Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-07-28
Letter from Hon. James Buchanan


We are indebted Csays the Washington
Uzion) to the editor Of the Harrisburg Dem
ocratic Union for a proof-sheet Of the following
mastcrly letter Of the Hon. James Buchanan.
Before the Baltimore Convention met Mr.
Buchanan received letter from large num-
Der Of democrats in Bradford county, Penn
sylvania, earnestly advocating his nomination
for the Presidency, and inviting him to pay
them visitin the course Of the canvass He
deferred answering it until the Convention
had decided who we're to be our standard-bear-
ers, and we now subjoin his letter in reply.
II is an eloquent. forcible, and dignifed argu-
ment in favor Of Pierce aud King, and will be
read BY thousands with heartfelt qualification
and pride. As an invocation to the perform.
ance Of duty, a tribute to the high merits Of
our candidates, or as an argument in favor Of
restoring the ascendency Of democratic princi-
pies in the federal government, it cannot be
too highly commended:
WHEATLAND, (near Lancaster)
June "a, 1852
GENTLEMEN I have delayed, on purpose
to answer your kind communication Of the
20th ultimo, until the result Of the Baltimore
Convention should ~ known. With every
feeling Of a grateful heart, 7 thank The intelli-
gent and faithful democracy Of Springfield
township for their favorable opinion, and for
the earnest and friendly hope expressed BY
them, that the democracy Of the Union
would respond to the wishes Of Pennsylvania
in the National Convention" In this hope
they have been disappointed, but yet all Of
Us have much reason to be satisfied with the
nomination Of Franklin Pierce and William
r. King. They are sound. radical, State
rights democrats, who will employ their best
efforts to expel from The balls Of Congress
and the purlieus Of the treasury the hosts Of
stock.iobbers, contractors and spectators by
which they are now infested, and to restore
the purity, simplicity and economy Of former
times in the administration Of the government
know them well, having served in the SEN
ate with both for several years, at a most cri-
teal important period Of our political history;
and I speak with knowledge when | say they
are the very men for the times. Public eco
nomy, reform, and strict construction Of the
Constitution, according to the Virginia and
Kentucky resolutions Of 1913 and 1799,
ought to be watchwords Of the democratic
party throughout the pending contest; and
Pierce and King win prove to be the able and
faithful representatives Of these great princi-
pies.
Gen. Pierce first entered the Senate Of the
United States on the 4th Of March, 1887,
and continued to be a member until the 2Sth
day Of February, 1s42, when he resigned.
The period embraces the whole Of Van
Buren's administration and the first year Of
that Of Gen. Hsrrison and Mr. Tyler. He
had previously served as member Of the
House Of Representatives from December,
1883, until the 4th Of March, 1887, through
out Gen. Jackson's second term Of Office.
When Gen. Pierce first made his appear
ance IN the Senate. he was one Of the young
est, if not the very youngest, Of its members.
Modest and unassuning in his department,
but firm and determined in bis principles and
purposes, It was not long before he acquired
the respect and esteem Of his brother senator's.
From deep conviction, he was State rights
democrat-sound, unwayering, inhexible; and
/ venture to predict that when his votes shah
be scrutinized and tested BY the touehsionc Of
democratic principles, they viii present as
fair a record as those even Of the lamenied
Wright himself His innate modesty and
comparative youth prevented him from ad-
dressing the Senate very frequently and yet
I well recollect some of his efforts watch
would have done no discredit to The oldest
and abless members Of the body, then in its