Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-08-08

gress has power under the Constitution TO prohibit
slavery in the Territories. do not believe that
Congress possesses this power-but do not make
mans opinion on this subject the touchstone OF
political orthodoxy; and all that think should be
required ON a question about which such differ
ence of opinion has always existed among the
brightest ntellects OF the country, is that no con-
stitutional power should be exercised TO the pre-
judce of the rights ofthe States or of persons in
their persons or property that whenever the eff
feet Of the exertion of constitutional power on a
particular subject would be to produce agitation
and discomfort and no practical good, the power
should not be exercised even If expressly granted
but the peace and tranquility of the country should
be preserved. Sir, you apply the principle laid
down by Southern gentlemen the subject OF
slavery, you exclude from your cooperation every
man who admits the power however much he
may oppose its exercise. 1t is well known that
Mr.. Buchanan himself, in the whole course Of his
long public life, has never asserted that Congress
has not power to prohibit slavery in the Territories.
On the contrary, he has frequently admitted that
power i'm Congress. He was in favor Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise of 1920; and have not doubt
was opposed to its repeal. When a member of
the Senate, he repeatedly presented petitions for
the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia
On this subject he said on one occasion on pre-
senting such petition that. Congress ought not,
in justice to Maryland and Virginia, to abolish
slavery in this District long 1t existed in those
States, but when il ceased to exist in those States
Congress should abolish it in this District. He
admitted the power, but thought it inexpedient to
exercise it then. He said in the debate on the
proposition to annex Texas, that he was in favor
of the annexation because il would cause the
States of Maryland and Kentucky to abolish sia-
very. He declared on the subject of slavery gen.
orally, that his opinions were the same as those
49, AZ Gtuso - ANA hat he, had
always been with her on that subject. Now the
history of that State presents an unbroken opposi
ton to this institution for more than fifty years.
But, lest should mistake his opinions, here in
sert them as expressed and published by himself
and recorded in the annals of our congressional
history:
From the Congressional Globe, col. 3, page s5.
Mr.. BUCHANAN said:
In presenting this memorial, and in exerting
himself so far in him lay to secure for it that
reception by the Senate, which il de-
served, he should do his duty to the memorialists
but he owed duty to himself and to his country,
which he would perform He was clearly Of opin.
ion, for the reasons he had stated on Thursday
last that Congress ought not at this time, to abol
ish slavery in the District of Columbia and that it
was duty promptly to place this exciting ques-
ton at rest. He should, therefore, move that the
be read, and that the prayer of the me-
moriasts be rejected"
On the Thursday before he said on the subject
Of slavery;
:" He thought Congress ought not to abolish
slavery in the District Of Columbia, in Justice to
Maryland and Virginia. But (said he) when sla-
very ceases to exist under the laws of Maryland
and Virginia-then, and not till then, ought it to
be abolished in the District of Columbia Notwith-
standing these were his opinions, he could not
rpfa f,r fha &c fbn Co, AZ
Carolina (Mr. CALHouN) not to receive this memo
rial" T... -..-.
From tie Congressional Globe vol s, page 1853,
Feb. 8, 1910.
Mr.. Buchanan presented the petition of Jacob
nj. Ellis, and 81 other citizens of Philadelphia
county, praying for an alteration of the Copstitu-
ton SO as to abolish slavery in the United States
and other petitions for the abolition of slavery
and the slave trade in the District of Columbia"
From the Congressional Globe, vol 8, mage 1913,
AprI %, 1886. .u.s
Mr.. Buchanan said he rose to present the
memorial of the yearly meeting of the religious
Society of Friends, which had been recently
held in the city of Philadelphia, demonstrating
against the admission of Arkansas into the Union,
whilst provision remained ia her constitution
which admits of and may perpetuate slavery.
The language of this memorial was perfectly re-
spectful. Indeed, it could not be otherwise, con-
sidering the source from which it emanated 1t
breathes throughout the pure and Christian spirit
which had always animated the Society of Friends;
and although he did not concur with them in opin-
ion, their memorial was entitled to be received
with great respect. When the highly respectable
committee which had charge of this memorial cali
ed upon him this morning, and desired him to
present it to the Senate, he had felt it to be his
duty to inform them in what relation he stood to
the question. He stated to them that he had
been requested by the delegate from Arkansas to
take charge of the application of that Territory to
be admitted into the Union, aud that he had cheer
fully taken upon himself the performance OF this
duty. He also read to them the sth section of the
act of Congress of 9th March, 1920 containing
the famous Missouri Compromise; and informed
them that the whole Territory of Arkansas was
south of the parallel of SO degrees and a half of
north latitude; and that he regarded this COM
promise, considering the exciting and alarming
under which it was made, and the
dangers to the existence of the Union which it had
to be almost as sacred as constitutional
provision. That there might be no mistake on the
subject, he had also informed them that in pre-
enting their memorial he should feel it to be his
luty to state these facts to the Senate With this
course on his part, they were Satisfied, and still
continued their request that he might present the
He now did so with great pleasure.
lie hoped it might be received by the Senate with
all the respect it so highly deserved lie asked
that il might be read; and as the question of the
admission of Arkansas was no longer before us he
moved that it might be laid upon the table. The
was accordingly read, and ordered to be
laid upon the table"
From the Congressional Globe, Uol. 3, page79.
Speaking of slavery, Mr.. Buchanan said, after
stating he would leave slavery where the Constitu-
ton left it, with the States" For one, whatever
may be my opinions upon the abstract question oil
slavery, and am free to confess, they are those of
the people Of Pennsylvania, shall never attempt
to violate this fundamental compact
In answer to these opinions, Mr. Buchanan's
friends say he endorses the Cincinnati platform,
and that cures all his former errors It is right