New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-04-22
Letter from James Buchanan.

Messrs r. g. Scott, c. S. Morgan and Thomas
f Jeter, lately invited Hon James Buchanan to
address the Central Southern Rights Association
of Virginia. at Richmond They extended him
this invitation because they understood that ne
entertained the most profound love and admira'
ton for the Constitution Of the United States as
il was written and understood by the patriots and
sages who adopted it, Mr.. B. DECLINES the pro-
posed honor but sends the Association the fol-
lowing letter. n,o,..,
WHEATLAND, (Desr LaHcasier) April TO- 1851.
Ny DEAR SIRs have received your Kind letter OF lae
Cd instant witt tte Resolutions adopted by The Central
Southern Rights Association Of Virginia, Inviting me to
address the Association at such time as may suit y CON
veDience and 10 counsel win Them IN regard 10 lie besl
means be adopted the present alarming crisis Tor the
maintenance OF the Constitution aRd the UnlOn OF The
States in their original purify.
should esteem both nigh honor and great P'lv.-
lege comply with this request and therefore regret 10
ssy that engsgements-which need not specif5-rencef
itimpossibe Tor II TO wish Richmond during Tue preseat
OF possibly the EXT month.
The association do me no more than justice wnen at,
tribung 10 NE strong desife Tor Tue h4i25nance OF
the constitution and The union OF the sac n tllr on
einal purity Whilst few meu Ia this country would
venture O different sentiment We! The question
sill remains, By Whet means can This aillmp Tsnt pur
pore be bett accomplished feel no hesitation In
answering. BY return to tue Old Virginia platform OF
State rights, presented by the resolutions " 1898 and
1892 and M. Madisons report The powers Conferred
by The constitution upon tse general government must be
construed Iriclly ard Congress must absts1 from tbs
exercise OF oil dou5ful powers Bat II said these are
mere unmesEng sbstsc'ions; aud they are, uo,5ss
honestly carried toto practice. Like The Chn4ns faith
however when II is genuine good works will inevitably
flow from sincere lief IN sucb strict cOnsu ton OF
the constitution Were his old republican principle adopted
in practice. should longer witness unwansuls6e
dangerous attempts 10 Congress to interfere with the
Institution OF domestic slavery, which belongs exclusive
" 10 the States where it exists There would be Efforts
TO establish high protective tariffs; the public money
would moi be squancered upon grand syHem of inter.
nal Improvement general 10 name, partial 10 t7 very
and corrupDg In its tendency, boh to The
10 pc
present exuavagsnt expenditures pay national debt
ard return to the practise Of wite economy 40 essen
tal both TO public private prosperity. We're per
mtted address your association these are lhe coun'es
should give aud some Of the topics should disusS as
the best means for the maintenance both OF the const
luton and the union Of The States In their Original pun.
y" and for the perpeiuaton Of our great and glorious
confederscy.
With sentiments Of high regard, remain yours very rs'pset
fully, JAMES BUCHANAN
Roman scorT M0RGAN and Tnos z. JEreE Comm tee
Of the Central Southern Rights Association OF Virginia.