Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-02-25
HON. JAMES BUCHANAN.

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" This distinguished gentleman recently paid visit
to the Hon. John Y. Mason, Of Richmond, Virginia
sad while there he was tendersd the compliment OF
public dinner, which he>declined., The following
is his letter in riply tothe citizens !. a.
!: > > =: 30 R,cHmoxD. Feb.-l2, 1884,
GENTLENRK: On my arrival in this city; last eve
ming. receivedsy your very kind letter welcoming me
- the Metropolis of 1he Old Dominion and rendering
- the honor of pu5le dinner. l legret, deeply
regret that my visit to Richmond will necessarily be
80 bsiet, canno; enjoy the plea and the prlvi
les Of meeting you all, at the festive board. In
tending merely to pass day with my valued friend
laaRe Mason, my previous arrangements are of such
character that must leave here Tomorrow, or at
latest, on Saturday morning, - .. -,
But while cannet accept the dinner, shall ever
esteem the invitation from 50 many of VirQinia's
most distinguished and esmab!e sons, as NE OF the
proude9l honars sot my life. Your ancient and
howssf comnonwesath has ever heea iihespecuiar
,guaydiaa Of State rights and the 6raTsdPporter of
constitutional liberty. Of law and Of oder.' Wien,
therefore, she endorses with her appreciation any of
my poor efforts 10 serve the country, her c0mmenda.
ton s guarantee that these have been devoted
10 righteous cause. -., -.,-
You are pleased to refer in favorable terms to my
recent conduct at home in defence of the federal
constitution and laws." This was an easy and agree
able task; because the people Of Pennsylvania have
ever been loyal and faithful to the Constitution,
the Union, and the rights Of the sovereign States Of
which it is composed, the people Of the ancient
course in my native State would therefore, have been
to resist the strong current of enlightened public
opinion. ::
purposely refrain from discussing the original
merit Of the Compromise, because l consider it, to
employ the expressive language Of the day, as as Fl.
naliIy,' fixed fact, most important enactment OF
law, the agitation disturbance of which could do
possible good, but might produce much positive
evil. Our noble vessel of State, freghed with the
hopes Of mankind, both for the present and future
generations, has passed through the most dangerous
breakers which she has ever encountered, and has
triOthPhantly ridden out the storm. Both those who
supported the measures of the Compromise as just
and necessary. and those who, regarding them in
different light, yet acquiesce in them for the sake Of
the Union, have arrived at the concusion-that
it must and shall be executed They have thus, for
every practical purpose adopted the same platform,
and have resolved to sustain it against the common
enemy. Why then should they wransle and divide
and waste their energies. not respecting the main
question, which has already been definitely settled,
but in regard the process which has brought them
though from different directions, to the same concu
sion? Above all, why shonld the strength Of the
Democratic party Of the country be impaired and it's
ascendency jeoparded for any such cause? We who
believe that the triumph Of Democratic principles is
essential not only to tho prosperity Of the Union, but
even the preservation of the Constitution, ought
recprocay to forget, and If need be to forgive the
past. and cordially unite with political brethren
in sustaining for the future the gaod old cause Of
Democracy. II must be source of deep and lasting
pleasure to every patriotic heart that beloved
country has SO happily passed through the late trying
and dangerous crisis. The volcano has been extin-
geishsd, trust, forever; and the who would ap-
ply 6rsbrand a, the present moment the coabus-
table materials which still remain, may produce an
eruption 10 overwhelm both the Constitution and the
Union.
With sentiments of high and grateful respect, l
remain your feow-ci,izen,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
SHELTON F. LEAKE, ESQ.,, and other gentlemen.