The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-17
RICHMOND, Feb. IL, 1852.

GENTLEMEN Ga my arrival in this city last evening |
received your very kind letter. welcoming me to the me-
ropos Of the Old Dominion and rendering me the honor
OF public dinner lregret-deeply regre-that my visit
to Richmond will necessarily be so brief cannot enjoy
the pleasure and the privilege of meeting you all at the
nss ee pass
Of such character that must leave here to- morrow,
or at the latest, Saturday morning.
But whilst cannot accept the dinner, shall ever es-
teen the invitation from many of vginias most dis
ngushed and estimabe oil the proudest hon.
ors OF my life Your ancient and renowned Common
wealth has been the peculiar guardian OF State
rights and the firm supporter OF constitutional liberty of
law and of order When, therefore, she endorses with
her appreciation any OF efforts TO serve the coun-
try her commentator guarantee that these have
been devoted TO righteous cause.
You pleased 10 refer in favorable terms 10 my re-
conduct "a home in defence OF the federal cons-
tuition and laws" This easy and agreeable task,
because the people of Pennsylvania have ever been as
loyal and faithful TO the constitution, the Union, and the
rights Of the sovereign States oil which IT s composed as
the people OF the ancient Dominion themselves 10 have
pursued different course in my native State would,
therefore, have been to resist the strong current OF en-
lighlened public opinion
purposey refrain from discussing the original merit
OF the Compromise, because consider il. to employ the
expressive language Of The day. fnality"--a liked
fact-a most important enactment OF law, the agitation
disturbance OF which could do possible good, but
might produce much positive evil Oar noble vessel ef
State eighed 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 rumphany ridden out the storm. Both those
who supported the measures OF the Compromise as Just
and necessary and those who regarding them IN dier-
light yet acquesce in them for the sake OF the Union
have arrived at the conclusion-hat II must and
shall be executed They have thus, for every practical
purpose, adopted the PLATFORM and have resolved 70
sustain il against the common enemy Why then. should
they wrangle and divide and waste their energies, moi
respecting the main question, which has already been
definitely settled but in regard 10 the process winch has
brought them, though from different directions, 10 the
conclusion Above all, why should The strength oil
the democratic party OF the country be impaired and ITS
ascenjency ieoparded for any such cause We who be-
eve that the triumph OF democratic principles IS essential
not only TO the posperty Of the Union, but even 10 the
preservation OF the constitution, ought recprocally 10
forget and, if need be, TO forgive tho past and cordially
unite with our political brethren sustaining for the
future the good old OF democracy. 1t 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 extngushcd, ! trust, forever and the man
who would apply frebrand at the present moment, to
the combustible materials which sl remain may pro-
duce an eruption overwhcim both the constitution and
the Union
With sentiments Of high and grateful respect, remain
your fellow citizen, JAMES BUCHANAN.
Shelton +. Leake esq, and other gentlemen