Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-07-12

WASHINGTON, June 80, 1860.
Sr:-l have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt of
the communication you make n behalf of the Democrat
lc National Convention, in which you inform me that
on the 23d instant was unanimously nominated by that
body as the candidate of the democratic party for the
office of Vice President of the United States, with the
request that shall accept the nomination.
The platform adopted, and of which you enclose me
copy, meets with my hearty approval, as it embodies
what have been contending for the only means of
stopping sectional agitation by securing to all equality
and constitutional rights the denial of which has led to
the present unhappy condition of public affairs.
Compromises OF constitutional principles are ever
dangerous, and ] rejoced that the true democracy
has seen tit to plant firm foot the rock of truth and
to give the people an opportunity to vndcae their love
OF justice and raerna regard for each others rights
Non-lnervention on the subject of slavery | NAV
emphatlcay say, is the cardinal maxim OF the democra
cy-nonntervention by Congress and non-intervention
by territorial legislatures, is fully stated in the first
resolution OF the adopted platform. In vain should we
declare the former without insisting upon the latter be-
cause to permit territorial legislatures to prohibit or
establish slavery or by unfriendIy legislation to nva-
date property would be granting powers TO the creature
or agent which, it is admitted do not apr erain to the
principal or the power that creates besides which it
would be fostering element of agitation in the terri
tory that must necessarily extend to Congress and the
people of all the States
the constitution establishes the right of every citi
zen to enter the common territory with whatever proper
" ne legally possesses, 1t necessarily devoves on the
federal government the duty to protect this right of the
CITIZEN whenever or wherever assaed Or infripged-
ne democratic party hOnorably meets this aptatino
question, which threatening to sever and DESTROY this
Drotherh0od OF States 1t does not propose to tioate
Tor the extension of slavery, for its restriction but
TO give to each State and to every citizen all that our
forefathers proposed to give namely: perfect equality
OF rights and then to commit to the people to climate
and to SOIL the determination as to the kind of nstu
tsns best fitted to their requirements in their constn
tional limits and declaring, fundamental maxim
taa the people OF territory only establish or pro-
hlblt slavery when they come to form constitution
preparatory to their admission as a State into tho
Union. ~ 0
IT, happily, our principles shall prevail an era Of neaco
and harmony will be restored to our distracted country
end no more shall we be troubled with the agitation If
lns dangerous question: because it will be removed m
wen from the territorial legislatures as from the halls
Congress--When We shall be free to turn orr atten+
% more useful issues, promoVe of our growth in nation
ii greatness. - n"'ion-
Our union must be preserved But this can onlv he
zone Dy MAINTAINING the constitution nviolate in ali its
oroVslons ana guarantees The judicial authority as
provided by the constitution must be sustained and ito
iecslons implicitly obeyed as well in regard tn tho
lights OF property in the Territories as in ali other mat
erS. ~ i"'-
Hoping Tor success and trusting in the truth and ms
Ice OF the principles of our party and in that Divine
roVidence that has watched over u.s. and made ma
tne great nations OF the earth, and that we NAV
nue 10 merit Divine protection cheerfuly accent the
omlnatlon so unanimously conferred on me. and COR
ay endorse the platform adopted by the convention
nave the honor to be, sir, with much respect vonr
lend and obedient servant 'oOi
JOSEPH LANE