The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1845-08-09
MR. BuCnANAN's LETTER.

|
Hon. j. u,s BUCHANAN, his reply was AZ followf:
" AsuNGroE 3tst March, lei5
C,s,trnrS;-l have had the honor Of recciv.
mn your communication Of the 18th mat ccnsur.
ine line conduct both Of General Cameron and
o, those democratic members the Legislature
who. in union with the Wings and Native Amer.
leans. elected him to the Senate; and stating
iba, You deem /, proper TO afford me, az Pen
ns,lvapiap, an opportunity to express my opin.
ion concerning what you term "thIs unnatural
and unexpected result" Whilst entertaining
for you the most profound and grateful respect,
| have arrived al the confusion, after much re.
Election, that it would be improper for me, es-
pecay since have become member of Presl.
dent PoIk's cabinet, to criticise or condemn the
Legislature of sovereign State, for eIectlrg
whom they pleased to the u. s. Senate. Jesl-
! ousy of Federal interference and Federal ufiu
ence in State elections, ever has been, and
trust every may be, prevailing sentiment
throughout the Democratic party; and If, IN the
official position which now hold, were TO pass
sentence against those Democratic members
who voted for another Democrat, instead OF the
caucus nominee, might justly be asked, "who
made me ruler or Judge" in this matter
Theyare responsible 10 the sovereign people OF
their respective districts and counties. and IN
the hands of their constituents they shall be left,
so far as am concerned. Besides, might add,
that any interference on my part in this delicate
question would inevitably tend further TO dis.
tract and divide the Democratic of Pen.
nsyivania, at a moment when am mos, anxious
it should be united in supporting the National
and State administrations.
But whilst ain from discussing the con.
In-, r,p,no nohs fhn 1ptI nj
Democratic members of the Legislature during
the recent Senatorial election, | would do my.
self great injustice if, by my silence my opinion
in re gard TO the policy Of holding Legislative
cauCuses should be msconceived or misrep
resented Previous to the election both of
Doctor Sturgeon and General Cameron, had
uniformity expressed my sentiments in favor oil
such caucuses; and had even urged many friends
10 exert their influence with the Democratic
members 10 induce them to attend tho late eau
Gus. Indeed, am firmly convinced that this is
the best mode which experience has ever dis
covered of preventing individual preferences for
men from distractng and dividing the party,
and thus endangering the triumph Of the great
principles of Democracy. Bnt this result can
only be produced by the will of the sovereign
people themselves. Should the extraordinary
excitement which you inform me now exists IN
Pennsylvania, cause our Democratic fellow chi-
zens to decree that their Legislative servants
shall hereafter 60 into the caucus and be bound
by it's decision fairly made, this excitement will
then have resulted in great public benefit. But
there is no remedy for the past; and 1t is true
wisdom to submit to that which IS inevitable,
with the best grace we can--taklng care to
draw lessons from it for the regulation or our fu-
ture conduct.
Heartily respond to all your Communications
Of Judg Woodward. His private virtues ant
splendid talents will adorn any public station t
which he may be called.
/ With sincere regard for you, both individual
ly and as the representatives of an honest an
enlightened Democracy, to whose kindness
am Indebted, under Heaven,for any little publ
consideration ! may enjoy,
lremain your friend,
e JAMES BUCHANAN.