The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-10-04


MIR. BUCUANAN'S CELEBRATED LETTER OF
MAY. 1867, TO ROBERT G. SCOTT. ESQ, OF
RICHMOND.
1t has been our intention, for some time, to
rcpublish this patriotic letter of our great stan
dard-bcarcr; but we have omitted it from in
advcrtcncc, until the request of a friend has
reminded Ms Of our original purpose. 1t is u
clear and statcsnankc exposition of the con-
stitntiona doctrine on slavery; the more to be
honorcd in its author, rs il was represented by
the enemies Of the Democracy to have cost
him, by its straightforward candor and unrc-
serve, the Baltimore nomination in 1852
WuEArLANp, NEAR LANCASTER. Pa,
May -, 1852.
RoLt. e.. iScoN Eq--Sr Envc received
your communication Of the 18th inst, asking
me whether, in case Of my nomination and
election TO the Presidency, | would, in the adj
miniStration of the government, sustain and
enforce the various acts of Congress, constitut-
ing what is known as the Compromise, and
Especially the cnactmcutS of that law, rclat-
ng to the rccapturc, by their owners, of iugi-
tive slaycS?'
And, also, whether "would diScouiltcnancc,
by every proper means, all attempts to disturb
or change Tie provisions of that law, whereby
those provisions might he made less cllcctual,
for securing to the people of the South their
constitutional rights in the possession and en-
Ijoymcnt Of their slave propcrty?'
And again, whether, should, unfortunately
II bill be passed by Congress, modifying or
changing the law referred to, so as 10 impair
its present valuable cnactmcntS, would ], (you)
as President Of the Republic, veto any such
bill?'
These three several questions answer, with
out the slightest hesitation in the affirmative.
In thus answering (to repeat the language Of
my Richmond letter Of February last II pur-
posrly refrain from discussing the original
merits Of the compromise, because consider
it, 10 employ the expressive language Of the
day, as Inalty, fixed fact, most import
ant enactment Of law, the agitation or disturb
lncc Of which could do no possible good, but
might produce much positive evil Our noble
vessel Of State, ircigltcd with the hopes Of
mankind, both for the present and future gene
rationS, has passed through the most danger
Gus breakers which she has ever encountered
and has trnmphanIy ridden ont IF The storm
Both those who supported the measures Of the
compromise us llst and necessary, and those
WHO, regarding them il different light yet
dcqucSrc il them for the sake Of the Union.
have arrived AT the same conclusion that il
must and shall De executed. They have thus,
for every practical purpose adopted the same
platform, and have resolved 10 sustain il
against the common enemy. Why then should
they Wranglc and divide and waste their cncr-
| gicS, not respecting the main question, whirl
has already been definitely settled, Int in re-
gard TO the process which has brou glt them,
though from different directions, 10 bic same
conclusion! Above all, why ,hond the Dem
ocrallc party Of the country be impaired and
lis aSrrndancy jeopnrded for any such cause
We who believe that the triumph Of Democrat
ic principles is essential not only TO the pros.
pcriiy Of the Union, but even to the prrscrva-
ton Of the Constitution, ought rcciprocaIly to
forget, and if need be, to forgive the past, ard
cordially unite with our poIitica! brethren in
sustaining for the future the good old cause Of
Democracy. 1t must be II source Of deep and
lasting pleasure to every patriotic heart that
our beloved country has so happily passed
through the late trying and dangerous crisis
HE volcano has been cXtnguShcd, | trust,
forever; and the man who would apply fire
brand at the present moment to the combllst-
bic materials. which still remain, may produce
an eruption to oycrwhcIm both the CONSTITUTE
ton and the Union"
IN my opinion, the contingency to which
You refer is remote and highly improbable, that
Congress will ever pass bill ''modiiying or
changing the Fugitive Slave law, so as TO I'M
par It's present valuable cnactmcnts." This
law contaminated the bond OF peace between
the slaychodng and non-suycholding States,
at the late very critical period of our history.
Had 1t not passed, the remaining measures OF
adjustment, however wise in themselves, would
not have deserved the name of Il compromise
between these two classes of States. 1t is the
single measure Of the whole series in which the
slaveholdIng States, with the exception of
Texas, have amy peculiar interest. 1t is the
only compensation which they have received
Tor great sacrifices which many, perhaps ma
Jorlty, OF their citizens believe they have suf-
tered Besides, nearly all the other measures
OF inc compromise, certainly the most mpor-
talIt OF them, are, in their very nature, final,
ana cannot be repealed by Congress. Under
ll'esc circumstances it would not only be un.
just, but in bad faith to dpnrivn those Stotoc