The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-08
the PRESIDENT ELECT, AND THE POLICY OF OUR
y l 80. ~ GnYERNMENT


the confidence Of his political opponents in his admitted
possession Of the various qualifications requisite for sue
actor ia the political history OF his time Mr. Buchanan
experience Of atars has endowed him with the anpest
knowledge OF the policy OF the government OF the crcu
stances connected with the origin and controlling the
progress OF that policy and of those recently deye
oped influences which likely 10 affect Its prosecution
The policy of the United States government was inaugu
rated with the adoption OF the constitution. II had us
origin ia the experience of national dshonor and indivd
ua suffering and discomfort under confederation feeble
and inefficient because loose and disjonted II wanted
the compactness requisite for strength Poweress TO exc
its decrees u could not raise revenue sum
cient meet its obligations maintain force adequate
the public defence and protection perous experience
of its incompetency mpeled the people OF the United
States" to adopt the constu under which we live IN
order to form perfect Union This is declared TO
be the object for which the constitution OF the United
States was ordained and established in the preamble to
that instrument The policy then impaired to The govern
ment by the people who constituted il was Union poll
cy The sagacity and patriotism of that day dA"" mad
the true remedy for the evils which ,be neone
and applied II Ia constructing government based upon
the firm foundation ~ a compact Union. That Union
0o within its limits territory and
r.se population compared with the growth Of which II
the germ But was large enough comprise great
varieties of soil and climate and corresponding diversity
pursuits and interests. Therefore, it required great
wisdom to devise basis which 1t could be formed,
with the conditions requisite to to 1t durability and
permanence And when that basis had been arranged,
there still remained the task of obtaining the assent to of
communities separated by distance and still by dssen
ent views Concession and personal sacrifice were largely
demanded and selfnterests is formidable barrier for
conviction to But the spirit of disinterested
patriotism prevailed and the constitution adopted
1t operated with magic influence to educe order out of
confusion. Commerce expanded, agriculture was re-
munerated, manufacturing industry began to thrive,
an ample revenue flowed into the public treasury, and
the growing power OF the country and the advancing
prosperity of the people vindcated the wisdom and
halowed the services of the founders of the republic.
IT then became the policy Of the government to seek to
perpetuae these blessings Emanang they did from
IA more perfect Union" that policy required course of
acalt af tla
the Union of the States This to be accomplished by
reconcng conflicting interests by maintaining the prompt
equal and impartial execution of law and administration
OF justice and by extending the benefit of the means pro-
vided for the common protection to secure from mo-
lestaton and injury and to shield from DANGER every
citizen Of the United States In reviewing the egsa-
zion of the country 1t becomes apparent that these
the benehcent principles upon which its government has
been conducted; and the progressive development of
It's resources, the rapid ncrease Of its population the
vast expansion of its territory and the strength of its
moral and material power attest the value of the policy
that has prevailed and encourage to perseverance in its
pursuit OF this policy Mr.. Buchanan is the representative
To its continuance he has been elected the pres
dency of the United States The danger that might be
impered by preponderance of sectional influence inn
PEELED the party that have borne him into 10 select
for the Executive of their will of tested prudence
ability and patriotic devotion Equally in the sircum-
stances attending his election and in the political educa
ton and character OF the have assurance in
spec TO the policy of his administration Associated in
public life by the common link of Jealous patriotism with
all the great statesmen who have illustrated the countrys
annals during the last forty years. he possesses perfect
familiarity with their opinions and far their views
were impressed upon affairs he has the light of observa
ton and experience to guide him in selecting the to
be employed in achieving the end to which all have aim
edthat of promoting their countrys prosperity great
ness, and glory Starting under suth auspices as these
considerations indicate look for four years of prudent
cautious and conservative government conducted with
scrupuous respect for the just claims and constitutional
rights of all sections othe Union, and attended with the
bappest results in the Of domestic tranquility
the promotion of the general welfare and in the tendency
of such administration to secure the blessings OF ber
ty to ourselves and our posterity."
We give in connection with the above the following let
ter written by Mr. Buchanan Whealand the 10th of
June last accepting the nomination made by the National
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati Although this ad
mirabe letter has already appeared in columns
that the people of the United States have decided that
James Buchanan shall be their President will bs
read with interest
In accepting the nomination, need scarcely say that
accept In the spirit the resolutions constituting the
platform of principles erected by the Convention To this
platform intend to conne self throughout the
believing that have right the candidate of the dem
ocrac party by answering nterrogatoes TO present new
and different issues before the people.
II will be expected that in this answer should
specially refer the subject OF each of the resolutions and
shall therefore confne 1yself TO the two topics most
prominently before the people.
And in the frat place. cordially in the sent
ments expressed by the Convention the subject Of civil
and religious liberty. No party founded religious or
political Intolerance towards class Of American citizens
whether born in or in a foreign land long
continue TO exist In this country We all equal before
God and the constitutions and the dark spirit despoism
and bigotry which would create odous distinctions among
citizens viii be speedily rebuked by free and
enlightened public opinion.
The agitation the question Of domestic slavery has
long distracted and divided the people of this Union and
aienated their affections from each other This agitation
has assumed many forms since m commencement but II
to be directed chiefly the Territories aud
judging from its present character think may safely
anticipate that IL is rapidly approaching fnaityb The
legislation OF Congress respecting domestic slavery
derived has been from the original and pure fountain
Of legitimate political power the will Of the majority
promises long to alay the dangerous excitement This
legislation is founded upon principles ancient free
government ITSELF and In accordance with them has sim
State shall decide for themselves whether slavery shall
shall not exist within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas act does than give the
force OF law TO this elementary principle Of egovernmeut
declaring II to be the intent and meaning this act
not to legisae slavery into any Territory State
exclude thererom but to leave the people thereof per-
ecty free to form and regulate their domestic
in their way subject only TO the constitution Of the
United States This principle will surely conro-
vered by any individual OF any party protesting devotion
to popular government Besides how vain and ilusory
would any other principle prove In practice In regard
the Territoes This Is apparent from the fact admitted
By n that after Territory shsl have entered the Union
and become State constitutional power would then
exist which could prevent from either aboshing or es
tabshing slavery as the case may be according TO lite
creign win and pleasure.
Most happy would II be for the country this long ae
tation end Daring its whole progress has
produced practical good TO any human being whilst
has been the of great and dangerous evils II has
aenated and esranged portion OF the Union from the