New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-18
Letter from nIr. Buchanan.

In reply to an inv itation of a large number
Of the citizens OF Richmond, Va, to partake OF a
Public Dinner, Mr.. Buchanan has written the fol
lowing letter:
RICHMOND, Thursday, Feb. IL, 1852.
GENTLEMEN: On my arrival IN TINS city, !ass even
ing, received your very kind letter welcoming me
10 the Metropolis of the Old Dominion, and tender
ing me the honor of public dinner. regret, deep
ly regret that my visit to Richmond Will necessarily
be so brief cannot enjoy the pleasure and the priv
lege OF meeting you ali at the festive board Intend
ing merely TO pass Gay Win my valued fIieh !,
Judge Mason, my previous arrangements are OF such
a character that must leave here tomorrow, or at
the latest on Saturday morning.
But while cannot accept the dinner, shall ever
esteem the invitation rom so many OF Nuglnias
most distinguished and estlmsbe sons as one OF the
pioudest honors Of my life. Your ancient and re-
nowled Common wealth has ever been the peculiar
constitutional liberty, Of law and Of order When.
therefore she Endorses with her appreciation any OF
my poor efforts TO serve the country, her commenda-
ton is sure guarantee that these have been de-
voted TO rghte ous cause.
You are pleased 70 refer in favorable terms to my
recent conoucs al home In defense OF the Federal
Constitution and laws" This was an easy and
agreeable task because the people Of Pennsylvania
have ever been as loyal and faithful TO the Conssu
ton, the Union, and the rights OF the sovereign
States Of which IL is composed the people OF the
ar Gent Dominion themselves TO have pursued 4
different course III my native state would, therefore,
nave OetH W iCs4St
public opinion.
1 purposely refrain from discussing the original
merit OF TIE Compromise, because | consider II. to
employ tho expressive language OF the day, as a
hnaliiy,' a fxod fact 2 most important enactment
OF law, The agitation or disturbance OF which could
do Lo possible gcoa, but might produce much post
tive evil Our roble vessel OF State, freighted with
the hopes OF mankind, both for the present aud fu
IVIe generations, has passed through the most dan
gefous breakeIs which she has ever encountered,
and has iiiumphspily ridden out the storm.
Both those who supported the measures OF the
compromise as just and necessary, and those "ho,
rse1cns them in different light. yet accuiesce IA
them Tor the sake OF the Union, have arrived az the
sane conclusionthat II mus. and shall be executed
Ihey have thus for every practical purpose, adopted
the same PLATFORM and have Iesol Ted TO sustain II
against the common enemy.
Why, then, should they wrsngle, and divide and
wsste Their energies, not respecting the main ques.
ton, which has already been definitely settled, but
in regard to the process which has brought them,
though from different directions to the same concu.
sicn Above ALL why should the strength of the
Democratic party ofthe country be impaired, and It's
ascendency jeopuded for any such cause
Wewho believe that the triumph of Democratic
principles is essential not only the prosperity of
the Union but TO the preservation Of the Con-
s,ituuon ought rec,procnlly TO forget, and If nesd