Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-13
THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.


THE NEXT PRESIDENCY.
Messrs. Editors:-It ought to be- n subject OF con-
graduation to every Democrat, at TINS 'he, " "e
iieys that whilst each one has his preference, ana
would BIZ glad 10 have his favorte nominated NJ Cih
ciunat such is the state of feeling pervadinS tne
whole party, and such the appreciation III which .,e
men are held that no matter OH whom tte
nomination falls, all will be willing to give II c"ruI'
support From every part ut the country th's ise!
ing appears to bs the universal sentiment anu u Is
the sure harbinger Of success. When DID The De'
Inucratic party ever before enter upon campaign
under circumstances more truly encouraging WI
Buchanan, Judge Doug las. Mr.. Wise, Mr. nuhtor'
the present incumbent, indeed oil who have been
spoken of in connection with the office OF President
aud Vice Presduut, enjoy, III very hlgh degree, Tue
confidence of the party. For my own part, residing
rs do in slave Stale aud with all my rrcludlr's
on tho side of the South. should certainty prefer
either Mr. Wise or Mr.. Huptrr-not that their claims
are stronger Oh the score OF public services but be-
cause think their very locality some guarantee hat
in their hands the government would be administered
more in accordance with the wishes OF the south
They are shareholders, have been reared aud edu-
cated in the midst of slave populatIon anu are
identified with the institution, aud on thus ACCOUNT
and this only would give them my preference.
But, notwithstanding these are my views, would
waive my preference and go for Judge Douglas MI
Buchapan, or any other best Calculated 10 prouiotc
the interest of the party Judge Douglas has been
the warm advocate of the South, and an able eS'
FOUNDER Of the Constitution, consistent throughout
his whole political career. aud exhibits record lh"
will compare with any aud cannot fail to challenge
the admiration OF every Southern man. But Judge
Douglas is a young man, aud eau Afford To walt
Should he fail to get the nomination, It VIII mol be
because his services are not Appreciated HIS claims
will only bs postponed not overlooked lie has niliy
TO pursue the consistent course to DC certain ui
the nomination at some future day. Mr. Pierce nd
nistration will compare tavorabIy with that "t any
of his predecessors His messages are able anu
the government in his hands, has beeu conducted
with marked ability, and in strict accordance
with the principles Of the Constitution. On the
Southern question, his course, IN the MAN, mas
been every thing Southern man could have eH.
pected or required 1t might have been H. well, per
haps for him not have appointed Recder Governor OF
Kansas. As there were two territories Knocking NJ
the door of Congress for admission as States into the
Union, one of which could never nave Dsen other
than free State and the other by possibility might
have been slave STATE, and a. the Missouri Conprn-
mise WAS repealed with an eye 10 the accomplish
nent of the latter object and rs al act Of Justice I"
the SOUTH, the only natural course, 1t seems 10 m-'
would have been him Ia have appointed an anti
slavery man. taken from one of the free States, Gov
eruor OF Nebraska; and pro slavery man, kh0~n 10
b, rRt,He with The ntercsts ut THE South, Governor
fill 81 HE Saa saa j. rT9s @ ST a7e"t
sentiments. But the mischief done. Kansas
will never be a slave State, and, III practtcn p1'Mi
If rirtc have gained nothing by the repeal of the
true there principle involved Ii was entirely
matter OF policy, but was nevertheless, an error III
Judgment, brought about, II matters not whether by
the Recommendation of Northern or Southern men -
But would not question Mr.. Perce's fidelity 10 the
South ON account of this appointment. That it was
his object Kansas 10 the South as tsr as his
agency could dc il, have not doubt. But he fell
upon the wrong eIpedient In adopting an indirect
means accomplish direct end. lnallibllity, how
ever is not the attribute OF any man. IL is the only
tfl,I
has in other respects, bsen BRILLIANT and if cannot
yet my Choice and it should be the pleasure Of the
Convention to nominate Dir. Pierce for second term
| will bow in submission to the decision, and give him
my cordial and hearty support.
But of Dir. buchanan what shall say, or rather
what shall not Rayl Passing over the history ol
his early life, which has ever been spotless, will
consider his claims To the support OF the Democratic
party founded public and party services, after he
had attained to manhood ana entered Tie Congress
of the United States. In 1884, Mr.. Buchanan was
elected 10 the House of Representatives, position
which he retained for ten consecutive years. The
Journals of the House will show that, whilst he re.
manned member of tue popular branch OF Con-
grese, he touk prominent part in all The debates up
On great public questions He retired from that body
after the first Congress under the administration ut
Gen. Jackson, and was always the trusted and con-
sls,ent friend of that ius,.lous man. He was the
ardent friend uf Mr. MUuroes ADMINISTRATIONS rs he
was the active opponent Of the administration oi
Juo. O. Adams. He WAS always opposed 10 the con.
stilpt,onality of the United States Bank, and III
the hercD apd angry contests which eusutd
upon the election 9f General jackson to the
Presidency, he was distinguished champion
of the Democratic party. No Gan contrlbu-
ted more produce that stale of feeling, which gave
General jackson q prominent position before the ma
ton, a: candidate for the Presidency, than did Mr.
Buchauau-aEd, before the louise 81 Representatives
failed in the ial of 1924 to max oue. Mr.. buchanan
opposed the motion to sit with Closed doors with III
diynau eloque whilst the election was i'll progress
saying nhs protested against gopg lnte secret con-
clave, when the House should DECIDE this all-mpor.
tant Question. In 1879, he came into Congress tor
the last time and it was during thia session that he
displayed those eminent qualities that l1arEed him
"a one of the ablest constitutional lawyers Ut the age
On retiring from Congress in 1881, Mr. Buchanan
received from General Jackson the tender OF the
mission to Russia. He accepted. The archives vi
the legation, and Of the Stats Department, will show
how he discharged the important duties that were de.
volved upon bilD Or this occasion lie rendered his
country important and valuable ssrv;ces. Alter Mr.
Buchanan's return minister from the court CT 81.
Petersburg, the Democrats, in the Legislature OF
PsnnsylvaDia elected him to the Senate Of the Uni
ted States. he was twice elected to that body the
highest legislative body EpcT the EARTH and served IN
il from 1884 to l545 When he resigned u 10 hardly
necessary recaptulae the signal services OF this
distinguished man. during that period OF time
They must BIZ remembered by all and are
of world wide re4own. During the memorable eI
ira session of LOO days, when the opponents U! Demo
cracy, in the Senate Of the United States, had
resolyed 10 push through series OF Federal
measures, beginning with the Bank Of the United
States, and ending with the Bankrupt law, like faith
jul sentinel the watchtGwer, he was always in ms
seat and put forward The leader Of his party in those
trying emergencies. lie was M early and warm i'd
v0cate OF the annexation of Texas, and gave his
views in that body on that important question with
unsurpassed ability. 1t is unnecessary to resort to
proof to show how true he has been all great ques
lions involving the rights of the States and the rights
of the citizens of the States. On the delicate SUBJ
iect of slavery he has always been found with
the South, unwaverng and decided. In the exciting
debate in 1850 the subject of circulating ncendiH-
~ pamphlets through iCs Tas, he spoke repeat
eddy support Of the message u w, Van Bu-
.su, demanding the Interference Of Congress 10
prevent the dissemination OF fanatcai appeals among
the slaves Of the South And the question Of the
abolition Of slavery in tie District Of Columbia he
lie up to the hub With the South. His language Is
strong aad emphatic: "What tsays he,I is now ask.
I'd by these rasRsTaliss That 10 the district OF ten
miles district carved CIT ct two slayeholdns States
aud surrounded by them oa al sides, slave
ry shall be abolished What would bs tbs ef-
feet of granting their request Yuu would erect
a citadel in the very heart of The States upon
territory which they have coded to you for a
far different purpose, from WHICH aboltionIsts
and incendiares could securely attack the peace aud
sntety of the citizens. You establish spot within
tbs alaveholdlng States which would be city Of re-.
fuge tot runaway slaves. You create by law q cen
trail point, fsom vhich trains Of gunpowder may be
securely lsid extending to the surrounding States,
which may at any moment prod1ce destructive ex-
poson. BY passing ouch q law, you ini:Jauce the
enemy into the very bosom of these States aud u
ford him every opportunity to produce ssrvile in
surrect;on Il there any reasonable who can for
one mcmen: suppose that Virginia and Maryland
would have coded the District of Columbia to the
United States, if they lad entertained the slightest
-
pose They ceded it for your use, for your conve-
nience, and not for their own destruction. When
slavery to exist under the laws Of Virginia aud
Maryland then, and not till then, ought it to be abo.