitutional rights, the DENIAL OF
which has led to the present unhappy condi-
ton of public affairs
Compromises of constitutional principles
are ever dangerous, and am reJoleed that
the true democracy has seen lit to plant a
firm foot on the rock OF truth, and to give the
people an opportunity to vindcate their love
OF Justice and lraternal regard for each other
rights
Non-intcrYention on the subject OF slavery,
may emphatically say, is the cardlnal max
i'm Of the democracy. non-intervention by
| Congress and non-interyenton by territorial
legislatures, as is fully stated in the first re-
solution OF the adopted platform. In vain
should we declare the former without INSIST
ing upon the latter, because, to permit terri
torial legislatures to prohibit or establish sla'
very, or by uniriendly Legislation to nvall
date property, would be granting powers to
the creature or agent, which, 1T Is admitted
do not appertain to the principal, or the pow
er that creates; besides which 1t would be
| fostering an element OF agitation IN the terri
tory that must necessarily extend To Con
sress and the people of all the States.
If the constitution establishes the right Of
! every citizen to enter the common territory
with whatever property he legally possesses
| it necessarily deyolyeS on the federal govern
ment the duty to protect this rlghtot the CIT
| izen whenever or wherever assaulted or IN
iringed. The democratic party honorabl J
meets this agitating question, which Is
| threatening to sever and destroy this broth
| erhood OF States. 1t does not propose to lltl
cate for the extension Of slavery, nor tor 1t:
restriction, but to rive to each State ana &c
every citizen all that our iureathe1s propos
ed to give, namely: perfect equality or rights
and then to commit to the people, TO climate
| and to soil the determination as TO the kinc
| of institutions best fitted to theirreQnire
ments in their constitutional limits and de
| claring, as fundamental maxim; that the
people of territory can only establish or pro
hiblt slavery when they GONE to form aeon
sttution, preparatory to their admission as {
State into the Union.
If, happily, our princi pies shall prevail, ar
era of peuce and harmony will he restored
| to our distracted country, and no more
shall we be troubled with the agitation OF
this dangerous question, because 1t VIII DC
removed as we'll from the territorial leglsla
lures as from the halls of Congress-whcr
VIC shall be free to turn our attention Il
more useful issues, promUtiyc OF our growth
! in national greatness.
! Our Union must be preserved. But tins
can only be done by maintaining the constI
tuition inyiolatc in all its provisions aac
guarantees. The judicial authority, as pro
vided by the constitution. must he sustain
ed and It's decisions implicitly obeyed, Il:
well in regard to the rights of property II
the Territories as in all other matters.
| Hoping for success, and trusting III the
truth and justice Of the principles Of oul
party, and in that Divine Providence that ia:
watched over, us, and made us one OF thu
treat nations of the earth, and that, We may
| continue to merit Divine protection, | cheer
| fully accept the nomination so unanmous!y
conferred on me, and cordially endorse the
platform adopted by the convention.
have the honor to be, sir, with much re
spect, your friend and obedicnt servant,
JoSEru LANE.