WASHINGTON, May 30, 1860.
Gentlemen, —
Your official communication of the 18th inst., informing me that the
representatives of the Republican party of the United States, assembled at
Chicago on that day, had by unanimous vote selected me as their candidate for
the office of Vice-President of the United States, has been received, together
with the resolutions adopted by the convention as its declaration of
principles. These resolutions enunciate clearly and forcibly the principles
which unite us, and the objects proposed to be accomplished. They address
themselves to all, and there is neither necessity nor propriety in entering
upon a discussion of any of them. They have the approval of my judgment, and in
any action of mine will be faithfully and cordially sustained. I am profoundly
grateful to those with whom it is my pride to cooperate for the nomination so
unexpectedly conferred. And I desire to tender through you to the members of
the convention my sincere thanks for the confidence thus reposed in me. Should
the nomination which I now accept be ratified by the people, and the duties
devolved on me of presiding over the Senate of the United States, it will be my
earnest endeavor faithfully to discharge them with a just regard for the rights
of all.
It is to be observed in connection with the doings of the
Republican convention, that the paramount object with us is to preserve the
normal conditions of our territorial domains as homes for freemen. The able
advocate and defender of Republican principles whom you have named for the highest
place that can gratify the ambition of man comes from a State which has been
made what it is by the special action in that respect by the wise and good men
who founded our institutions. The rights of free labor have been there
vindicated and maintained. The thrift and enterprise which so distinguish
Illinois, one of the most flourishing States of the glorious West, we would see
secured to all the territories of the Union, and restore peace and harmony to
the whole country by bringing back the government to what it was under the wise
and patriotic men who created it. If the Republicans shall succeed in that
object, as they hope to, they will be held in grateful remembrance by the busy
and teeming millions of the future ages.
I am, very truly
yours,
H. Hamlin.
To the Hon. George
Ashmun,
President of the Convention, and others of the Committee.
SOURCE: Charles Eugene Hamlin, The Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin, p. 351; David W. Bartlett, The
Life and Public Services of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, p. 356-7
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