The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-04
iAoh' James Buchanan's Letter 10 Infuen.
tial Democrats OF Baltimore.
WhEATLAND, NEAR LANCASTER,

February 80 1852.
| NENTLEMEN: In returning home through your
city on Saturday last, had the unexpected honor
OF receiving your kind invitation to partake of a
Puplc dinner at such time as might best suit my
own convenience. For this distinguished and
valued token OF your regard please to accept my
most grateful acknowledging land, whilst re-
| GREETING that circumstances which it will be too
tedious to explain, will deprive me of the pleasure
OF meeting you at the festive board, you may rest
INSURED 'nat shall ever highly prize the favorable
opinions you express of my poor public services
10 the city OF BaltmoreI have ever been attach
cd by strong ties. In early life had selected it as
the place where to practice my profession; and no
thing prevented me from carrying this purpose
ihto erect put my lnvncible reluctance, at the last
moment to leave my native State. The feeling
which prompted me in 1914, during the last war
win Ereat Britain, TO march a private to Balti
mora circumstance to which you kindly al
iuue-resulted from patriotism 80 universal
'nrouRnout pennsylvania, that the honor which
may fall to the lot of any one of the Thousands Of
my leilow-clzens who volunteered their services
on that trying occasion scarcely deserves to be
mentioned. ~
So. II rightly read "the signs of the tnes," there
mas seldom been period when the Democratic
parry ol Tue country, TO which you and are warm.
a''acneo' was IN greater danger OF suffering
oelea' ,fiah al TIE present moment. in order to
ave'' I'M, ms Catastrophe, must mutually forget
~ ioiy we past dissensons, suffer "bygones to
gones, and commence a new career, keep
ag constantly in view the ancient and long estab-
llshed landmarks Of the party. Most, If not all,
the great questions OF policy which formerly dvi-
dod us from our political opponents have been set
tied IN our favor. No person at this day thinks of
reestablishing another national bank, repeating
the independent treasury, or distributing the pro-
ceeds OF the public lands among the several States,
or aboiishing the veto power. On these great and
q mt nnn a
violent struggle have yielded and for the present
at least would seem to stand upon the Democratic
platform The Compromise measures now
"hnnEty''-those who opposed them honestly and
powerfully, and who still believe them to be wrong,
having periodically determined to acquesce IN
them for the sake OF the Union, provided they shall
be faithfully carried into execution.
On what Issues then, can we go before the coun
try and confidently calculate upon the support of
the American people at the approaching Presi.
Dental election? | answer, unhcsitatngiy, that
we must fall back, as you suggest, upon those fun
damental and time. honured principles which have
divided us from our political opponents since the
beginning, and which, from the very nature of the
Federal Constitution, must continue 10 divide
from hem until the end. We must inscrbe upon
our banners sound regard for the reserved rights
OF the States, strict construction of the Constitu
ton, denial 20 Congress of all powers not clearly
granted by that instrument and rigid economy
In public expenditures
These expenditures have now reached the enor-
nous sum Of fifty millions of dollars per annum,
and, unless arrested in their advance by the strong
arm OF the Democracy OF the country, may, in the
course OF a few years, reach one hundred millions
The appropriation of money 10 accomplish great
national objects sanctioned by the Constitution
ought to be a scale commensurate with our
power and resources as a nation; but its eXpendi.
ture ought 10 be conducted under the guidance of
enlightened economy and strict responsibility.
am convinced that our expenses might be con
siderably reduced below the present standard not
"a dat emf hints nftsFan
tage both TO The Government aud the people
An excessive and lavish expenditure of public
money, though in itsef highly pornicious, is as
nothing when compared with the disastrous in
huence II may exert upon the character Of our free
institutions. strong tendency towards extrsva-
gance is the great political evil OF the present day;
aud this ought 10 be firmly resisted Congress 10
now incessantly importuned from every quarter
to make appropriations for all sorts OF projects.
Money, money from the national treasury, is con-
sinntly demanded TO enrich contractors. specu-
lators, and agents; and these projects rilded
over with every alurement which can be impaired
- them by ingenuity and talent Claims which
had been condemned by former decisions, and had
become rusty with age, have been again revived,
and have been paid, principal and interest. In.
deed, there seems 10 be general rush 10 obtain
money from the treasury, on any and every pre-
tcnce.
What will be the inevitable consequence Of such
lavish expenditures, Are they not calculated 10
disturb the nicely adjusted balance between tho
fedcrhl ana STATE governments, upon the prescfva-
tiun Of which depend the harmony and efficiency
Of our system; Greedy e1pectants from the fcde.
raj treasury will regard with indifference, IL not
with contempt, the governments Of the several
States The doctrine II State lights will be laughed
20 scorn by such individuals an obsolete nbstrac-
tion unworthy Of the enlightened spirit Of the age.
The corruptng power ofmoncy will be felt Through.
ont the length and breadth Of the land; and the
Democracy, led on by the hero and cage Of the
Hermitage, will have In vain put down the Bank Of
the United siatcs, II tho same fatal influence for
which II was condemned shall be c1crtcd and fos-
tered by means drawn from The pubic treasury.
To be liberal with their own money, bot spafing
OF that Of the republic, the glory Of distin-
guishcc public servants among the ancient RO-
mans When this maxim was reversed, and the |
public money was employed by artful and smb- |
GUS dernagorucs to secure their own nggrandize-
ment, genuine liberty soOn expired II is true that
tho forms ~ the republic continued f1r many years
but the anrnating and inspiring soul had fed for.
ever. entertain no serious apprehensions that We
shall ever reach this point, yet We may sti profit
by their example
With sentiments Of tho highest respect, I remain
your friend and fellow citizen,
JAMES BUCHANAN
John Nelson, William p Gice John o Wharton
John Morris, Carroll Spence, William p. Poudor, !
and John a. Bowen, osqs., and others.
HARPEas' Nrw MoSrHLv MAoAzrse- We have
received from Mr.. SHfLLfNoToS, corner Of Pcnnsy.
yania avenue md -Four nd street, the March