Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-07-06

confusion in accounts, and be better for both
us and our patrons.
Mr. Douglas Letter of Accep-
lance.
Gentlemen: In accordance with the YER
bal assurance which I gave you when you
placed in my hands the authentic evidence
of my nomination Tor the Presidency by the
National Convention of the Democratic par
ty, now send you my formal acceptance.
Upon careful examination of the platform
Of principles adopted at Charleston and re-
affirmed at Baltimore, with an additional
resolution, which is in perfect harmony with
the others, find it to be faithful embed
iment of the time honored principles of the
Democratic party, as the same now pro-
claimed and understood by all parties in the
presidential contests of 1848, 1852 and 1856.
Upon looking into the proceedings of the
convention, also, find that the nomination
was made with great unanimity in the pres
ence and with the concurrence of more than
thirds of the whole number of dele
gates, and In exact accordance with the
long established usages of the party.
My inAexible purpose not to be candi-
date nor accept the nomination in any con-
tingency except as the regular nominee Of
the National Democratic party, and in that
case ouly upon conditions that the usages as
well as the principles of the party should
be strictly adhered to, had been proclaimed
for long time and become we'll known to
the county. These conditions having all
been complied with by free and voluntary
action of the democratic masses and their
faithful representa- yes, without any agen-
cy; interference or procurement on my part
| feel bound in honor and duty to accept
the nomination.
In taking this step am not unmindful
Of the responsibility it imposes but Ia firm
reliance ON Divine Providence, I have faith
that the people will comprehend the true
nature of the issue involved and eventually
maintain the right The peace of the coun-
try and perpetuity Of the Union have been
putin jeopardy by attempts to interfere with
and control the domestic affairs Of the peo-
pie 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 infaming the passions and
ambition of the North, the other Of the
South and each struggling to use the fed
eral power and authority for the aggrandise-
menl of its own section at the expense of
the equal rights Of the other and deara-
CATION of these fundamental principles Of
self government which were firmly estab-
lished in this country by the American rev.
olution as the basis Of our entire republican
system.
During the memorable period in our po-
litical history, when the advocates of federal
Intervention upon the subject of slavery ia
the Territories had we'll nigh precipitated the
country into revolution, the northern intor-
yentionists, demanding the Wilmot proviso
for the prohibition OF slavery, and the south
ern interventionists then few in number and
without single representative in either
House Of Congress, insisting upon congress
sional Legislation for the protection Of slave
ry, in opposition to the wishes Of the people
in either case, it will be remembered that it
required all the wisdom, power and influence
of Clay and Webster and Cass, sup
ported by conservative and patriotic men,
wing and democratic, Of that day, to devise
and carry out a 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, non Intervention By Con-
gress NTH Slavery in the Territories. The
fair application of this just and equitable
principle restored harmony and fraternity to
distracted country.
If we now depart from that wise and just
policy which produced these happy results,
and permit the country to be again distrac-
ted, if not precipitated into revolution by
sectional contest between pro-slavery and
anti-slavery interventionists where shall we
look for another Clay, another Webster, or
another Cass 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-
late in all its parts. Every right guaranteed
by tho constitution must be protected by law
in all cases where legislation is necessary to
its enjoyment. The judicial authority, as
provided in the constitution, must be SUE
tanned, and its decisions implicitly obeyed
and faithfully executed. The laws must be
administered and the constitutional autkori-
ties upheld. and all unlawful resistance sup
pressed.
These things must all be done with firm
ness, impartially aud fidelity if we expect to
enjoy and transmit, unimpaired, to our pos
terity, that blessed Inheritance which we
have received in trust from the patriots and
sages ofthe revolution.
With sincere thanks for the kind and a.
greeable manner in which you have made
known to me the action Of the convention, |
have the honor to be, very respectfully.
Your friend and fellow citizen.
s. A. DOUGLAS.
Hon. W. H. Ludlow, of New York; T.
P. Dick, of North Carolina; R. c, Wick
life. of Louisiana, and others of the COM
mittee.