The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-25

1hdb dAbOA q CuoAA hafO
the Union and become a State, no Con-
stitutional power would then exist which
could prevent it from either abolishing
or establishing slavery, as the case may
be, according to its sovereign will and
pleasure.
Most happy would it be for the coun-
try if this long agitation were at an end.
During its whole progress it has pro-
duced no practical good to any human
being, whilst it has been the source of
great and dangerous evils. It has alien
ated and estranged one portion of the
Union from another, and has even threat
ened its very existence. To my own
personal knowledge it has produced the
impression among foreign nations that
our great and glorious confederacy is in
constant danger of dissolution. This
does US serious injury, because acknowl-
edged power and stability always com
mand respect among nations, and are
amongst the best securities against un-
just aggression and in favor of the main
tainance of honorable peace.
May we not hope that i, is the mis-
sion of the Democratic party, now the
only surviving conservative party of the,
country, ere long to overthrow all Sec
tional parties and restore the peace,
friendship and mutual confidence which
prevailed in the good old time, among
the different members ofthe confederacy.
Its character is strictly national, and it
therefore asserts no principle for the
guidance of the Federal Government
which is not adopted and sustained by
its members in each and every State.
For this reason it is everywhere the same
determined foe of al. geographical par
ties, 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 a Constitution and q
Union to preserve. A conviction of
these truths has induced many of the
purest, ablest and most Independent of
our former opponents, who have differed
from us in times gone by upon old aud
extinct party issues, to come into our
ranks and devote themselves with US to
the cause of the Constitution and the
Union. Under these circumstances, l
most cheerfully pledge myself, should
the nomination Of the Convention be rat
flied by the people, that all the power
and influence, constitutionally possessed
by the Executive, shall be exerted, in a
firm but coneiliatory spirit, during the
single term shall remain in Office, to
restore the same harmony to the sister
States which prevailed before this apple
of discord, in the form of slavery agita-
ton, had been cast into their MIDST.
Let the members of the family abstain
from intermeddling with the exclusive
domestic CONCERNS of each other, aud
cordially unite, on the basis of perfect
equality among themselves, in promo
ting the great and national objects of
common interest to all, and the good
work will be instantly accomplished.
In regard to cur foreign policy, to
which you have referred in your com
munication-it is quite impossible for
any human forcknowleGge to prescribe
positive rules in advance, to regulate
the conduct of a future administrator
in all the exigences which may arise in
our various and ever changing relations
with foreign powers. The Federal Gov
erument must Of necessity exercise q
sound discretion in dealing with inter
national questions as they may occur
but this under tie strict responsibility
which the executive must always feel to
: the people of the United States and the
Judgment of posterity.@Y will there
, fore excuse me for not entering into par
| ticulars; whilst l heartily concur Will
t you in the general sentiment, that our
foreign affairs ought to be conducted
l with such wisdom aud frmncss as to in.
t sure the prosperity of the people al
home, whilst the Interests and honor oil
our co@Ltry are wisely but ihfexibly
maintained abroad. Cur foreign policy
ought ever to be Gased upon the princi.
i pie of doing justice to all nations, anC
requiring Justice from them in return
I and from this principle | shall never de
S part.
Should 1 be placed in the Executive
j Chair, 1 shall use my best exertions tt
cultivate peace aud friendship with al
e nations, believing this to be our highes
e policy as we'll as our most imperativ,
d. duty; but at the same time, l shall ney
err forget that in case the necessity
e arise, which l do Eqt now a~pprehcnd
y cur national. rights and national homo
mus. be preserved at all hazards and a
any sacrifice.
Firmly convinced that a special Prov
is idence governs the affairs of nations, lie
US humbly implore His continued bless
d ings upon our country, and that he ma
Re avert from US the punishment we justl
C deserve for being discontented and I'LL
grateful whilst enjoying privileges abov
y ali nations. under such a Constitutio
y aud such a Union as has never bee
vouchsafed to any other people.
! Yours, very respectfully,
se JAMES BUCHANAN.
S, Hon. JOHN f. WARD, w. A. RIcHARl
n SON, HARRY HIRBARD, w. D.. Law
is RENEE, A. G. BRowN, JOHN L. Ma
ID MING, JOHN Forsyth, w. A. PREsTo
it j. RANDOLPH TUCKER, and HoRAT
Id Seymour, Committee, SO.