Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-07-10

Such is Mr.. Buchanan's position.
Can he be trusted with the administra-
ton of our foreign affairs 1t is vain for
has friends to speak of his conservatism !;
here his o,on words, deliberately expressed,
and no apology or explanation of his friends
can wipe them out.
Can he be trusted with any greater safe
ty on the slavery question? His antece-
dents (see his Lancaster resolutions, speech
es in Congress, &c. show him to be Free
soiler. AS such he was evidently support
ed by the North in the Cincinnati Conven-
ton. Reference to the record will show
that during many ballots he received no
votes from, the South, save those of Virginia
and Louisiana. The South preferred Mr.
Pierce or Mr. Douglas. But, as Mr.. Bu-
chan has repudiated his own antecedents,
we perhaps ought to do so too; and shall
only inquire, what is.his present position on
that question? In his letter of acceptance
he fully endorses the Cincinnati platform,
which heartily approves the entire conduct
OF the Democratic party as represented by
Mr.. Pierce Thus Mr.. Buchanan assumes
the responsibilities of the action of the DEM
s.
Let us consider this few moments.
In March, 1858, Mr.. Fillmore retired
from the Government, and left the country
in the enjoyment of the most profound quiet;
nowhere was there the sound of discord all
was peace and harmony. Men of all par
ties acknowledged and applauded the firm
ness and ability of Mr.. Fillmore, which had
accomplished SO happy result all parties
pledged themselves to sustain it; and Mr..
Pierce was elected by the influence of the
following resolution, adopted in the Demo-
cratic platform of 1852:
"Resolred, That the Democratic party will re-
sst all attempts at renewing, in Congress or out
of it, the agitation of the slavery question, under
,chaterer shape or color the attempt may be made.
Such was their language in 1852? Could
it be stronger? Could a party be more full
ly pledged? And was not this pledge re-
peated over and over again, on the stump,
in Congress-, and even in the Presidents
Inaugural? But what was their action p
They were hardly in power before they pro-
posed and effected the repeal of the Missou-
ri Compromise, and created storm of agi-
tation greater than has ever before swept
over this country.
[ do not stop here to inquire whether the
Missouri Compromise was constitutional or
not, nor whether the rights of any section
demanded its repeal 1t is sufficient to
know that it had been in quiet, peaceful ope-
ration for more than thirty years, and that the
Democrats deliberately and solemnly pledged
themselves to sustain it and to put down all
agitation Of the question, from whatever
quarter it might come. Under suct. pledges
they were bound to maintain it under all
circumstances. Why did they not do it p
What advantage has been gained that is at
all commensurate with the injury that has
Only fruits have been discord, contention,
yea eren cici7 aoar. How appalling the idea,
much less the reality of civil war IA strife
brought on by the insane ultraism of the
South and the fanaticism of the North the
one as dangerous to our peace and happi-
ness as the other the one just as necessary
to be quieted as the other for both alike
entail nothing but distraction and discord.
Here again ask, how can this disastrous
condition be remedied? Certainly not by
retaining in power the party which has
brought it upon us. Certainly not by re-
tanning in power party that has violated
its every pledge ON this subject, however
solemnly made; which has sacrafced every
thing to party ends and party triumph
which has forced upon us a new storm of
agitation of which no man can now see the
result. Has not all this been done by the
Democratic party? And does not Mr..
Buchanan endorse it to the fullest extent {?
Is he, then, fit to represent the conservat-
ism Of the country? Can the conservatives
support any such man or any such party?
If, then, they cannot support Mr.. Ere
mont or Mr.. Buchanan, what can thew do
It certainly will not do to nominate another
candidate for, under existing circumstan-
ces, every new candidate will only contri-
butte to the success of the Democrats.
There only then remains Mr.. FILLMORE.
Can the conservatives of the country sup
port him? 1t seems to me that no conser-
rotiye can hesitate in the present position of
parties. Whatever may be said by Demo-
cratic politicians, the fact remains the same,
viz. that Mr.. Fillmore occupies a position
intermediate between each extreme, North
and South. As such he deserves, and T
trust will receive, the support of every one
that is DESTROYS to see peace and harmony
once more shed their happy influence
throughout the land. What matters it
though his chances of success are not at
present so certain as his friends would like
to see? The question, as said above, is not
what policy dictates, but what is our duty.
Is Mr.. Fillmore qualified by his enpe,1ence
and principles to administer the Government?
Does he maintain those principles which we
desire to see prevail If so, he is entitled
to the support of every true patriot, and
should receive it, despite every obstacle.
Let us discharge our duty irrespective of