Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-04-30
COMMUNICATIONS.
PH1LADELpHIA, April "a, 1856.

Editors Of the North Carolina Standard: 81
Tho great party which has, with but occasional in
terruptons moulded the policy of our country, has
now but little more than a month to discuss the
merits of its distinguished asprants to the Presiden-
cy. In Pennsylvania our minds are made up; but
the iveest interest is felt in the friendly as
it progresses in other States If it were possible to
constitute q National Convention without the en-
barrassmcnt of Instructions it would certainly he
more in consonancc with the other usages OF the
party; but there are some things in which the rank
and file will not be advised and this business of ex-
pressing their preference is prominent among the
number. When we have President in the Chair,
and one whose compass is moved by the cardinal
principles OF his party, this is unfortunate. 1t is
seldom good policy to withhold the courtesy, much
less the reward, which is due to fidelity. An ex-
preston of preference for another to say the least
an apparent neglect which the incumbent OF SO hisn
a post is apt to feel. However, we must bear what
we cannot cure, and hope for the best. Here, as l
have said We have expressed our preference, ana II
at variance with the wishes of our friends in other
States we look to the recipient for our successful
vindicaton. Mr. Buchanan is our choice, as he has
been for twenty years, and our fidelity to regular
nominations, when made by the party in council,
must be our plea for urging him upon our friends
Pennsylvania has been the lead horse OF the party
for half q century. For that long period she has
stood up to the rack, fodder or no fodder and she
has had no fodder. Still she is ready to stand, and
to stand unrewardcd; but should this be turned to
her injury? Besides, she presents statesman, OF
whom the Union is proud she can almost say, she
has simply endorsed statesman whom the Union
has presented. If he were a northern man with
southern principles, expediency might be urged
against US if southern man with northern prlii-
cples, the same objection might be raised; but he
is neither. From his first introduction to the coun.
try lie has proved himself to be national. Upon all
questions OF sectional bearing, he has been gov
erned by the constitution. The man who says he
has served the South, is his enemy; who says nc
has served the North is equally so. lie has adhered
to the constitution as handed down by our fathers,
and it is in that that the South has taken an inter-
est- is in that that the North has
and present him to the country now, with no
other pledge than that, if accepted and elected, all
sections will receive their constitutional dues, marked
only by the unqucstioned ability with which they
will be asccrtained and administered. His long re-
cord ndelnnties in making this pledge. We
know here that the South likes him. we, at least
know that the South is just; that that proud and no.
bic section is capable Of liking statesman who is
able and willing to DO her justice. ! know she Is
too proud to ask anything more and If could urge
the professions of james Buchanan upon any other
ground, should despse tic task as she would des-
pse the offer Virginia is alive to the merits Of our
choice, to its recipient and to the reasonabcness OF
our claim. Hitherto, your sterling Old State has
been foremost in recognizing our right to the noml-
nation, well also the propriety of our selection.
She knew then, and hope knows yet, that the gov
eminent, if administered by James Buchanan, would
be to her, as if administered by Nathaniel Macon
Pennsylvania looks to her for another lf:- We are
aware that an impression once obtained that por-
ton of his State was opposed to the nomination
of Mr.. Buchanan; however correct then, it is other
wise now. AN sections Of the party, from the Della
ware to the Ohio, are of one mind, and may add,
sanguine of his success in the Convention,
they united and anxious. This free country
nothing to any citizen but the ability with
oh has ,tn,h ,r
at the Court of st. James, entities him to the high
est consideration his tcow-citzens have it in their
power to bestow. But have spoken of him main.
ly as the choice of Pennsy lvania. His detail Of
merits are in your hands well as ours, and no
one knows better than yourselves that his claims
statesman, are in no respect subordinate to his
claims as the choice of his native State.
S. II.