Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-06-25


ter territory shall have entered the Union
and became State no Constitutional now
would then exist which could prevent il 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 country if
TINS long agitation were at an end During
Its whole progress, it has produced no practi-
cal good to any human being, whilst it has
been the source of great, and dangerous evils.
1t has alienated and estranged one portion of
the Union from the other, and has even ser;
ously threatened It's very existence To NV
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 acknowledged power and sta
billty always command respect among nations
and are among the best securities against un-
just aggression and in favor OF the mainte-
nance of honorable peace.
Nay We not hope that it is the mission of
the Democratic party, now the only surviving
/ conservative party, ere long to overthrow all
sectional parties and restore the peace, friend
ship and mutual confidence which prevailed
IN the good old time, among the different
members Of the confcderacy It's character ia
principle for the guidance of the Federal Gov
ernment which is not adopted and sustained
by It's members in each and every State For
this reason it is everywhere the same deter
mined foe Of all geographical parties, so much
and so justly dreaded by the Father of his
Country. From its very nature it must con-
tinUe to exist so long as there is Jonstitu-
tion and Union to preserve. A conviction
of these truths has induced many of the purest,
the ablest and most independent of our former
! opponents, who have differed from Us in times
gone by upon old and 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, I
most cheerfujly pledge myself, should the
nomination Of the Convention be ratified by
the people, ehat all the power and influence,
/ consntutionally possessed by the Executive,
shall be cxerted IN firm but csncilatory
! spirit, during the single term [ shall remain
/ IN office, TO restore the same harmony among
/ the sister States which prevailed before this
apple Of discord in the shape Of slavery agi-
| ton, had been east into their midst Let the
! members of the family abstain from intermed-
! ding with the exclusive domestic concerns Of
, each other, and cordially unite on the basis
of perfect equality among themselves, in rro-
noting TIE great national objects of common
iultIeSt 10 ali, anu iIAc -OLl NoEh Will De III
! stanly accomplished.
In regard to our foreign policy, to which
! you have referred IN your conmunication-it
/ is quite impossible for any human foreknowl-
! edge 10 prescribe positive rules IN advance. 10
regulate the conduct OF q future administra-
ton in all the exigcncies which may arise in
our various and ever changing relations with
foreign powers The Federal Government
must of necessity exercise sound discretion
/ in dealing with international questions as they
may occur; bat this under the strict respon-
sibility which the Executive must always feel
to the people of the United States and tho
Judgment of posterity. You viii therefore
excuse me for not entering into particulars
whilst | heartily concur with you in the gen
eral sentiment, that our. foreign affairs ought
to be conducted with such wisdom and firm
ness as to secure the prosperity of the people
at home, whilst the interests and honor of our
country are wisely but infexibly maintained
abroad Our foreign policy ought ever to be
based upon the principle Of doing jHstce to all
/ and requiring justice from them IN return,
and from tbis principle I shall never depart.
Should | be placed in the Executive chair
l shall use my best exertions to cultivate peace
and friendship with all nations. believing this
TO be our highest policy well our most
Imperative duty; but at the same time shall
never forget tnat - case the necessity should
arise, which do not now apprehend, our ma
tional rights and national honor must he pre-
served at all hazards and al any sacrifice.
Firmly convinced that special Providence
governs the affairs Of nations, let Us humbly
implore lis continued blessings apon our coun-
try, aud that he may avert the punishment We
justly deserve for being discontented and un-
grateful whilst enjoying privileges above all
nations, under such Constitution and such a
Union as has never been vouchsafed to any
other people Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN
Hon. John E. Ward, W ~ Richardson, Har-
rv Hib5ard, W B Lawrence, A G Brown,
John I. Manning. John Forsyth, w Pres
ton. j Randolph Tucker. and HOratio
Seymour, Committee, &C.