Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-08-20

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clearer and moro nc6n{establ e is Hid The
confidence and support Of the South b ~
We have seen from retrospect OF hig codtse on
slavery, that he has Always been the vigant, con-
sstent and 0n6inching champion of the Constitu-
ton and 4he rights Of ths States Never has he in
famed the fanaticism Of the North BY dennnciation
Of slavery ;sneyer has u neglected an opportunity
of contributing to the security and stability of the
rights and institutions Of the South. His enemies
reproach him with an unreliable tifnidity Of nature
but the injustice of the accusation it exposed by
the frmness and fidelity with which he has defed
and resisted the ant-slavery movement in the mo-
ment of its greatest power. The rising generation
of public men will find in the character of other
statesman, conspicuous illustration Of consis-
tent devotion to principle as is shown in Mr. Buch
anan's undertaking support Of the rights Of the
South. *r
This might appear to be extravagant praise if in
Mr.. Buchanans services to the South there had
been the least manifestation of reluctant and con-
strained spirit So far the contrary, however, that
in all his votes and speeches in support of the rights
of slavery, there is spontanety and q, sincerity
which attest the influence we'll Of the feelings of
the heart as of the convictions of the understand
ing. In defence of thr South he did not await the
immediate presence of danger, he did not need the
spur of obvious and imperative duty but with the
prophetic instinct of true craftsmanship and the
generous enterprise of on ardent patriot he deserted
the gathering cloud in the distance and provided
secure shelter against the storm. In like manner,
when elevated to the Presidency he will not hest
tate and equivocate until the country is upon the
brink of ruin. He villa lean upon his Attorney
General for support and stimulus in resistance to
the encroachments of Abolitionism but will exhibit
the same prompt and hearty spirit in defence of the
South which has characterized his past course.
That we pronounce no indscrimnate and unde-
served panegyric upon Mr.. Buchanan, all will admit
who read the following passage from speech which
he delivered the eth Of February, 1912, in reply to
Mr. Clays attack upon the veto power:
1t would be easy to imag ine interests of the
deepest importance to particular sections which
might be seriously endangered by its destruction"
" In the Southern States which compose the weaker
portion of the Union, species of property exists
which is attracting the attention of the whole
civilized world. These States never would have be-
come parties to the Union, had not their rights in
this property been secured by the Federal Consti-
tuition. Foreign and domestic fanatics-some from
others from desire to divide and destroy this glori
Gus Republic-have conspired to emancipate the
Southern slaves On this question, the people Of
the South, beyond the limits Of their own States,
STAND ALONE AND UNSUPPORTED BY ANY POWER ON
EARTH, EXCEPT THAT Of the Northern Democracy.
4neSe lauatCal puIanturOplSCS are HOW CouuuCIinS
a crusade over the whole world, and are endeavor-
ing to concentrate the public opinion of all mankind
against this rightof property. Suppose they should
ecer influence majority IN both Houses Of Congress
to pass lac, not to abolish this property-tor that
aoouM be too papa6lea oiotation the Constitution
but to render Il Of no ualue, under the letter, but
against the spirit Some one fthe po'oers granted;
oiU any locer Of his country sag that tho President
ought not to possess the po,oer Of a'resing such an
act By his ceto until the solemn decision of the peo.
pie should be known this question, anUelong the
life death Of the 4Unions We, of the nom
saveholding States entered the Union upon the ex-
press condition that this property should be pro-
tected. Whatever may be our own private opinions
in regard to slavery in the abstract, ought we to
hazard all the blessings of free insttuton-our
Union and our Strengthen such a crusade against
our brethren of the South Ought We to jeopardize
every political right hold DEAR for the sake of
enabling these fanatics to invade Southern rights
and render that fair portion of our common inher-
lance scene of scrvile war, rapine and murder?
Shall we apply the torch to the magnificent temple
of human liberty which our forefathers reared at
the price of blood and treasure, and permit all we
hold dear to perish in the confagration? trust not
cit is possible that at some future day the ma
jority in Congress may attempt by indirect means,
to emancpate the slaves of the South. There is no
knowing through what channel the active spirit
OF fanaticism may seek to accomplish its purpose.
10 zoe feel so secure, in this hour of peril from
abroad and peril at home as to be soilling to pros
trdte Gny Of the barriers Which the constitution has
reared against hasty and dangerous legslation2 No.
sir, meoer aods the ralue of the ceto posoer mani
fest than at the present moment. For the acedker
portion the Union schose constitutional rights
n0ac assailed acih such uiolence to think of abandon
ing this safeguard could be almost suicidal"
Observe here an instructive contrast. The party
which supports Willard Fillmore have ever opposed
the exercise of the Executive veto except in
of palpably unconstitutional legislation. And his
friends are now, at this very moment, excusing his
signature of the Fugitive Slave Bill on the plea that
the platform of his party restrained him from re-
straint he would be compelled to approve the ag-
gressive acts of an abolition Congress.
Such is not the platform of James Buchanan He
chershes the Executive veto, not only for its gener-
al conservative effect in system of government,
but for its special in defeating the schemes Of the
Abolitoniss. Much as he prizes the power as
principle of the Constitution, he esteems it the more
as weapon Of defence in the hands of the South.
And he binds himself by pledge, which is not ex.
torted by the necessities of canvass but which he
assumes voluntarily and from conviction, that while
he is President of the United States no Black Re-
publican Congress shall carry out its schemes Of
aggression In his hands the Executive veto will be
an impregnabe bulwark of Southern rights.
The foregoing extract illustrates Mr.. Buchanan's
sagacity as statesman. His prophecy wants but
little of literal fumcnt If the fanatical Phian-
thropists" have not yet majority in both Houses
ofCongrcss" they at least supreme in the House
of REPRESENTATIVES and if their march be not soon
arrested, they will get control of the Senate Inc
defeat of Buchanan will ensure all abolition ascen-
dancy in the Federal Legislature; the election OF
Fillmore will place a-man in the Presidency whose
preiudices, principles and pledges will combine to
make him at leasta passive instrument OF anti'sIa.
Al -~ls1- ~C