The organizer., 1850-12-14
Letter Of Hon. James Buchanan.


The following extracts are taken
from letter recently written by Hon.
James Buchanan, late Secretary Ol
State, in answer to an invitation to
attend Public meeting held in Phil
adelphia, on the 2lst uIt. Although
not agreeing with Mr. Buchanan in
all the views contained in his letter,
we believe he draws An honest an
faithful picture of The slavery agila>
tion.
The signs of the times are truly porten-
Ious.-Whilst many in the South openly
advocate the cause Of secession and disun'
ion, largo majority, as firmly believe,
still fondly cling to the Union, awaiting
with deep anxiety the action of the North
on the Compromise lately effected in Con-
grsss. Should this be disregarded and
nulli6ed by the citizens Of the North, the
SoulhFen people inny become united and
then farewell 10 our blessed Union. am
Uoalarmist; but a brave and wise man
looks danger steadily in thefacA. This is
the best means ofavoiding il. ] am deeply
impressed with the conviction that the
=. North neither sufficiently understands nor.
appreciates the danger. For my own part
have been steadily watchingits approach
for the last fifteen years. During that PEI.
riOd have often sounded the alarm; but
my feeble warnings have been disregard
ed. now solemnly declare, as the de-
lberate conviction Of my judgement, thai
two things are Necessary to preserve this
Union from the most imminent danger!-
/. Agitation in the North on the sub
ject Of Southern slavery must be rebuked
and put down by strong energetic, and
enlightened public opinion.
2, The fugitive slave law mu be ex-
ecuted in its letter and in its spirit.
On each Of these points shall offer
few observations.
Those are greatly mistaken who sup.
pose that the tempest which is now raging
in the South has been raised solely by the |
acts or omissions OF the present Congress
The minds Of the Southern people haze |
been gradually prepared for this explosion
by the events oi the last fifteen years. |
Much and devoted as they love the union
maay Of them are now taught 10 believe
that the peace Of their own fresides, and
the security Of their families, cannot be
preserved without separation from US;
The crusade of the abplitionists against
their domestic peace and security commen.
ced In 1885. General Jackson in his an.
nual message to Congress, in December
Of that year. speaks OF it in the follow.
ing emphatic language: ~ must also
invite your attention 10 the painful excite.
ment produced Ia the South by attempts TO
circulate through the mails, inhamatory
appeals, addressed 10 the passions Of the
slaves in prints and various sorts Of pub.
LEGATIONS .calculRsd 10 stimulate them to
inuurrectiOp, and produce all the horrors Of
a servile war" ,,.t tra f.-..-
From that period the agitation in the
North against Southern slavery has been
incessanl, by means Of the Press, Of State
Legislatures, State aud County Conven-
lions, Abolition Lectures, and every other
rnetbod which fanatics and demhgogues
could devise. Theitime OF C6fefess has
heea wssted in violsnt harSneass on the
subject Of slavery. lnfiammatory appeals
have been sestforth 6Omthltssnftal point
ihrooEhuut the cOunify. aho0 iuevitabls
effect Of which has been to create geo.
graphical parties, 80 much dreaded BY the
the Father Of his Country, sand 20 estFanQe
the Northern and southern divisions Of the
Union from each O;ker. ...rn- n.
Before the Wilmot proviso was inter-
posed. the abolition Of slavery 10 the Dis
tfict 81 Columbia had been the chief
theme Of agitation. Petitions fot The Pur.
pose. By thousands, from men, women and
children. poured into Oongress session
aher sessi0a. TIE rights end wishes Of
che owners 81 slaves witkin the Districi
were boldly disregarded. Slavery was
as q national sin and a national
disefaos. ubich he laws of CD and the
laws q nan ought 70 abolish, e0a What b