Washington sentinel., 1856-05-24

that All interference with the rights OF the
States, by those who seek to disregard the
sacred guarantees of the past, and by all others,
should be rebuked with the same spirit that
would dencunce and repudiate all attempts to
erect odious distinctions between those who are
entitled 10 share the blessings and benefits of
our free institutions.
"Resotced, That the effort to direct the power
OF the government by anti slavery agitations,
under the various names and phases of Free.
Soilism, nti-Nebraskaism, Fusionism, and Re-
publcanism, and by interfering with the rights
OF conscience in establishing a religious test as
capitalization for Office, by the secret oath-bound
society OF the knownothings, is opposed both
to the letter and the spirit of the Constitution,
and to the earnest teachings and practice Of its
earliest and most honored administrators.
Resotred, That we are now as ever unaltera-
bly, opposed to the doctrines and designs of all
organizations which contemplate the overthrow
of the civil and religious rights of the citizen.
which, like the equality of the States, is sacred
and inalienable right, never to be interered with
by factious parties and reckless legislaton with
out subversion of the primary objects of our
political system, and reputation of the guar
antees OF the past, and the hopes of the future.
"Resotred, That in the repeal of the act known
as the Missouri Compromise act, and the pas
sage OF the act organizing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska, free from unconstitu-
tional restrictions, the last Congress performed
a work OF patriotic sacrifice, in meeting the
demands OF sectional excitement by unshaken
adherence to the fundamental law
Resolced, That this legislation cannot be
deemed unnecessary, but that it was expedient
to meet the questions Of which it disposed, and
which could never admit Of a more easy settle.
ment than at present. That we recognize in
/ "A fha ri, Al A.
United States of the rule of equal and exact
justice to all men, of all sections of the Con-
federacy, which was designed by the trainers
of our Government, and which was defined as
one of its essential principles by the immortal
Jefferson.
/ "Resolred, That the Democracy of Pennsyl.
vania, following the counsel of some of the
wisest statesmen of the North and South, were
ready on more than one occasion in the past to
extend the Missouri Compromise line to the
Pacihc, so as TO make 1t the basis of final set
tlement of the question of slavery in the Terri
tories but when this proposition was rejected
in lS48, on the ground that it involved an un
due concession to the South, by the very men
who now camor for restoration of the Mis-
souri, line, there seemed to be but one wise
alternative lett, and that was to refer the whole
question of slavery in the Territories to the
Il PSoPiS suSASo', " NC ICSuidtcu dS Lney may
deem proper; aud we, therefore, cheerfnlly ex.
tend our hearty support to the policy Of the
Government as recognized in the compromise
measures OF 1850, and embodied in the laws
organizing the Territories Of Kansas and Ne
braska."
And what other answer is necessary to the
allegation of my colleague? What other plat
form does the country desire?
Mr.. Speaker, this is Mr.. Buchanan's position.
Upon this impregnable foundation he takes
his stand. There is no evasion here; all is
frank, outspoken, and plain. Who can be sur
prised if to such standard and to such a man
the people, In the present crisis, should look
with confidence and hope? Who will not re-
Joice to see patriotic citizens appaudng a
public man who stands upon such creed2
| Those gallant spirits heretofore opposed to US,
whose voices we have heard with such trans.
ports of delight in both branches of Congress,
declaring themselves for the principles Of the
| national Dem ocracy, will be no less grati6ed
with the creed upon which Mr.. Buchanan has
taken his position than will The national Demo
Gratis themselves. And now, sir, let me recall
to your mind the action of the Democratic
party in this House, at the opening of the pre-
sent Congress, to the following resolution, which
had the honor TO offer on the Sd of Decem.
Der, 1855, and which was adopted by that
| caucus py unanimous vote:
"Resolred, That the Democratic members Of
the House of Representatives, though in a tenn
porary minority in this body, deem this fit
occasion to tender to their fellow-citizens of
the whole Union their heartfelt con rpratulations
on the triumph, IN the recent elections in seve-
raj of the northern, eastern, and western, as
well as southern States, of the principles of the
Kansas Nebraska bill, and the doctrines of
civil and religious liberty which have been so
violently assailed by secret political order
| known as the hnownothing party and, though
IN minority, we hold it to be our highest
duty TO preserve our organization and continue
our efforts In the maintenance and defense of
those principles, and the constitutional rights
of every section and every class of citizens
against their opponents of every description,
whether the so-caled Republicans, Know-no.
things, or Fusionists; and to this end we look
with confidence to the support and appreciation
OF all good and true men-friends Of the Con.
sttution and the Union throughout the coun-
try
You will observe that the invitation to the
patriotic men Of all parties held out in this
resolution is in exact accordance with the
spirit which now animates the Democracy
all over the land, and which was ftly re-
sponded to by the Democracy Of Pennsyl.
sylvania, when they placed James Buchanan
IN nomination for the Presidency. You will
observe, also, that the confidence expressed in
: the ultimate triumph Of the principles OF the
Nebraska bill, and the advice that these prin
ciples should not be discarded, are in peculiar
harmony with the stern patriotism Of character
which has always controlled Mr.. Buchanan in
meeting great questions, and especially in re
sisting the onsets of the enemies of the rights
: of the States.
Mr. Speaker, we are on the eve Of important
events. We are in The midst Of an era of in
vestigation; and at such time it is natural, il
is right that the records Of our public men
should be explored, TO see how far they may
be trusted in the future. We have not boasted
OF the record Of Mr.. Buchanan, nor have we
obfruded IT upon the country. The masses
know it by heart; they have studied it care
fully, and they rest upon it, confident that it
will stand the test Of the most intelligent scru.
tiny.