Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-05
From the Richmond En- quinor.
NIE. Huchanan and the PACIFIC RniIroad

10
lse the profit"
From the Richmond En- quinor.
VIZ. buchanan and the Pacific Railroad
The silence which the Enquirer has observ-
ed in respect to Buchanan's recent Pacific
Railroad letter, provokes some of the less
generous Of our contemporaries to suspect US
of motives of no praiseworthy character
Against the justice of the accusation that the
Enquirer is never precpitate or violent in crit
icising the conduct of its own party, we have
no word Of protest; on the contrary, we readi-
ly acknowledge the truth of the charge, and
cheerfully incur whatever of odium is involV-
ed in the imputation. To affirm that we dis
semble or deny our principles from motives of
party policy, is TO insinuate charge which we
promptly and emphatically repel. 10 respect
TO no measures affecting the integrity of our
creed or the welfare of the country, will this
paper occupy an equivocal position, albeit the
svowal of its opinion may place it in antagO-
nism to the interests of the most ininent indi'
vidulls, or to the policy prescribed by the as
C, ndant influence of the party.
Why then this reserve on our part in dissen-
ting from the doctrine of Mr.. Buchanan's Pa
cifc Railroad letter. In the first place we
frankly confess that we are always reluctant
to criticise the opinions of the Chief of our
party; and we are equally unwilling to multi
ply the embarrassments which he must en-
counter in the administration of the Govern
nent.
But, to this inquiry we can return a more
special and perhaps more satisfactory ans
wer. If Mr. Buchanan had avowed himself in
favor Of the Pacific railroad for the first time
in his recent letter to California, we might af
feet something OF surprise and resentment IN
our Reputation of his policy. Inasmuch,
however, as his nominationsNVas originally op-
posed upon the ground that be advocated the
construction of the Pacific railroad by the
agency of the Federal Government-the truth
of which accusation was attested by his own
declaration in public speech-inasmuch as the
opposition party urged this objection to his
eection in the progress of the canvass, and in
proof of the charge, cited a resolution to the
same effect among the proceedings of the Gin
cinnation CoDventon-in view of these facts
we contend that Mr.. Buchanan is not Justly
obnoxious to the censure with which he is as
sailed by some of his supporters. lie Soas nom
mated By tie Democracy despite his incOstesti-
bic advocacy Of the Pacific railroad lie soas
elected notwithstanding his approval Of the re-
solutions Of the Cincinnati Convention, one of
uhich propOunded the reTy policy recommended
an has letter. 1t is, therefore, idle and uncan
did an as, tohO supported Nr. Buchanan, and
much more so an those soh0 claim the credit Of
his nomination, to affect Indignation against a
letter uhich merely re-GL1irms his ,oeU knoaon
position. We cannot maintain ear 0aoR cons
sistency By inJfjctiag uadeser0ed feproach upon
another.
~ To this statement some nil object that 10 ace
quits Mr. Buchanan at the expense ot'the Par
ty. And so unquestiOna6ty IL does to certain
e1teat
In a strict sense the late cancass scas not so
much a contest 6ettceeR parties as betuten Sec
tons The election did not turn upon the O.
binary political issues, but upon controversy
which oyershadowed every other question by
its own unapproachable Importance. The
Cincinnati Convention understood and wisely
prepared for the emergency. Extremely so.
licitous in regard to the predominant issues of
the canvass, il was somewhat less exacting in
respect Of subordinate matters. On the one
hand the Know Nothing party challenged
popular support for its own foolish and intole
rant principles. On the other, Black Republi
canism staked the result of the election on the
6 uccess OF the anti-slsyery crusade against the
South. These were the predominant, if moi
{ he exclusive, issues of the canvass, and in
obedience to their demands the Democracy
made preparation for the struggle. The slave
question was foremost in importance, and to
its exigencies the Cincinnati Convention espe-
cially adjusted it's action, both 10 the princi-
Piles of the platform and the nomination of
candidate. As the ordinary disputes of party
were subordinated TO the imperative issue of
the moment, 80 was Mr.. Buchanan selected in
reference rather to bis fidelity to the compro.
misses of the Constitution and his strength with
the people, than because of bis exact accor-
dance with the Democracy in every point of
practical policy or speculative opinion With
out complete concert Of action il would have
been impossible to avert the overthrow OF the
party, aud TO provide for that prime necessity,
il was essential 10 postpone every question
which involved any serious discrepancy OF
opinion. But 40 man renowned bis creed, or
engaged to acquiesoe IN any outrage upon bis
principles. Il was only agreed that the settle.
ment OF matters of inferior interest should b.
deferred until the country was rescued from
the destroying grasp of Black Republican,
ism.
Soch was our conception Of the policy Of
Mr.. Buchanan's nomination. II was Necessary
10 select man who could defeat the Black
Republican party-wbo was iucontesibly true
10 the interests of the Sonth--whO faithfully
represented the essential principles OF the ariy,
and In whose character was found every PROM
ise of A wise and pstriOtic Administration Il
was agreed that James Buchanan was the man
for the crisis.
BIZ this statement Of Mr. BacAahaa's position
IN respect 10 the Pacific Rail RaOd, and tAs cor
ditioa Of his nomination, 70 10 established that
his recent letter exposes him TO no jusi fmpHta-
lion Of bad faith or Inconsistency Bas, u e
equally nell sstablishsd that he party has con.
tracted no o6ligatiin % fofI0n Aa IN Ais policy.
For ourselres Soe distiaetiy announce that nkils
zoe sntsad 70 rupert the iHcomfng Administra
ton. IN al as great oejeets rita shafsoepsr Q,
zeal and ability pe eaH coHpaaad, IN regard q
this measure Of a Paclfc Rat head, re are ~
solvsf to adhere to car osA deliberate eonrictieHs
and 10 The time Aonored principles n az STATE
.Riqhts, Strict Construction DeraeeFaeg n Vir-
ginia.