M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-07-03

and regulate their domestic institutions in
lhelr own way, subject only to the Consti.
tuition Of the United States" This princi.
pie will surely not be controverted by any in
dlvldual OF any party protesting devotion to
popular Government. Besides, how vain
ana lllusory would any other Fprinci-
pie prove in practice in regard to the Ter.
ntones! This is apparent from the fact ad.
mltted by all, that after a Territory shall
nave entered the Union and become a State.
no constitutional power would then exist
which could prevent it from abolishing or es.
i,alolishmg slavery, as the case may be accor.
ding to its sovereign will and pleasure.
Most happy would il be for the country
il this long agitation wereat an end. Du.
ring lis whole progress it has produced no
practical good to ANY human being, whilst
II has been the source ofgreat and dangerous
evils. Il has allenated and eslraneed one
portion of the Union from the Other, and has
even seriously threatened its very sxistence.-
10 my own personal knowledge, it has pro-
duced the impression among foreign nations
that our great and glorious confederacy
is in constant danger of dissolution:-
This does us serious injury, because ac.
knowledged power and stability always
command respect among nations, and are
among the best securities against unjust az.
gression and in favor Of the maintenance of
honorable peace.
May we no! hope that tits the mission of
the Democratic party, now the only survi.
wing conservative party in the country, ere
long to overthrow all sectional parties and
restore the peace, friendship ard mutual con.
fidence which prevailed in the good old time,
among the different members OF the confede.
racy. Its charcter is strictly national, and
1t therefore asserts no principle for the guild.
ance Of the Federal Government which is not
adopted and sustained by its members in
each and every State: For this reason il is
everywhere the same determined foe of all
geographical parties, so much and so Justly
dreaded by the Father of his country. From
its very nature it must continue to exist so
long as there is Constitution and Union
to preserve. A conviction Of these truths
has induced many Of the puesGthe ablest and |
most independent Of our former opponents,
who have differed from us in times gone by
upon old and extinct party issues, to come
into our ranks and devote themselves with us
to the cause fthe Constitution and the Un.
ion. Under these circumstances, most
pledge myself, should the nomina-
ton Of the Convention be ratified by the
people, that all the power aud influence, con-
possessed by the Executive,
shall be exerted in a firm but concilatory
spirit, during the single term | shall remain
in office, to restore the same harmony among
the sister States which prevailed before this
apple oe discord, in the form of slavery agit.
alton, had been cast into their midst. Lett
the members Of the family abstain from inter
with the exclusive domestic con-
Germs of each other, and cordially unite, on
he basis Of perfect equality among them.
selves, in promoting the great national OBJ
ects Of common interest to all, and the good
work will be instantly accomplished.
In regard to our foreign policy, to which
-ou have referred in you communication-it
squite impossible for any human loreknowI.
dge to prescribe positive rules in advance,
o regulate the conduct Of future admins
ration in all the e&i9ehcics which NAV arise
n our various and ever changing relations
With foreign powers. The Federal Govern
nent must OF necessity exercise a sound dis |
,retion in dealing with international uues-
tons as they may occur; but that under the
strict responsibility which the Executive
must always feel to the people Of the United
States and the Judgment Of posterity. YOU
will therefore excuse me for entering into
whilst | heartily concur with Won
N the general sentiment, that our foreign
lffairS ought 10 be conducted with such Wis.
loin and timness as to assure the prosperity
If the people at home whilst the interests and !
Ionor Of our country are wisely but inaexi
y maintained abroad. Our foreign policy
ught ever to be based upon the principle
t doing justice to all nations, and requir-
ng justice from them in return; and from
his principle shall never depart.
Should be placed in the Executive Chair.
shall use my best exertions to cultivate peace
nd friend ship with all nations, believing
MS to be our highest policy as we'll as our
lost imperative duty; but at the same time
shall never forget that in case the necessity
iould arise, which l now do not appreheni,
ur national honor must be preserved at all
azards and at any sacrifice.
Firmly convinced that special Provi-
ence governs the affairs of nations, let us
umbly implore his continued blessing upon
ur country, and that he may avert from us
he punishment we justly deserve for being
iscontented and ungrateful whilst enjoying
rivileges above all nations, under such
and such Union as has nersrI
cen vouchsated to any other people.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.