Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-09-29
From the Pennsylvania.
Letter from James Buchanan

James Buchanan, in reply to an Invitation
on the part of the democratic citizens o
Berks county,to the Harvest Home, which
took place near Reading on Saturday last
It is production that speaks for ITSELF =.
Written on almost interesting subject, it will
command attention by the clearness and
power with which that subject is discuss.
ed "a subject, let us add, which has as.
sumed most serious, il not momentous
aspect:
WAsH1sGror, August 81; i847. II
GENTLEMEs:-I have been honored by
the receipt of your kind invitation to unite
with the democracy OF old Berks in their
Harvest Home celebration, to be held al
Reading on Saturday, the 98th instant. -
l should esteem it both pleasure and a
privilege to be present on that interesting
occasion; it is, therefore, with regret |
have to inform you that the public duties
during the present week will render this
impossible.
rejoice to observe that the glorious de-
mocracy of "Old Berks" are buckling on
their armor, and preparing for the ap-
preaching contest. 1t is long since any
State election has involved such important
consequences for the democracy of the u
Mon, as the approaching election for gov
ternor Of Pennsylvania. On its result may
probably depend the ascendency Of the de-
mocracy Of the Union for years to come.
Hence our democratic brethren Of other
States are witnessing the contest with in
tense anxiety. The field is fair one, our
candidate well-tried, able, and honest; and
he has been regularly nominated by the
party. Should he be defeated, the attempt
will be vain 10 explain the decision Of the
ballot boxes, in any other manner than by
admitting the wings have the majority
Our candidate for canal commissioner is
also above all reproach, both personally
and politically, and is eminently qualified
for the duties of that important office. If,
under such circumstances, the democratic
keystone should give way, there is great
danger that the arch may tumble into
pieces. In this contest, empbatically, he
that is not for us is against u.s. | do not
apprehend defeat, unless our willy foe
should first lull US into security by making
no extraordinary public efforts; and then,
at the eleventh hour, quietly steal march
upon us, as they have done in some other
States. Our vigilance ought to be con-
stantly on the alert, until the moment of
| victory.
The question of slavery, in one Of its
ancient aspects, has been recently revived,
and threatens to convulse the country
The democratic party of the Union ought
to prepare themselves in time for the ap-
preaching storm. Their best security, in
the hour Of danger, is to cling fast to their
time-honored principles. A SACRED re-
gard for the federal constitution, and for
the reserved right Of the States, is the i'm
movable basis on which the party can
alone safely rest. This has saved us from
the inroads Of abolition. Northern demo-
Gratis are not expected to approve slavery
in the abstract ; but they owe it to them.
selves, as they value the Union, and all the
political blessings which bountifully flow
from 1t, to abide by the compromises OF
| the constitution, and leave the question
where that instrument has left ito the
States wherein slavery exists. Our IA
| theirs have made this agreement with their
brethren of the south; and it is not for the
descendants OF either party, in the present
generation, to cancel this solemn compact
The abolilionists, by their efforts to annul
it, have arrested the natural progress of
emancipation, and done great injury to the
slaves themselves.
Alter Louisiana was acquired from
France by Mr.. Jefferson, and when the
State Of Missouri, which constituted a
part Of it, was about to be admitted into
the Union, the Missouri question arose,
and in its progress threatened the dissolu-
ton of the Union. This was settled by
the men oithe last generation, as other i'm
portant and dangerous questions have been
settled, in spirit of mutual concession.
Under the Missouri compromise, slavery
was forever prohibited north of the pa
rallel of SO deg. 80 min; and south of this
parallel the question was left TO be decid-
ed by the people. Congress, in admis-
sion CT Texas, following in the footsteps Of
their predecessors adopted the same rule;
and, i'll my opinion, the harmony of the
States, and even the security of the Union
itself, require that the line Of the Missouri
compromise should be extended to any
new territory which we may acquire from
Mexico ....
| should entertain the same opinion, ev-
EN- if it were certain that this would be-
come serious practical question; but that
it can never be thus considered, must be
evident to all who have attentively exa-
mined the subject.
Neither the soil, the climate, nor the
productions Of that portion Of California
south Of So deg. 30 min.-nor, indeed, of
any portion of it, north or south-is adap-
ted to slave labor; and, besides, every E,cil-
ity would be there afforded to the slave to as
cape from his master. Such property would
be utterly insecure in any part Of California.
1t is morally impossible, therefore, that a
majority of the ernigrants to that portion OF
the territory south of SO deg. 80 min.--
which will be chiefly composed of our fell
low citizens Fl ON the eastern, middle. and
| western States will ever re-establish
slavery within its limits. In regard ,o
Nou, NT,r,:.. o,et &c fbo P;o G..uJo a.,