The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-09
CONSERVATISM AND THE DISTINGUISHES.

their allies are, and what they are driving at
CONSERVATISM AND THE DIsUNIoEIsTs.
The timid Conservatives who support james
Buchanan under the impression that his cleo
ton will put end TO agitation, and inaugu
rate an Administration peaceable at home and
abroad, should reconsider the question.
General Pierce was man not given to con
tention. There was nothing in his character
to authorize the prediction that he would vol
unfairly blow up excitement on the Slavery
question, or originate measures necessarily in
yOlving Its serious agitation. But, the Slave
Interest, which shrinks from no movement cal
cu!ated to augment its power, exacted from him
as the price of its support, conformity to its
policy, and the moment be was elected, sur
rounded him with its counsellors. Deficient in
devotion to Freedom AS a Principle, with nc
clear intelligence of the despotism Of Slavery
with little moral courage, and less forecast, he
bowed to their dictation, and became the in
strument of their ambition; and in carrying
out their demands, found himself, without hav-
ing deliberately intended it, the worst agitator
in behalf of Slavery that has ever afflicted the
country. What has Conservatism gained by
this adventure?
James Buchanan, his Northern friends tell
rs, is a peace-loving nan-not in favor of rash
experimenis-not devoted to any sectional in
terest-pledged by his character to do justice
at home and abroad. He is a respectable
mattresses in black-wears a white neck
CLOTHS always sedate and decorous. He is
Conservatism embodied.
Let us see lie has never been a bold lead
er of his Party, but always an accomplishing
follower. With inclinatons once Oh the side
of Liberty, he has never hesitated TO sacrifice
them at the demand ofthe Slave Power. Among
all public men, that domineering Interest
has found none more amiable and accommo
dating. We know of no draft II has made upon
him which he has protested. He does not be-
heve, any more than GAneral Pierce did four
years ago, in the Political Despotism of Slavery
He has not particle more firmness or courage
than General Pierce has. AS from the latter
so from Mr.. Buchanan, was strict conformity
to the policy of that Despotism exacted, as the
price of lis support. Had his friends in the
Convention refused to endorse the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, to pledge him to the en-
forcement Of the acts of the bogus Legislature
In Kansas, and to commit him to the policy of
Slavery Extension, as practically carried out by
the present Administration, he could never
have been nominated. His nomination was
the endorsement Of the Slavery Propsgandism
flagrantly initiated by the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise. The Power which deter
mined the issues in his nomination, and is now
endeavoring to consolidate the slave States in
his support, and seduce Just enough free States
to his election, will, if successful, govern
him. What is there in Mr.. Buchanan which
authorizes the faintest hope that he will prove
refractory Yielding, submissive throughout
his vigorous manhood, can you expect the man
of seventy suddenly to harden into iron2 He
will remain still, mere clay in the hands of the
potter. He who has never denied any demand
OF the Slave Power, will not dare to defy the
counsellors it viii dictate to him. He will be
but the instrument of the same Power which
has laid open the Territories of the Union to
Slavery, forced the evil upon Kansas, cursed it
with fraud, violence, and such code as can
never be obeyed without ignominy, and has
insidiously provoked conspiracy against the
Union. And is it to this instrument that Con-
servstism looks to still agitation and tranquil.
lie The country?
1t is Slavery Propagandism that has revolu-
tionized the politics of the free States, and ar
rayed the slave States rs a unit i'm favor of
Buchanan. Slavery Propagandism is the arch
agitator. And will you still the agitation by
perpetuating the csuse-harmonize the coun-
Try by electing President committed TO that
which has divided it? Do Messrs Wise, Sli.
dell, Brooks, Atchison, and Cobb, anticipate
that the election of Mr.. Buchanan is 10 be fol-
lowed by the restoration of Freedom to Kan
sas, and the nonextension of Slavery? DO
the EnqnirerS and Hammers of the South
dream that by that event the interests of Free
Society, which they pronounce a failure, are
TO be the gamers? Is their Zeal for Buchanan
stimulated by the expectation that his Admin
istration would give security to Free Labor in
the Territories?
Who are his supporters in the Slave States ?
Men who sheer at the greasy mechanics I"
of the North who hold that the only fit and
comfortable condition of the laborer is Sla-
very; who denounce the mechanics of the
slave States as disloyai, when they cry ont
against slave competition who reckessly as
sail the merchants of Southern cities, as trail
torous, whenever they choose to withhold their
support from the favorite candidates of the
Plantation Oligarchy; who discourse on the
blessings Of Dissolution of the Union, and
announce that the Union must and shall be
destroyed, should Mr.. Buchanan fail TO re-
ceiye votes enough TO elect him. These are
Lis supporters-and is it by bringing such men
into power and consideration, that the peace
And harmony of the country are to be secured I?
Will the People of the Free States be concili-
aied 10y an Administration shaped and colored
by such Influences? viii their alarm, their
d'sirus', their Indignation, their resentment.
their determination to right the wrong of the
repeal OF the Missouri Compromise be extin-
guishsd by the ascendency of men ready TO
ADD insul; to injury, full of cursing and bitter
neSs' bent On Prostituting the Federal Govern.
ment To the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of an Interest
which fears not God, and regards not man?
Look at The confidential friends of Mr.. B,,.
caanan IN the free States-Forney. Sickles
Sanders. Are their names good for a WISE