Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-02
Mr.. Douglas Letter of Acceptance.

Mr.. Douglas Letter of Acceptance.
Gentlemen: In accordance with the YER
bal assurance which gave you 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. Up
on a careful examination of the platform of
principles adopted at Charleston and reaf-
| frmed ut Baltimore, with an additional reso-
! luton which is in perfect harmony with the
others, | find it to be faithful embodiment
of the time honored principles of the demo-
cratic party, as the same now proclaimed
and understood by all parties in the presi-
Dental contest Of 1913, 1852 and 1885,
Upon looking into the proceedings of the
convention, also, | find that the nomination
was made with great unanimity, in the
presence and with the concurrence Of more
| than two-thirds of the whole number of del
egates, and in exact accordance with the
long established usages of the party.
My intiexible purpose not to be candl-
date, nor accept the nomination in any con-
tingency except rs the regular nominee of
the National democratic party, and in that
case only upon conditions that the usages as
well as the prnci Piles of the party should be
strictly adhered t., had been proclaimed
for a long time, and become well known to
the country. These conditions having all
been complied with by the free and volun-
tary action of the democratic masses and
their faithful representatives, without any
agency. interference or procurement on my
part. feel bound in honor and duty to ac-
ccpt the nomination.
In taking this step | am not unmindful OF
the responsibilities it imposes; but in
firm reliance on Divine Providence, | have
faith that the people will comprehend the
true nature Of the issue involved and even
tually maintain the right. The peace of the
country and perpetuity of the Union have
been put in jeopardy by attempts to inter-
fere with and control the domestic affairs
of the people in the Territories, through the
agency of the federal government. If the
power and duty of federal interference be
conceded, two hostile parties must be the
inevitable result. The one intaming the
passions and ambition Of the North, and the
other Of the South and each struggling to
use the federal power and authority for the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of its own section, ut the
expense of the equal rights of the other, and
in derogaton Of those fundamental prlnci-
plies OF selEgovernment which were firmly
established in this country by the American
revolution rs the basis Of our entire repub.
lican system.
During the memorable period in our poll
teal history, when the advocates Of federal
intervention upon the subject of slavery in
the Territories had well-nigh precipitated
the country into revolution the northern in
teryentionists, demanding the Wilmot pro-
yjso for the prohibition Of slavery, and the
southern interyentionists, then few in num-
Der and without single representative IN
either House 0f Congress, insisting upon
congressional legislation for the protection
slavery, in opposition 10 the wishes OF the
people in either case, it will be remembered
that it required all the wisdom, power and
Influence ola Clay and Webster and Cass,
supported by conservative and patriotic men,
whig and democratic, of that day, to devise
and carry cut 4 line of policy which would
restore peace to the country and stability
to the Union.
The essential living principle of that poll
cy, as applied in the legislation of 1850, was,
and now is, nou-inteyrention by Congress m'M
siac1y in lie Territories. The fair applica-
ton OF this just and equitable principle, re-
stored harmony and fraternity to distracted
| country.
five now depart from that wise and just
policy which produced these happy results,
and permitthe country to be again distracted,
if not prcciptated into revolution by sec
| tional contest between pro-slavery and anti
| slavery intervcntionists, where shall We look
for another Clay, another Webster, or anoth-
cr CaS$ to pilot the ship OF State over the
! breakers into the haven of peace and safety?
The federal Union must be preserved
| The constitution must be maintained inVio-
Iare in all lis parts. Every right guaranteed
| by the constitution must be protected by law,
i'll all eases where legislation is necessary to
| It's enjoyment. The judicial authority, as
| provided in the constitution, must be sus-
| tanned, aud its decisions implicitly obeyed
and faithfully executed. The laws must be
administered and the constitutional authori-
ties upheld, and..all unlawful resistance sup
pressed.
These things must all be done with firm
ness, impartiality and fidelity, if we expect
10 ENJOY and transmit, unmpaired, to our
posterity that blessed inheritance which we
have received in trust from the patriots and
>age> Of the revolution.
With sincere thanks for the kind and agree
able manner in which yon have made known
to me the action Of the convention, | have
the honor 70 be, very respectfully,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
). \. DOUGLAS.
Hon. W II. Ludlow, Of New York: II. p.
| Dick, of North Carolina; Il. Z. Wicklitte, of
| Louisiana; and others Of the committee.
DEATH OF 4 DANDlT-FATE OF 4 UNITED