Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-08-01
From the South Side Democrat
4 Contrast Drawn from the Record.


He has endorsed the Cincinnati platform which con-
tans all that the most ultra stcker for States rights
could ask He has not only avowed his cordial ac-
ceptance of this proclamation OF principles. but dis
nctly stated that he has not one plank TO add to or
one to take from it-being long and broad enough
for the whole Democracy of the country 10 stand
Unable to except either to the platform OF to Mr..
Buchanan's endorsement of its declaration OF creed
the opposition at the South pretend to base their OBJ
jections on his past record Well, let history speak
For one moment let his be scrutinlzed by the
light which its facts afford.
1t will be remembered that never until 1885 did
the slavery question assume dangerous aspect or
become the subj ect of political agitation. Up TO this
time, even in Virginia. opinions the constitutional
power of Congress over the matter were extremely
loose and w guely defined, while the sentimental
view of the subject was theme for unlimited dis
fusion and difference of opinion. From the day of
its introduction into the halls of Congress
tonal issue, up 10 the present tlme the course OF Mr.
Buchanan has been without the shadow OF change.
On that occasion he took his stand and never since
has he departed one inch from the position then and
there taken. He was quick to observe in the agiia-
tior of the slavery question and the Northern cru
SADIE against the South begun then for the first time,
the seeds of q crop Of ills. He saw that the false
principles sown then would in due time furnish an
abundant harvest Of alienation distrust and sectional
hate, and like patriot he promptly planted himself
in position of antagonism 10 the schemes of the
agitators Hence we find MIR. Buchanan,
1. In 1886 supporting bill to prohibit the circu,
lation OF Abolition papers in the mail,
2. In the same year proposing and voting for the
admission of Kansas into the Union as State, with
slavery recos nized in her constitution
8. In 1867 denouncng and voting to re- ect
petitions for the abolition of slavery in the District
of Columbia.
a. In l847 vong Tor Mr.. Calhouns famous reso-
uons defining the ghts of The States and the linn
lis OF federal authority-and affirming it to be the
al (t he nrt RI and
institutions of the South
s. In 1889 40 invariably voting with South
ern Senators against the consideration of abolition
petitions
6. In 1844-5 taking ground early in favor of the
admission of Texas.
7. 10 lS47 opposing promptly the WiImot Proviso
so soon as introduced into Congress by man from
his State.
8. In the same year suggesting and sustaining the
Clayton Compromise backed by the entire South,
except eight Southern qrhigS, who defeated the bill.
9. In 1850 proposing and urging the extension of
the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific in lieu
of the measures of adjustment then pending being
the only leading Northern man who took that posi-
ton at the time. and receiving for his manly stand
the paudits of the whole South
IL. Promptly acquiesing in the compromise
of that year which were adopted in place of his
proposition, ami declaring that the feature of them
establishing governments for Utah and New Mexico
had done away with the Missouri line, and sub
Sttuted The doctrine OF intervention thus laying
the foundation of Douglas Nebraska bill in 1858
H. Advocating before its passage the Fugitive
Slave bill, we find him after it became law en-
poying all his influence in favor of its faithful exc
cuton.
II In 1854 demonstrating against and urging the
repeal of the law passed by the Pennsylvania legis
lature which denied The use of the State prisons for
the confinement Of fugitive slaves.
IL. In 1854 negotiating Tor the purchase of Cuba.
4, 1896 he nOlIcv ,f he ahraS Sa
BILL and justy:ng the repeal of the Missouri resric
ton, taking the high ground that the principles of
that measure furnish the only safe solution of the
slavery question. Such is faithful record of the
man the democratic party presents as lis candidate
for the Presidency.
Such are few of he4unvarnished incidents in the
political history of held up by the opposition
as unworthy of the support Of the South.
But pray who makes these charges and cui bono !?
:" by, the Southern supporters of Willard Fillmore,
and avowedly to persuade Southern men to vote for
him in preference to Mr.. Buchanan. How much
better and sounder is the record of Mr. Fillmore
than that of Mr.. Buchanan ? Let us see
l. From the time Mr. Fillmore entered Congress
until the day he left it, he voted with the abolition
lists on every test question even voting sometimes
with Glddings and SIade, in mnorites Of six eight
z. Every abolition petition presented 10 Congress
while he was member he voted TO receive and re-
spectfnlly consider.
3. In 1888 he announced the following TO be his
platform:
e I believe that petitions to Congress on the sub.
jec of slavery the slave trade, ought to be re-,
celved. read md respectfully considered by the rep.
resentatives of the people -
g am opposed TO the annexation of Texas to this
Union under any circumstances; so long slaves
are held therein ~
" am in favor of Congress exercising all the con-
stltulioDal power it possesses to abolish the internal
slave trade between the States ~
AM IN EAVND on TLE Dor TTToN on
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ~
a In 1850, it is true he signed the fugitive slave
law, in obedience to his oath support the Constiu-
ton of the United States but he says in one of his
public speeches thai he had great difficulties even in
signing this bill, and that he had many scruples
about 1t and did sign it until Crttenden, his al
torney general had assured him it was clearly con-
stuonal"
"That he was either opposed or Indifferent to the
passage of this bill is sufficiently atesed in the fact
that but three Northern qChigs supported it, while it
was voted for by forty odd Northern democrats Few
can be made 10 believe that President has so little
influence with his party as 10 he unable to induce
more than three of It's members in Congress to SUP.
port leading measure of his administration
3. That his heart was not in the bill-that he was
against it in spirit, is sufficiently evident from the
wretched and abortIve of its attempted exc
cutIon The case Of Shadach at Boston, and of Jerry
at Syracuse, and the contemplate conduct of his Of
ncers IN both these instances, too familiar in the
minds OF the reader to be adverted 10.
T. AS for the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
he does not hesitate 10 denounce it as breach of
pllghted faith and wantOn act of aggression on the
rights of the North-being all the ground the North
ern Abolionlsts desire him 10 take to help him in
their present purposes.
8. We defy his Southern supporters to produce us
the slightest evidence that he accepts the principles
ofthe Nebraska bill as solution of the question of
slavery in The territories