Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-07-29
Letter from Andrew johnson.
HE ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION OF THE
VICE PRESIDENCY.
NAsnvlLLE, Tenn. July Q. 1864

Hon. WILLIAM DENN1sOE, Chairman and Others,
Committee ofHe Union National Contention:
GgNTLBMRN Your communication of the 9th
ut,, informing me of my nomination for the
Vice Presidency of the United States by the
Naiionul Convention held at Baltimore, and in-
closing copy of the resolutions adopted by that
body, was not received until the 9th ult
A reply on my part had been previously made
to the action of the Convention in presenting nv
name, in n speech delivered in this city on the
evening succeeding the day of the adjournment
Of the Convention, in which l indicated my nc
ceptauce of the distinguished honor conferred
by that body, aud defined the grounds upon
which that acceptance was based, substantially
saying what now have TO say. From the com
ments made upon that speech by the various
presses of The country to which my attention has
been directed considered it to be regarded as
n full acceptance.
10 view, however, Of the desire expressed in
your communication, | will more fully alude to
n few points TINT have been heretofore present.
ed
My opinions on the leading questions at pre-
sent ngitating and dislracring the public mind
aud especially in reference TO the Rebellion now
being wAged against the Government aud RuthO-
rity of tho United States, presume are gener-
ally understood.
Before the Southern people assumed bellig-
erent attitude (ani repeatedly sinoe) | took oc-
cas0n most frankly TO declare the views then
entertained in relation TO the wicked purposes of
the Southern politicians. They have since IN
dergOue but little, il any, change. Time and
subsequent events have rather confirmed thaA
diminished my confidence in their correctness
AT the beginning of this struggle entertained
the same opinion Of II that do now, and n my
place in the Senate / denounced it as treason,
worthy the punishment of death, and warned the
Government and people of the impending dan
ger. Bat my voice was not heard or counsel
needed until il was TOO late TO avert the Storm
1t still continued to gather over us without mo.
lestatiun from the authorities at Washington, un-
til at length it broke with all its fury upon the
country. And now, if we would save the Gov
ernmsnt from being overwhelmed by 1t we must
meet it in tho true spirit of patriotism, and bring
traitors to the punishment due their crime, and
Ivy force of arms crush out and subdue the last
vestige Of Rebel authority in every State. | felt
then Gs now. that the destruction of the Govern
ment was deliberately determined upon by wick
ed and designing conspirators whose lives and
fortune were pledged to carry it out, and that no
compromise, short Of au unconditional recOgni-
ton of the independence of the Southern States
could have been, or could now be proposed,
which they would accept. The clamOr for
''Southern rights" az the Rebel journals were
pleased TO designate their rallyiag cry, was not
TO secure their assumed rights in the Union and
under tho Constitution, but to disrupt the Gov
eminent and establish an independent organiza-
tion, based upon slavery, which they could at oil
times control.
The separation of the Government has for years
past been the cherished purpose of the Southern
leaders. Dailled in 1882, by the stern, patriotic
heroism of Andrew jackson, they sullenly acqui-
esced, only to mature their diabolical schemes,
aud await the recurrence of a more favorable
opportunity TO execute them. Then the pretext
al - E.sl . H1.tss
scheme of notification and disunion, with pro-
phelic perspicuity warned the country against
the renewal Of their efforts to dismember the
Government.
10 a letter, dated May ! 1888, to the Rev.
A. j. Crawford, after demonstrating the heart
less insincerity of the Southern nullider5, he
said
"Thcreforo theSariif was only pretext, and
1isunion aud Southern Confederacy the real
object The next pretext will be the negro or
slavery question"
Time has fully verified this prediction, and we
have now not only the negro or slavery question
as tho pTctext, but the real cause Of the Rebel
lun, and both must 60 down together. 1t is vain
TO attempt to reconstruct the Union with the dis
trac,ing element of slavery in it. Experience
has demonstrated its incompatibiity with free
aud republican government, and it would be un
wise aud unjust longer to continue it as one Of
/
manned subOrdunte to the Constitution aud laws
of the United States, yielded to it my support,
but when it hCcame rebellious and attempted to
rise above the Government and control It's action
threw my humble influence against it.
The authority of the Government is supreme,
and will admit of no rivalry. No institution
can rise above it, whether it be Slavery or any
other organized power. In our happy form Of
government all must be subordinate to the will
ol the people, when reflected through the Con-
sttutiOn and laws made pursuant thereto
State or Federal, This great principle lies at
the foundation of every govePnment, aud cannot
be disregarded without the destruction Of the
government itself. In the support and practice
Of correct principles we can never reach wrong
results; aud by rigdly adhefing 10 this funda-
mental truth, the end win be the preservation Of
the uAIon, and the overthrow Of on institution
which hos made BaF upon, and attempted the
destiucton of the Government itself.
The mode BY which this great change-the
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