The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-01

.ss6ass From the washington Union, August 81, Isi7.
Ths wIimot Provi.o.
OF all the letters which have been called forth by re-
cent events, regard the following production OF Mr.
Buehanan's pen the most important Ii is written
with the distinguished authors usual elearness and oree
and is marked by that high moral courage which The
occasion demands Mr. Buchanan has moi hesitated TO
step boldly the field once to declare his sentiments
freely on the exciting topic of the day, and to discharge
great duty al critical period OF public affairs.
Never were more proper words uttered at a more
proper time He forward in the spirit of union
the spirit OF Cancellation, in the spirit OF compromise, TO
pour oil upon The troubled And what patriot will
not thank hun for the effort he has made the courage he
has exhibited the advice which he gives TO his country
men He is opposed to the Wimot proviso and he is
right lie goes for the Missouri compromise TO settle the
agita,ing question and he is right He throws himself
into the breach and il is impossible that his country
hear his warning voice without respect and without the
sinceres gratitude. II OF great satisfaction
us that we agree in opinion with politician dstn-
guished, and whose opinion is so much entitled TO the
respect Of his counymen. But he stands upon the firm
foundation OF "truth," and let the rage they
may upon that house, it win stand. for is built upon
rock. But these storms cannot long endure Many OF
those OF political brethren who may have expressed
different opinion will indulge the sober second thought
revise their judgment, and reverse their opinion Mr.
Buchanan speaks in the spirit. He speaks in the
onthis compact between the slayeholdng and
non saveholding States He speaks in that spirit of
promise which prevailed the desnies OF Missouri
and OF Texas He speaks in that spirit which will bind
together this holy Unop which every American is de-
voted by the strongest ties Of feeling well Of interest
1t required powerful voice TO arouse the people
and we are happy TO hear that voice speak, and in the
tone of Cancellation and of wisdom We recommend its
suggestions to the attention Of all readers. laa
y
ra4 From the Pennsylvania, August -.
LETTER FROM HON JAMES BUCHANAN.
We are indebted TO friend for copy Of the following
letter. sent by the Hon. James Buchanan, in reply to an
Invitation on the part OF the democratic citizens oil Berks
county 10 the Harvest Home, which took place near
Reading Saturday last Its production that speaks
for itself Written most Interesting subject, II will
command attention by the clearness and power with
which that subject is dscussed-a subject let us add,
which has assumed most serious, ii not momentous
aspect: 90 gaa aafa
VIZ WASHINGTON, August IS, 1S47.
GENTLEMEN | have been honored by the receipt Of
your kind invitation TO unite with the democracy OF Old
Berks in their Harvest Home celebration, to be held at
Reading on Saturday, the 2Sth instant should esteem
interesting occasion il is therefore, with regret have
10 inform you that my public duties during The present
week will render this Impossible. stua
Ireoice to observe that the glorious democracy OF cold
Berks are bucklng their and preparing Tor the
approaching contest II is long since any State election
involved such important consequences for the democ
racy oil Inc Union as
ernor OF Pennsylvania On its result may probably de-
pend the ascendency OF the democracy of the Union for
years to come Hence democratic brethren of other
States witnessing the contest with intense anxiety
The field is fair one our candidate we-,fied, able
honest and he has been regularly nominated by the
party Should he be defeated, the attempt will be vain
10 explain the decision OF the ballot boxes in any other
than by admitting That the wings have the
jony. tFsy + IL a1ss ssf# VI .ssl ee,
Our candidate for canal commissioner is also above all
reproach both personally and politically and is eminent
az
der such CIRCUMSTANCES the democratic Keystone should
give away. there is great danger that the arch may um
BILE into pieces. In this contest, empha!cay, he that is
not for us is against u.s. do not apprehend defeat
less willy foe should first ul into security by
king no extraordinary public Efforts and then, at the
eleventh hour, quietly steal march upon us, they
have done in other States Our vigilance ought 10
be constantly the alert. until the moment of victory.
The question OF slavery, in one OF its ancient aspects,
has been recently revived, and threatens TO convuse the
country. The democratic party OF The Union ought 10
prepare themselves IN time for the approaching Storm
Their best security The hour OF danger is TO cling fast
10 their time honored principles sacred regard for The
federal constitution aud Tor the reserved rights OF the
States is the immoyable basis which The party can
alone safely This has saved from the inroads oil
abolition Northern democrats not expected TO APP
prove slavery in the absuact but they owe TO them
selves as they value The Union and all the political bless
ings which bonnliiuly How from y, TO abide by the
compromises OF the constitution, and leave the question
where that instrument has left ito The States wherein
slavery exists. Our fathers have made this agreement
with their brethren OF the South, and it is not for the
cancel this solemn compact. The aboiuonsts, by their
efforts to annu il, have arrested the natural progress OF
emancipation. and done great injury 10 the slaves them
selves. ssX
| After Louisiana acquired from France, by Mr.
Jefferson, and when the Slate OF Missouri, which
suted a part OF il, about 10 be admitted into the
Union the Missouri question arose, and in its progress
threatened the dissolution OF the Union.
This was settled by the men OF the last generation, az
other important and dangerous questions have been set
tled-in spirit OF mutual concession. Under the Mis-
souri, Compromise, slavery was +" forever prohibited
north Of the parallel OF 80 degrees 30 minutes and south
OF this parallel the question left 10 be decided by the
people. Congress, in the admission OF Texas following
in the footsteps OF their predecessors, adopted the same
rule and my opinion, the harmony OF the States, and
even The security OF the Union ITSELF require that the line
OF tie Missouri Compromise should be extended to any
| nc territory which we may acquire from Mexico.
should entertain The same opinion, even II II were
certain that this would become serious practical ques
ton but that il be thus considered must BE-
evident, to all who have aentvey examined the subject
Neither the soil the climate nor the productions OF thai
portion of California south OF 30 deg 30 mln.--nor, in
deed OF any portion OF il, north souhs adapted "a
slave labor and besides, every faculty would be there
afforded TO the slave TO escape from his master Such
property would be utterly Insecure IN any part OF Cali
| iornia II is morally impossible, therefore, that ma.
loriy OF the emisfanis TO that portion OF the territory
south OF 30 deg 30 minwhich will be chiefly composed
OF our fellow citizens from the eastern middle, and west
e Sates-will re-esiablish slavery within its lin
it's In regard TO New Mexico, east OF the RIO Grande
the question has been already settled by the admission OF
1 Texas into the Union.
Should we acquire territory beyond the Rio Grande
and cas-, OF the Rocky mountains, Il u sill more improb
able that majority Of the people oil that region would
consent 10 Te-establIsb slavery. They themselves
in large proportion, colored population and among
them the negro does not, socially belong to degraded