The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-05-16

American Union, Mr.. Buchanan was selected
as the Northern Senator who should present the
bill admitting Arkansas, and advocate it before
the senate, which he did with signal ability,
and MIR. Benton was chosen as the Southern
Senator who was to pIesent and advocate the
bill admitting Michigan into the Union. Du-
ring the exciting debates on these issues, Mr.
Buchanan spoke repeatedly. He took the broad
ground that the people of the territory, having
formed Republican Constitution, after the mo-
del of the other States could be and should BE-
admitted into the Union irrespective of slavery,
and that Congress should not interfere 10 pre-
vent their admission for any such reason as is
now urged against the admission of Kansas 1t
was during the debate on the admission of Mi
chigan that hr used these memorable words, on
the first of April, 1886, in his place as Sena-
tor for Pennsylvania
"The older gror, the more nm inclined to
be uhat is caiied State rights alan. The
peace aud security of this Union depend upon
giving 10 the Constitution literal and fair con-
struction, such as would be placed upon i, bv
plain, Intelligent man, and not by ingenious
construct i0nS to increase the powers of this
government, and thereby diminish those of the
States The rights of the States, reserved 10
them by that instrument, ought ever to be held
sacred. II, then, the Constitution leavrs 10
them 10 decide according 10 their own discre-
ton, unrestricted and unlimited, who shall be
electors, it follows a. Necessary consequence
that they may, if they think proper, confer up
resident aliens the right of voting" Sc.
&c,
And at the same time, in the very same
speech from which the above is COPIED, lie
made the following eloquent illusion TO the a.
doPted ciizrns;
"The territory cedrd by Virginia TO the Uni
ted States, was sufficiently extensive for an im-
mensp empire. The parties TO this compact Of
ceSsion contemplated that it would form FIVE
sovereign States of this Union. At that early
period, We had Just emerged from our rpvo!u-
ti3narv struggle, and none Of the JEALOUSY was
then felt against foreigners, and particularly a
gainst Irish Foreigners, which appears 10
haunt Somp geniirmen. There had then been
no attempts made 70 get up native American
party IN his country. The blood Of the gall
laoi Irish had flown freely upon every battle
field in defence Of hu liberties which we now
enjoy. Besides, the Senate will we'll recnlIect
that the ordinance was passed before the aGop-
tion OF onr present Constitution, and whilst the
power OF naturalization remained with the sew
rral Stats. In me-, and perhaps in all Of
them, It required 50 short a residence, and SO
little trouble 10 De changed from an alien 10 a
citizen, that the process could br performed
without the last difficulty. | repeat that no
JEALOUSY whatever then existed against foreign
ers.''
a Aaer the splendid campaign Of 18Th, which
resulted in ii,t. election Of Mr. Polk, to which
result Pennsylvania, led by Jaues Buchanan.
contributed hvr electoral vote, The President
rlec', casting his eye OVER the long roll Of Dem
cratic Statesmen then living, weighing the
claims and qualifications Of each and all, pro-
iaundly sensible OF the exciting questions which
must come up for adjustment during his admin
iStraiion, aud after consulting the venerable
sage then in the sunset Of lie in the shades of
the Hermitage, invited Mr.. Buchanan 10 accept
the portfolio OF the State department, the bead
of his cabinet and in l845, Mr.. Buchanan IT,
sgusd his seat in the Senate ft0 which hr had
only 8trIv been re-elrctrd.) and became Srcrr-
targ ri State, under President Polk. Nor is it
necessary that W. should recapituIate his srrvi-
ceS in that department They are fresh and IA
miiar in all minds. His argument in favor of
the clear and unqueStionab'e title of the Ameri-
can people, to all Oregon, won for him the APP
plauSp of the whole liberal world, and was pub
li<hed in several languages in Europe. The
State papers on other great questions, proceed
ing fion his pen during the four years he re
mainpd in the department Of Slat-, were so
many contributions to the column which cele-
hfatpS his eminent fitness. and his unsuEied IN
l-grity. When the WllIuot Provso Was intro
dncrd into Congress, it was James Buchanan
who at once denounced, and exposed and rallied
the Democracy against IT,
1t was during the administration Of Mr.. Polk
that Mr.. Buchanan, IN his letter TO the Drmoc-
racy Of BerkS countv, Pa, first recommended to
the North and South, that the Missouri line
should he extended TO the Pacific, and that this
should be made the basis OF the final settlement
ofthr slavery question in the territories. The
war with Mexico, consequent on the anneXa-
ton of Texas. gave us a vast empire III addition
TO the area which constitutes our beloved Union,
and in the Argument growing out of the ac-
QUESTION OF California, Mr. Buchanan la
bored earnestly and effectively on the side OF
piorrrs>. Mr. Buchanan'S letter on this subject
is Of record, and speaks for itself. 1t is easy 10
recall the vrluperalion which bis proposition
TO extend the Missouri line called forth from
the fanatics OF th,. North. from those who now
ClaNlOT iOf us TtNloldtt"i, anu WIN IN iiSdi'
forgrtlllnrSs oftheir hostility 10 il few years
ago, set themselves up as It's peculiar cham
pions.
Mr. Buchanan's recommendation of an erfen-
Sion Of the Missouri line was far in advance of
public sentiment 1t as hailed in the South
by all parties as an exhibition OF frmntSs only
too rare among Northern men, and II was APP
preciatrd by ar truly national men Of the fee
States Would il not be strangely unjust, if
this proposal of MIR. Buchanan should now b.
cited TO prove him unsound upon existing isSupS