Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-11-29
The Pacific Railroad.
We publish below the letter Of Mr.. Buchanan in
favor Of the Pacific Railroad: 1-z.eas.

"nAAHAANys - ~ 1ase =.
SIR: have received numerous communications from
the proposed Pacific Railroad AS it would be impossible
for to answer them ALL deem it most proper and res
Psey a tsis duty the Of Cao
MIA, act in perfect consistency with the sefmposed re-
for the Presidency not raising new
and different issues from those presented by the
convention because that convention has itself adopted
resolution in favor of this great work.
then desire to state briefly that concurrng with the con-
Pacific railroad derive authority this from the
constitutional power declare war; and the cansttu-
onal duty Ito repe invas'ons In my judgment Congress
construction of this road strictly for the purpose
al Defence that has to erect Notifications at the mouth Of
the harbor of San Francisco Inv eed the necessity with
view repe foreign invasion from California great in
the The other Neither will there be danger
from the precedent for it almost impossible conceive
that case attended by such extraordinary and
edened circumstances again in history
Yours very rssp yaMES BUCHANAN.
To B. F. WASHINGTON, Chairman Dem. State Central
Committee, California
We were at one time under the impression, and
stated that resolution the subject adop-
ted by the Cincinnati Convention. We were misled
by the proceedings as published in the Weekly
Washington Union, in which it was stated that the
resolution was voted down, and no further notice,
in those proceedings, taken of it. But we find,
in the official proceedings in pamphlet form-for
copy of which We are indebted to Hon. Thomas Ruff
fin that the following resolution adoptedjust
before the Convention adjourned, by vote of 205
to 81 North Carolina voting unanimously against it,
Rore That the Democratic party recognize the great
Importance in political and commercial point of view ola
between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF this and
that the duty of the Federal to exercise
that object thereby binding the union of the States in
dissoube bonds and opening to the rich commerce of Asia
fha hIcSiSS
and the great lakes of the Morrill,
The Richmond Enquirer of Wednesday last
contains the following remarks the subject which
have entire approval With the Enquirer.
intend to stand by principles, without regard to
men and with that paper I" are resolved to ad-
here to deliberate convictions and to the time
honore6 principles of the Staterights, strict-eon
struction Democracy of Virginia" of North Carroll
IA, and, we may add of the country generally. We
propose 10 add nothing to what the Enquirer has
said nor shall We at this time enter upon any dis
cusson of the Pacific Rail Road project. That
paper, while dissenting from Mr.. Buchanan's views
on the question, has done him entire justice; and
we repeat entirely concur with it, as follows:
"The silence which the Enquirer has observed in respect
to Mr. Buchanan Pacific Rail Road letter. provokes
of motives of praseworhy character Against the
justice of II accusation that the Enquirer precp
tate violent in crtcsng the conduct of its party
we have word of protest; the contrary, readily
acknowledge the truth of the CHARGE and cheeruy incur
whatever of odm is involved in the impuation. To affirm
party policy insnuate charge which promptly
and enphaticay repel In respect to measure affecting
the integrity of creed the welfare of the country will
this paper occupy equivoca position albeit the avowal
opinion may place in anagonsm to the interests Of
the most eminent individuals or to the policy prescribed
Why then this reserve on our part in dissenting from the
doctrine OF Mr. Buchanans Pacific Rail Road letter! In
tant to crtee the opinions of Chief of party and
which he encounter the administration of the Gov
eminent.
But this inquiry we can return special and
perhaps satisfactory answer If Mr.. Buchanan had
avowed himself in favor of the Pacific Rail Road for the first
time in his recent letter to California might affect some
thing of surprise and resentment in reputation Ut his
policy lnasmuch, however, as his nomination was orig
nly opposed upon the ground that he advocated the
sructon Of the Pacific Rail Road by the agency OF the
Fedora. G"vernmenthe truth of which accusation was
atescd by his declaration in public speech inasmuch
the cp oson party urged this objection to his election
in the progress of the canvass and in proof of the charge
cited resolution to the effect the proceedings
contend that Mr. Buchanan justly obnoxious to the
with which be is assaed by of his supporters
tblc adv caey Of The Pacific Rail Road lie was elected
Notwithstanding his approval of the resolutions of the Gin
cnna'i Convention OF which one pr"po"nded the very P"
cy recommended in his letter 1t is therefore, idle and I'M
candid u.s. who supported Mr. Buchanan, and much
in these who claim the credit IF his nomination. to affect
Indignation against letter which merely reafrns his well
known position. We cannot maintain consistency
by ntc.ing undeserved reproach upon another. =,
To this statement will object that it acquits Mr..
buchanan at the expense of the party and unquesona-
bly, II does, TO certain extent.
In the late not so much CON.
test cwren parties as between The election did
not upon the ordinary political issues but upon con-
trovcrs. which oyesimdwed every other question by its
own u,;a.roaclmbc importance. The Cincinnati Conven
ton un stood and wisely prepared for the emergency
Extremely soctous in regard the predominant issues
the canvass was somewhat less exacting in respect of
subordinate matters o. the one hand the know Nothing
party challenged popular support for ITS. own 1oosh ana
|
saked the result of the election the of the anti
slavery crusade against the South. These the pre-
dominant if not the exclusive issues the canvass and in
obedience their demands the Democracy made Prepara
agd to- its Snes Cincinnati
ton especially adjusted its action, both in the principles
ordinary disputes party subordnated to the mper
alive issue of the moment, Mr. Buchanan selected
Constitution and strength with the people than because
of his accordance with the Democracy in every point
pete CONCERT Of action It would have been impossible to
avert the overthrow of the party and to provide for that
whe nTeve any OF opinion
man ced his creed engaged acquesee IN
his IF agS Be
until the country rescued from the destroying grasp OF
| Black Rerubca ism.
nomination 1t was necessary to select man who could
defeat the Black Republican party-who was nconestiby
ed the essential principles of the party and in whose char
found every promise Of wise and patriotic ad
| agreed
| man for the crisis.
By this statement of Mr. Buchanans position in respect
to the Pacific Rail Road and the conditions Of his nomna
nation established that his recent letter exposes him
to just mputation of bad faith inconsistency But it
equally we'll established that the party has contracted
obgat ion to follow him in his policy For ourselves we
distinctly announce that while intend to support the in
coming administration all great Objects with what
Of zeal and ability command in regard to this
of Pacific Rail Road resolved to adhere
deliberate convictions and to the mehonored
principles of the Sate-rghts Strict Construction Democra
| cy of Virginia"