Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-07
Mr.. Buchanan,s Position.

The New Orleans UsttQ, Oh the iln uit, pun
fishes a communication from "A Mississippi
Democrat" ON the subject of Mr.. Buchanan's
position with reference to the slavery question
The writer calls attention to Mr. Buchanai's
course in 1888, when Mr. Calhouus celebrates
resolutions were under consideration in the Sem
ate, and from his votes and language on that oc-
cssion concludes:
lst That he was not opposed to the religious
agitation of the slavery question: species OF ag-
itation which Mr. Calhoun justly regarded as
more fatal than any other.
Cd. That he recognised the constitutional por-
or of Congress to abolish slavery in the District
of Columbia, opposing its exercise only on the
ground of its inexpediency-a position which the
position of Mr.. Van Buren, shows, affords no re-
iisble protection to southern institutions.
3d That he refused TO commit himself fully
ON the great question rs 10 the power OF Con-
.ress over the Territories of the United States !;
and "a far as he did 20, evidently left it to be
understood that the abolition OF slavery by Con-
gresS. in these Territories, would be no attack
on the States in which it exists.
The writer is not aware that Mr.. Buchanan's
opinions have undergone any change. THE re-
Elections cast by him on the institution OF slave
nv, in one of his speeches in England, and the
studied design he has manifested to keep aloot
from the excitement growing out of the repeal OF
the Missouri Compromise, are not well calcula-
ted to inspire confidence, that if his views have
undergone any change, it has been change for
the better"
The Washington Star, a thoroughgoing Pierce
paper, copies the communication, and the editor
remarks: 1T is due to the public that ere Dem
ocratic Presidential nomination be made, the par
ty shall have an opportunity to know precisely
what they are doing in making the selection. y
What will the Democracy of our Tenth Legion
District think of this assault upon their fsyorite
candidate, and the slur cast upon him by an Ex-
ecutive Organl
We allude to the matter with no desire to ex-
tract frem it party capital, and with no intention
of Joining in the cry against Mr.. Buchanan; but
rather for the purpose Of presenting it as an in
stance Of the absurd objections urged against
candidates, in connection with the subject OF
slavery, and particularly by Southern Democrats.
We are not familiar with Mr. Buchanan's ante
cedents, but from what we know Of them we re-
gard him as entirely reliable on this agitatins
question. He.has been endorsed as trustworthy
by the Tenth Legion of Virginia Democracy
he was endorsed less than four years ago by the
entire Virginia delegation in the National Dem
ocratic Convention-and yet other Democrats,
partizans of tine present Federal Executive, as
sail him as unfaithful to the constitutional rights
of the South. To prove his unsoundness, the re-
cords are searched, and it is found that many
years ago he gave votes and uttered sentiments,
which did not come square up to the line deh-
antly marked out by the great champion o.
Southern rights And what Northern man coul0
honestly do 500 For his shortcoming, however,
he is now denounced and must, in the opinion o.
some, be repudiated altogether viii not his
friends and supporters learn a lesson from this
treatment of the man who is their first choice fol-
the Presidency, and be more just to the opposing
candidatea Should Mr.. Buchanan be the nomi-
nee of the Cincinnati Convention, we may here4
after alude to the article OF "A Mississippi Dem
ocrat'-not that it has any influence upon our
minds, but merely as an offset to the assaults up
on Willard Fillmore, by those who support can
candidate from whom we have not half the
pledges he has given of fidelity to all the inter
ests Of the country. Southern Democrats are
apt to strain at gnat and swallow camel
They can easily discern the mote in an oppo-
nents eye, but are blind to see the beam IN their