The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-29

answer may De deemed on poiut,
is due TO candor TO state that should not feel al liberty,
any event. 10 the patronage OF the government for
the purpose OF influencing the Legislative action upon
that any other subject but would leave TO Congress
the independent exercise OF its constitutional functions,
aud TO the Executive the full OF Iespon
sbiy attaching to his approval or disapproyal OF all
have the honor to be- very respectfully, yonr obedien
servant, s. A. DOUGLAS.
ROBERT G. Scorr, esq
Letter from james buchanan, Esq
WHEATLASD, (uear Lancaster, Pa.,) May "A, 1852
SIR have received your communication OF the 18th
instant asking me whether, in OF my nomination
and election TO the presidency would, in the admins
aton OF the government. sustain and enforce the va
acts OF Congress constituting what is known as the
Compromise, and especially the enactmens OF that law
relating TO the recaptuIe BY their owners OF fugitive
slaves"
And also whether "would discounienance by every
proper means all attempts to disturb change the pro-
visions OF that law whereby these provisions might be
made less eheciual for securing to the people OF the
South their constitutional rights in the possession and
enjoyment OF their slave property"
And, again, whether, "shoud, unfortunately, bill be
passed BY Congress modifying or changing the law re-
feed TO- so as TO impair It's present valuable enaciuens
would you as President OF iherepnbc, veto any such
| bill"
These three several questions answer, without the
slightest hesitation, in the affirmative In thus answer.
ing, TO repeat the language OF my Richmond letter OF
original merits of the Compromise, because consider IT,
employ the expressive language OF the day. as final
iy-a liked iact-a most important enactment o. law
the agitation disturbance OF which could do no posi-
Bile good, but might produce much positive evil. Our
noble vessel OF State, freghted with the hopes OF man
kind both for the present and future generations mas
passed through the most dangerous breakers which she
has encountered, and has triumphanty ridden out
the storm. Both those who supported The measures OF
the Compromise as Just and necessary and those WHO.
them for the sake OF the Union have arrived at the
same conclusion-that it must and shall be execa-
led ihey have mus; ior every Pacucal purpose :.
| sustain it against the common enemy. Why, then,
should they wrange and divide and waste their energies
not respecting the main question, which has aiready
been delinyey settled, but in regard to the process
which has brought them, though from different directions,
10 the same conclusion! Above all, why should the
strength OF the democratic party OF the country be i'm.
paired and its ascendeucy eopaded for any such
We who believe that the triumph OF democratic prlnci-
Piles essential not only TO the prosperity OF the Union,
but even TO the preservation OF the constitutions ought
recpocay forget and il need be, TO forgive the past
and cordially unite with political brethren in sustain
Ing for the future the good old cause OF democracy
must be source OF deep and lasting pleasure to every
patriotic heart that our beloved country has happily
passed through the late trying and dangerous crisis The
volcano has been exinguished trust, foIevcr and the
man who would apply frebrand at the present moment
to the combustbe materials which still remain. may
produce eruption TO overwhelm both the constitution
and the Union.'
In my opinion the contingency TO which you refer is
remote and highly improbable, that Congress will ever
pass bill modifying or changing the ogtlve-save law
so as 10 impair lis present valuable enacmsnis" This
law consummaed the bond OF peace between the slave
holding and the nonslaveholdng States at the aie very
critical period Of history Had il not passed. The
manning OF adjustment however wise IN them
selves would not have deserved the OF compro-
betwcp these classes OF States II Is the single
OF the whole series in which the sIayebolJiDg
States, with the exception OF Texas, have any peculiar
interest IL is the only compensation which they have
received for the great sacrifices which many perhaps
majority, Of their citizens believe they have suffered Be.
sdes nearly all the other MEASURES Of the Compromise,
certainly the most important OF them are in their very
final and cannot be repealed BY Congress Under
these circumstances il would not only be unjust but in
bad faith deprive these States OF the benefits secured
to them by the fugtive-save law especially when law
OF this character is not only authorized, but absolutely
qufed by the express mandate oil the constitution.
/ In what estimation would The civilized world hold the
conduct OF OF the parties TO solemn treaty OF peace
between independent nations who, whilst himself in the
enjoyment OF all the benefits stipulated in his favor, and
10 which he knows he be disturbed, should
then urn round, and merely because he possesses the
power, deprive the other party OF the only equivalent he
had received under this very treaty?
But forbear TO pursue this subject In my opinion,
the harmony OF the States and the prosperiyt may be
the preservaton--of the Union depend up the maine-
and faithful execution OF all the compromise
ures. Il is too late in the day to 60 behind the
ord and discuss the original merits.
| You're, very respectfully, -
ROBERT O. Scorr, esq.