The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-16

10 the truth and justice oil the onohs exPfesSeu oy MI
Buchanan in his Missouri Compromise letter, have
attacked hr motives and his consistency Such attacks
are wholly unfounded Indeed, Mr. Buchanan's course,
ever since he entered the Senate Of the United States IN
December, 1884, had identified him to such extent
with the southern opposition to abolition that he would
have found it necessary, in sef-defence even If he had
not been actuated by higher motives to arrest, if pos
sible, the progress of the Wilmot Proviso,
Mr. Buchanan did not even fater the great ques'
on of prohibiting the transmission of ncendary publica
hons through the mails which decided against the
south on the sth of June 1896 He the only north
en senator who took leading and active part in the
debate against Mr. Webster that interesting occasion
On the ayes and noes his is recorded IN favor OF
the passage of the BILL with that of the lamened Wright
Mr. Buchanan did not merely avow and defend these
opinions in the Senate, but carried them into the elections
in his own State. On the 18th August, 1888, before
democratic meeting in the city OF Lancaster, he made the
remarks on the subject of abolition which we re-
publish from the Globe of the 3oh August, 1888. The
result was that on the second Tuesday of October 1885,
Joseph Rner then the wing and anti-masonic governor
Of Pennsylvania, was defeated by large majority; and
since that time there has been less abolition in Pennsy
yania than in any other northern State:
Mr. BUCHANAN said there subject of vital mpor
lance peace and pepetuy Of the Union, which had
not % o" 81 make e 81 pop IL e
ierred to abolition Was Joseph Ritner an abotonst !!
friend to existence glorious Union ought vote
in OF his election governor He confessed he had
denied this charge lie would do him the justice shy,
that he had heard OF his denying it himself On the
ETY. OF Pittsbug, he had boldly and manfully rearmed
doctrines this subject contained in his message OF
1886 If this therefore; proves him TO be abo-
tioni
1885, afterwards to contend that he had not fairly
ened himself in true abolition colors whilst he was can
In order understand and Justly appreciate the abolition
doctrines of the governors message Of 1886, will be
cessary take hasty review OF the which produced
their open and solemn ayowal: Upon examinations, this
had sustained session Of Congress Immediately pre-
cedng ssage and the necessity that the governor of
Pennsylvania should the OF his associates
Before the spirit of abolition had been conjured from
its dark abode by political fanatics and hot headed enthu
sasts all comparatively peaceful and tranquil in the
southern States Slavery had unfortunately in
oduced into those States by British It was
there at adoption OF the federal constitutions and this
constitution did merely leave there, but il expressly
guaranteed the savehoding States their property in
slaves and the exclusive dominion over the question OF
slavery within their respective borders Such is the clear
language the constitution itself and such was the
icton which the first Congress placed upon it, Without
this solemn constitutional compact, the southern States
never would have become parties to the Union and the
blessings and benefits which it has conferred, and will
fer not only upon country, but the whole human
race would have been realized Those in the free
States who determine violate this compact must deter
mine dissolve the Union The one is necessary con-
sequence of the other;
The southern people, before abolition commenced, re-
posing their constitutional rights had much, very much
ameoraed the condition OF their slaves Education, and
particularly religious education, becoming common
amongst them In several Of the Sates the question OF
gradual emancipation had begun to be freely discussed
This question had been seriously debated in Mary
land, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri; and the doctrine
had found numerous and talented advocates among the
most distinguished men of these States In Virginia, the
of the friends of gradual emancipation had been
raised w s sn a bs and
powerful commonwealth might have followed the exam
pie pennsyivana and have become free state
and has postponed for long period not c the the
fist nature, and the fear Of serve nsurecton with
all its attendant horrors, have compelled the master TO
bis S sound me o@ ee
the in any of the southern States No man could be
found there a, the present moment snisien noa n
Such have been the dire effects of abolition upon the
poor slaves Themselves.
the session of lS356th session which Immediately
preceded Gov Rners message the question OF abolition
had occupied much Of the time and attention of Congress
tons for the abolition OF slavery the District OF Columbia
got up and circulated by the an-snvery societies. poured
into Congress from the free States This the only mode
in which the abotonsts could agitate the question in
Congress; because anatic to Mr. BIS knowledge, had
then been mad contend that Congress had any
power over slavery within the slave States themselves
Petitions abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
the aboitionists expected accomplish their purposes
Thronghout the spring, summer, ana autumn Of 1885,
only by agitation in the north but by scattering over the
SOUTH, through the oiice and by travelling agents. the
himself many Of them Their natural tendency
produce dissatisfaction and revolt among the slaves, and
nce their wild passions to vengeance servile insur
ection wod present OF horrors which he should
not attempt to depict twoud spare neither age
What agony of mind have been suffered especially
by gentler SEX during this period of alarm! Many
mother clasped her infant to her bosom when she retired
rest under dreadful apprehensions that she might be
aroused from her mbers by the yels OF the slaves
by whom she surrounded. These the works Of
the abotonsts. The motives OF many OF them may have
been honest but their zeal was without knowledge The
history mankind affords instances OF ignorant
enthusiasts the purity Of whose intentions could be
doubted who have spread devastation and boodsed
the of the earth, This abuse of the post office had
become so alarming, that General Jackson in eloquent
indignant languages called the special attention of Congress
it in his message of December, 1885, and recommended
aemcdy. "In connexon, said he with these provisions
your attention to the painful excitement produced in the
south, by attempts to circulate through the mails inam
maory appeals to the slaves and in various sorts of pub
LEGATIONS calculated stimulate them Instruction. and
10 produce all the horrors of n servile war"
Under the influence of the feelings excited by these
causes the southern members OF Congress reached Wash
ngon in December 1885 MANY of them, with and
anguish heart declared il the southern States could
remain in the Union without having their domestic
peace continually disturbed by the attempts of the abo
tonss the great law of seEpreservaton would compel
mem to separate from their brethren OF the north Imme
diacy alter the commencement session, and
out It's continuance, the aboonsts upon their
Jec sent immense numbers of petitions Congress for the
abolition OF slavery In the District Of Columbia couched in
What did they ask That in that district of ten miles
square, coded 10 Congress by avehodnp States and
surrounded by them, slavery should be abolished What
would have resulted from granting their renuas,a Vo,,
would thus have established citadel in The very heart nj
hese states upon territory which they had granted to
you Tor lar different purpose from which abotionss
could securely attack the peace and safe
VOL their citizens The District would have become city
OF refuge within the slaveboldng States far slaves