Year: 1860

WASHINGTON, June 80, 1860.


SIR-I have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt oil
the communication you make In behalf OF the Democrat
c National Convention in which you inform me that on
the e3d instant unanimously nominated by that
bodv s the candidate Of the Democratic party for the Of
ee of Vice President of the United States with the re-
quest that shall accept the nomination.


The platform adopted, and of which you enclose me
COPY meets with my hearty approval, as IL embodes
what have been contending for the only means oi
stopping sectional agitation, by securing to all equality
and constitutional rights the denial of which has led to
the present unhappy condi ION oi pubic Affairs.


Compromises of constitutional principles ever dan-
eerous, aud am rjoeed that the true democracy has
seen t 10 plant firm foot the rock Of truth, and to
give the people opportunity 10 vndcae their love OF
Justice and fra,ernal regard for each Others rights.


Non-ntervention the subject of slavery may EN-
phaticay say is the cardinal maxim Of the democracy
non-interventon by Congress and nonnteryention by
territorial legislatures is fully stated in the first reso-
luton of the adopted platform. In vain should we de-
clare the former without insisting upon the latter be-
cause TO permit territorial legislatures TO prohibit
tabsh slavery by nnriendy legislation TO nvalidate
property would be granting powers to the creature or
agent which, il is admitted do rot appertain to the
principal the power that creates besides which it
would be fostering element Of agitation in The terri
that must necessarily extend TO Congress and the
people Of all the Staiea-


II the constitution establishes the right OF every cti
zen to enter the territory with whatever proper
ty he legally possesses II necessarily 1evolges on the
federal government the duty TO protect this right oil tue
citizen whenever or wherever assaied nnged. The
democratic party honorably meets this agaiing ques-
ton which is threatening 10 and destroy this bro
therhood of States 1t does not propose to tgate Tor
the extension Of slavery for its restriction, but 10
give TO each State and every citizen all that our fore
fathers proposed give namely the perfect equality Of
rights and then commit to the people, to climate and
to SOIL the determination the kind Of Institutions
best fitted to their requirements in their constitutional
limits and declaring, fundamental maxim, that the
people Of territory only establish prohibit slave
~ when they come to form constitution, preparatory
to their admission as n State into the Union.


II, happily, our principles shall prevail, an era OF
peace and harmony will be restored to distracted
country, and no more shall We be troubled with the ag
taon OF this dangerous question, because it will be re-
moved as well from the territorial Legislatures from
the halls Of Congress-when shall be free to turn
attention to useful issues promoye Of our growth
in national greatness.


Our Union must be preserved But this can only be
done by maintaining the constitution invioate in oil Its
provisions and guarantees The Judicial author J, as
provided by the constitution, must be sustained and its
decisions implicit ly obeyed well in regard to the
rights of property in the Territories in all other mat
ters.


Hoping for success and trusting in the truth and Jus
tce Of the principles OF our party, and In that Divine
Providence that has ched u.s. and made US one
of the great nations of the EARTH and that may
tnue TO merit Divine protection, cheerfuy accept the
nomination so unanimously conferred on me, and cord
ally endorse the platform adopted by the Convention.


have the honor to be, sir, With much respect your
friend and obedient servant.


JOSEPH LANE.