Washington sentinel., 1856-03-20

of Pennsylvania, to defend and protect her in
the fullest enjoyment of her constitutional
rights.
II is these resolutions-the patriotic fullness
they contain, the just sentiments that charac-
terize them-that have so fully commended
the claims of JAMES BUCHANAN to the Presi-
dency. Let them be read attentively, and
pondered carefully, by not only every true
Democrat, but by all men who are disposed
fairly to construe the provisions Of our COM
mon compact Read them.
Resolred. That in the present distracted con
dition OF parties, in which sectional and par
tia issues have been allowed to attain dan
gerous supremacy, we recognise in his policy
of the Democratic party that which rests upon
the Constitution as its basis; and that it is the
party which above all others has, in the Ian
gnage of the illustrious Madison, even con-
tinued ITO hold the union of the States as the
basis Of their peace and happiness; to support
the Constitution, which is the cement of the
Union, as well in its limitations as its authori-
ties; to respect the rights and authorities re-
served to the States and to the people, as
equally Incorporated with and essential to the
success of the general system; and to avoid the
slightest interference with the rights of con-
science or the functions of religion, SO wisely
exempted from civil jurisdiction"
Resolued, That the equality of the States is
the vital element of the Constitution itself, and
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
/ unu1A nd ,ata oil otto 40 IN
| erect odious distinctions between those who
are entitled to share the blessings and benefits
of our free institutions.
| ResOlped, That in the repeal OF the act
known as the Missouri Compromise act and
the passage efthe act organizing the Territories
] of Kansas and Nebraska, free from >unconstitu-
tional restrictions, the last Congress performed
work of patriotic sacrifice in meeting the
! demands of sectional excitement by unshaken
adherence to the fundamental law.
| Resolred, 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 recognise in it
the application to the Territories of the United
States, Of the rule of 'equal and exact justice
to all men, of all sections of the confederacy,
which was designed by the trainers of our gov
ernment, and which was defined as one of its
essential principles by the immortal Jefferson.
Resoloed, That unerring indications point to
the Hon. James uchanan-distinguishe alike
by his high personal character, his tried Demo
cracy, his great abilities, experience and emf
nent statesmanship-as the nations choice for
the Office of President of the United States for
the term commencing on the 4th Of March,
1851; and that we do hereby instruct our dele
gates to the National Convention to assemble
in Cincinnati in June next, to use their efforts
to secure him the nomination to that Office.
Resolred, That at period when sectional
ism, in its worst aspects, attempts to under
mine the foundations of the federal constitu-
tion, and when an abolition majority aspires
to supremacy in the popular branch of the ma.
tional legislature, and with the prospect of
difficulties with foreign nations, who for their
purposes may seek to intercept and stay the
4 progress of free institutions on this continent,
in order that they may more effectually arrest
the advancing footsteps of our republican ex-
ample, the statesmanlike qualities of James
Buchanan-his long and well tried services III
defence of the Constitution-his intimate know
ledge Of all our relations with foreign countries
and his large and enlightened experience
point to him as preeminently the man to lead
the victorons columns Of the Democracy in
| November next