Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-08-05
THE VICE PREsIDENCY-GOV. JOHN
SONS, LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.

SONS, LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
- r...,.,, q. NAsHyILLE, Tenn, July 2, 1864.
Hon William DenrisoR, Chairman, aud Others, |
Committee 6te National Union CoHuention. |
GENTLEMEN:-Your communication of the 9th
ult., informing me of my nomination for the |
Vice-Presidency of the United States, by the |
National Convention held at Baltimore, and en-
closing a copy of the resolutions adopted by |
that body was not received until the 25th ult.
A reply on my part had been previously made
TO the action of the Convention in presenting my
name, in a speech delivered in this city ON the
evening succeeding the day Of the adjournment
of the Convention, in which | indicated my ac-
ceptance Of the distinguished honor conferred
by that body, and defined the ground upon
which that acceptance was based. substantially
saying what now have to say. From the COM
nents made upon that speech by the various
presses of the country to which my attention
has been directed, L considered it to be regard
ed as full acceptance.
In view, however, of the desire expressed IN
your communication will more fully allude
to few points that have been heretofore pre-
sented. f w @ .e
My opinion on the leading questions at pres
ent agitating and distracting the public mind,
and especially in reference to the rebellion now
being waged against the Government and au-
thority of the United States presume, are gen
orally understood Before the Southern people
assumed belligerent attitude, (and repeatedly
since,) took occasion most frankly TO declare
the views | then entertained in relation to the
wicked purposes. of the -SOuthern politicians
They have since undergone but little, if any
change. Time and subsequent events have
rather confirmed than diminished my confidence
in their correctness. t ~f
At the beginning of this great struggle / en-
tertained the same opinion of it l do now, and
/ in my place in the Senate l denounced it as
i treason, worthy the punishment of death, and
warned the Government and people of the inn
IpendiDg danger. But my voice was not heard
or counsel needed, until it was too late to avert
the storm. II still continued 10 gather over us
without molestation from the authorities at
Washington until at length it broke with all its
fury upon the country. And now, five would
save the Government from being overwhelmed
by it, we must meet it in the true spirit of pa
triOtism, and bring traitors to the punishment
due their crime, and bsf force of arms crush out
and subdue the last Eestige ofrebel authority in
Ievery State | felt then as now, that the des-
ItructiOn of the Government was deliberately
) determined upon by wicked and designing con-
lspirators whose lives and fortunes were pledged
to carry it out, and that no compromise short q
an unconditional recognition of the independ-
enee of the Southern States, could have been, Ol
+ could now be proposed which they would accept
The clamOr for Southern rights" as the rebe
Journals Were pleased to designate their rally
I ing cry, was not TO secure their assumed right
, IN the Union and under the Constitution, but L
e disrupt the Government, and establish an indie
q lpendent organization, based upon slavery, whcl
n they could at all times control.
The separation of the Government has 70
years past been the cherished purpose of tn
: Southern leaders. Baffled, in 1882, by th
L. Of
. sullenly acquiesed only to mature their diabOl
d ical schemes and await more favorable Oppol
q tunity to execute them. Then the pretext wa
n tariff, and Jackson. after foiling their scheme
| of notification and disunion, with prophet
7 perspicacity, warned the country against the re
e newal of their efforts TO dismember the govern
g ment.
L In a letter dated May l, 1888, to the Rev.
: J, Crawford, after demonstrating the heartles
e linsncerity of the Southern nullifiers, he said
II eTherefors the tariff loas only pTeteIt, an
disaHion and a Southern Confederdcy the re-
g object. The qseTt preteIt toU be the Negro, I
/ SLAVERY question . .,..5 gt..s laa
/ Time has fully verified this prediction, al
lie we have now not only "the negro, or SldUei
N Id..eStiOn," as the pretext, but the real cause
ID the rebellion, and both must go down tOgethe
tits vain to attempt to reconstruct the UniC
with the distracting element of slavery in it.
Experience has demonstrated its incompatible
lty with free and republican governments, and
would be unwise and unjust longer to cOntinr
8 lit as one of the institutions of the country.
a. While it remained subordinate to the Constitl
OF tion and laws of the United States, yield,
- my support but when it became rebellious ar
y attempted to rise above the Government, Al
= control its action, threw my humble intiuen
7. against it.
Ii The authority of the Government is suprem
~ and will admit Of no rivalry No institute,
81 can rise above it, whether it be slavery or az
aV other organized power. In our happy form
government all must be subordinate to the W
n of the people, when rejecting through the co
~ lstitution and laws made pursuant thereto
IT. State or Federal. This great principle lies
ne the Foundation of every government, and cam
y, be disregarded without the destruction of
ne Government itself
py The mode. by which this. great change
~ emancipation of the slave can be effected
ne properly found in the power to amend the CO
n stitution of the United States. This plan is
pe fectual and of no doubtful authority; and wh
: il does not contravene the timely exercise of
ny war power by the President in his EmanciI
le- ton Proclamation, it comes stamped with the
me thority of the people themselves, acting in
eordanee with the written rule of the supre
|, law of the land, and must therefore give m
general satisfaction and quietude to the distra
49, 4 = -.s
= ed public mind
pa By recurring TO the principles contained
Is the resolutions so unanimously adopted by
ed Convention, L find that they substantially
e cord with my public acts and opinions here
oi fore made known and expressed, and are the
IN fore most cordially endorsed and approved; a
90. the nomination, having been conferred with
any solicitation ON my part, is with the gEes
pleasure accepted.
oil, In accepting the nomination, might b
mo close, but | cannot forego the opportunity
rec saving to my old friends of the Democratic ?
t1e 1 ty proper, with whom have 50 long and Pile
ole antlv been associated, that the hour has L
=, come, when that great party can Justly win
lhd cate its devotion to true Democratic policy
ave measures of expedieney- The war is wa
ri Ell great principles. Itinvolyes the supremacy
lhe life of the Government itself. If the rebel
ltriJnphs, free government-Northan and Sout
sn- fails. If on the other hand the GOVernn
son is successful--as | do not doubt, its destln
loh fixed, its basis permanent and enduring, anC
sfe career of honor and glory Just begun.
uoe great contest like this for the existence OF
ana Government, the path of duty is patriotism
mes principle. Minor considerations and quest
'ry of administrative policy should give way to
I y higher duty of first preserriHg the GOveTyD'
nus and then there will be time enough to wral
yei lover the men and measures pertaining to its
rder rTh; :; ,,t The honr for strife and diyi
the -. ,,,,rsal,ee Sncb d;eFerences of oni,
I. |. oi only encourage the enemy-prolong the wi
iitS' and waste the country. Unity of action
Pu- concentration of power should be our wat
axe q word and rallying cry. This accomplished,
10 non time will rapidly approach when their arr
heh in the field the great power of the Rebel
sec m - L-olo, s1d c,,,sbed Nv, o,,r Gallant
ben 80 - = bYa,7a Soldiers and orc LONG thew
that return to their homes and firesides to res
reed again the ayocations of peace, with the Pr
rus consciousness thatthey have aided in the d
i've work of re-establishing ON a surer and I
eun- permanent basis the great temple of Amer
- Freedom.
Hon / am, gentlemen,
enIS With sentiments Of hIOh regard. -s