New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-07-04
snr. Douglas, Letter of Acceptance.

WASHINGTON, June 29.-Ihe following H Ar
Douglas letter accepting the nomination for the
Presidency
+ Gentlemen: In accordance with the verbal aszl.
surance which gave ypu when you placed in my
hands the authentic evidence of my nomination
for the Presidency by the National Convention of
the Democratic party, now send you my formal
acceptance. Upon careful examination Of the
platform of principles adopted at Charleston, and
reaftrmed at Baltimore, with an additional reso-
luton which is in perfect harmony with the 9TH
ers find it to be faithful embodiment Of the
ime-honOred principles of the Democratic party
as the same were proclaimed and understood by
all parties in the Presidential contests OF Is4s,
1852 and 1856. Upon looking into the proceed
ings of the Convention also, find that the nomi-
nation was made with great unanimity in the pre-
| senee and with the concurrence OF more than
two-thirds of the whole number OF delegates, and
| in exact accordance with the long established
4 usages of the party.
| NV intlexible purpose not to be candidate, nor
| accept the nomination in any contingency except
party, and in that case only upon conditions that
/ the usages as well the principles of the party
| should be strictly adhered TO, had been proclaimed
i for a long time and become well known to the
| country These conditions have all been complied
| with by the free and voluntary action Of the DEM
ocratic masses and their faithful representatives
without any agency, interference or procurement,
on my part, feel bound in honor and duty TO ac-
cept the nomination.
In taking this step am not unmindful of the re-
sponsibities it imposes; but, with a firm reliance
on Divine Providence have faith that the people
will comprehend tie true nature of the issue in
yolyed, and eventually maintain the right. The
peace of the country and perpetuity 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 Fed
erai Governmont.
conceded two hostile parties must be the newt
able results. The one intiaming the passions and
ambition of the North. and the other Of the South
aud each struggling to use the Federal power and
authority for the aggrandizcment OF It's own sec
ton the expense Of the equal rights Of the other
and in derogation of those fundamental principles
of seif-goyernment which were firmly established
in this country by the american Revolution as the
t basis Of our entire Republican system.
0 During the memorable period in our political
history when the advocates OF Federal intervention
upon the subject of slavery in the Territories mad
well-nigh precipitated the country into resolu-
: tion the Northern interventionists demanding the
Wilnot Proyso for the prohibition OF slavery, and
the southern interventfonists then few in number,
and without single representative in either House
of Congress, insisting upon Congressional legisla-
ton for the protection of slavery in opposition to
!, the wishes OF the people in either case it will be
remembered that II required all the wisdom, power
, and influence of Clay and Webster and Cass,
! ! supported by conservative and patriotic men,
= Wing and Democratic, of that day to devise and
i carry out line of policy which would restore
!. peace to the country and stability to the umon.
The essential living principle OF that policy as ap-
= piled in the legislation OF 1850, and now is--
!, non-nterventi0n by Congress with slavery 10 the
+ Territories. The fair application of this Just and
!, equitable principle restored harmony anu tfatef'
q | nifty to q distracted country.
y II we depart from that wise and just policy
y y which produced these happy results, and permit
the country to be again distracted il not precipi
tated into revolution by sectional contest between
H. proslavery and antislavery interventionsts wher'
= Shall we look for another Clay another Webster
or another Cass pilot the ship of State over th
Il breakers into the haven Of peace and safety
- y The Federal Union must be preserved. I'M
Constitution must be maintained inviolate in all it
= parts. Every right guaranteed by the Constitution
a must be protected by law, in all cases where legs
i; lation is necessary its enjoyment, The Judlca
~ ~ authority as provided in the Constitution, must
~ ~ sustained and It's decisions implicitly obeyed an
Il faithfully executed. The laws mast be admins
~ tered and the constituted authorities Upheld, ans
- ~ all unlaWiul resistance suppressed. ~
i These things must al be done with hrmness I'm
~ partially and fidelity, it expect to e4lay an
IA transmit unimpaired, TO our posterlty that nesse
~ inheritance which have received IL trust iroi
IN IN the patriot sages of the Reyolntion,
81 m With sincere thanks for the kind and agreeaoi
Gu manner in which you have made known to me %
action of the Convention. have the honor to ht
Very respectfully, yeaf trien1 aud isllss eiiiI.n
cir IA,, w IT Iudlov r. Y. Dick of North Cur
or Ina r. & Wicke, Of Louisiana and others Of the Cor