The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-06-18

/ same spirit in which Douglass told Sumner
and his friends. "We will subdue you !"
Buchanan said the feeling which the North
manifested Mt the repeal Of the Compromise
was ga fanatical and reckless spirit" which
must be "put down. and that without
"the slightest thought or appearance OF wa
''vering, and without regarding any storm
(which may be raised againsp such an eff
fort. Is there evidence here Of different
and steadier and sounder spirit than that
manifested by Pierce and Douglass 2 Nay,
in the facts Of his political history, is there
any evidence at all of a different or more ad-
mirable spirit 1t becomes sincere and in
terested men to examine, and to judge hon
estly, and not be carried away by vague and
ungrounded impressions, or committed too
readily to course Of conduct which sub
sequent consideration Of facts may cause
them to regret.
Again Why was Mr.. Buchanan nominated
Was it because the impression which we
have alluded to prevailed also in the Con-
vention? Was it because change of poll
cy was thought necessary or desirable Was
| it because it was intcnted or designed that
there should be any changer II there are
doubts upon these points, read the following
explicit avowal Of the Convention;
Resolred, That the Administration of
Franklin Pierce has been true to Democratic
principles, and therefore true to the great in
terests of the country; in the face Of violent
opposition he has maintained the laws at
home, and vindicated the rights Of American
citizens abroad and, therefore, we proclaim
our unqualified admiration Of his measures
and policy
This resolution the President declared to
be carried unanimously. What, then, was
the motive which governed the Convention
in its choice? 1t is very plain that it was
not question of public policy. Was it not
altogether personal question Pa belief that
he was less obnoxious than either Pierce or
Douglass that he was man of more per-
sonal popularity than they And yet do they
not intend, according to their own proclama-
ton, that Buchanan shall perform the very
work which rendered Pierce and Douglass
| obnoxious? And if he has the same work
to do. and can be relied upon to do it, is he
in any wise to be preferred to them, by an
honest man? But will he do it? you may
ask. We have intimated our own opinion
from his antecedents and general character.
Perhaps you may question the impartality
or soundness Of that judgment. Then hear
Mr.. Buchanan himself. When the news Of
his nomination at Cincinnati was conveyed
to him, he was called upon to make speech.
He briefly replied, and from those remarks
VIC extract the following:
" Gentlemen, two weeks since | should
nave made you longer speech, but now |
have been placed upon a platform which |
most heartily approve, and that can speak for
me. BEING the representative of the great
Democratic party, and not simply James
Buchanan, | must square my conduct accor-
ding to the platform of that party, and in
sert no new plank, nor take one from it,"
We suppose oil doubt about the matter is
foreclosed by such language rs this, from
Buchanan himself. Even the resolution
quoted above is accepted by him. Is there,
then, sufficient reason, is there any reason,
for the anticipated advantages of Mr.. Blu
chanan's nomination With him do we not
see the same platform, the same policy, the
same willingness to serve his masters, the
platform makers, that have distinguished
the present Administration, and brought the
country to condition which makes patriots
and good men tremblc, and the considerable
portion of lifelong Democrats hesitate and
doubt rs to their duty? Is it not all Of the
same spirit, in policy and personal inclina-
ton, which has thrown suspicion upon
Pierce and Douglass, and caused honest
safe and dangerous men?
Reader, if you have been inclined to look
favorably upon the nomination Of Mr.. Bu-
chanan,--if you desired it in advance, or
were gratifed to learn it when il was fact
and If the ground Of your sentiment was
what We have indicated, think upon these
things eoolly and deliberately, and ask your
self if there seems reason for it. Ask your
self in the light Of these facts and consid-
erations, if, though he may not have the
stupendous audacity Of Douglass, he is La
Bile to exhibit less craven and abject spirit,
or pursue o less dangerous policy than
Perce;--if he does not represent q fair aver
age of their qualities and spirit, and il what
you regret or sbhor in them will not be like
ly to be repeated in his policy and conduct.
Elections 10 fiil Vacancies.
There is little time to make nominations