Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-08-23

nave alluded; cOmpeHeu TO ADMIT tnNt tiAo 1e'"v-
cratic party the only party that possesses strength
in every State of the Union, and can hold out any
hope of uniting the patriotism Of the whole country
against the supporters Of Fremont; and compelled,
too, to admit the soundness Of the principles for
which the Democratic party is contendng, at least
SO far as the questions connected with slavery are
concerned tc southern supporters of Mr.. Fillmore
are driven to rely few frivolous charges against
Mr. Buchanan, personally, to furnish an excuse for
their extraordinary conduct. l propose to devote
few moments and but few moments, to their ex-
animation. /
l. 1t is said that, fortyfaur years ago. he declared
that if he had drop of Democratic blood in his
veins he would let it out 1t is strange that per-
sons, who have themselves always displayed such
moral aversion to Democratic blood, and everything
else Democratic should urge such charge against
Mr.. Buchanan. But it is not true that he ever made
such a declaration. Mr.. Buchanan himself, many
years ago, publicly, in the newspapers, pronounced
it false; and large number OF his neighbors, over
their signatures, also pronounced it false. Not
particle of proof has ever been adduced to establish
its truth.
2. 1t is said he was Federalist He shouldered
his musket as private, and marched to Baltimore,
to defend it against the British. If he FEEDER
alist it is pity there not more Federalists OF
the same sort in the country.
g. 1t is said that he approved certain resolutions
passed by public meeting in Lancaster, in 1919,
| disappearing of slavery in the Territories. That
was thirty years ago. Mr.. Buchanan may
have been at the meeting; he may have been on the
committee and still not have approved the resolu-
tions as every one knows who has been in the habit
of attending public meetings. Fey of us whoud like
to be held responsible for all that was said and done
| at all the public meetings we have ever attended,
| But, admitting that he did then approve them, nc
has been in public life continuously since that time
| He has been member of Congress almost constant
ly since the slavery agitation commenced, and not
single vote has he given hostile to southern in
sttutons. Throughout all that agitation he has uni
formy sustained lights Of the saveholdng States
and commanded the confidence of the purest States
men of the South. For more than thirty years he
has been conspicuousy before the country as pub
lie officer, having voted in Congress almost every
question that has arisen in regard to the nst-
tuition of slavery and never, until it became neces-
sary for the Know Nothngs of the South to frame
an excuse for dividing the South did any southern
man charge him with being unsound on the slavery
question.
If further proof were needed OF the high position
he occupies this question: it will be found in his
letter to the Democratic State Convention of Penn
sylvana, written shortly before his nomination. and
in his letter accepting the nomination for the Pres-
dency, and pledging himself to carry out the prnci
Piles set forth in the Democratic platform.
The Lancaster resolutions date back thirty seven
! years, whilst MIR. Buchanan was mere YOUTH and
before the slavery agitation had assumed anything
like its present FORM In 1888, nearly twenty years
afterwards, when in the prime of life, and candi-
date for Congress- and when the abolition societies
at the North were at the very height of their trea
sonablc efforts against the South, Mr.. Fillmore de-
lberately wrote as follows to an abolition society:
BUFFALO, Oct. II, 1885,
| SIR: Your communication the 10th instant,
chairman of committee appointed by " The anti
| Slavery Syciety Of the county Of Erie" has just
come to hand. You solicit my answer to the follow
| ing questions:
- Do you believe that petitions to Congress on the
subject of slavery and the slave trade ought to be
ivpd road and arn6 Inv no
representatives of the people?
2. Are you opposed to the annexation OF Texas to
this Union, under any circumstances, so long as
slaves are held therein?
g. Are you in favor of Congress exercising all the
constitutional power it possesses to abolish the in
| telna slave trade between the States?
4. Are you in favor of immediate legislation for
the abolition of slavery in the District Of Columbia?
l am much engaged, and have no time to enter
into an argument, or to explain at length my
sons for my opinion. shall therefore content N.Y.
self, for the present. by answering all your interro
gatores in the Gyirmatire, and leave for future
occasion more extended discussion the subject.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
He elected to Congress. and throughout his
| whole career there uniformly voted with Giddngs
| Sade, Adams and the worst enemies of the South.
Whilst MIR. Fillmore was thus cordially endorsing
doctrines of the extreme Aboltionists, and, as a
member of Congress, was on all occasions voting
with Adams Giddings and Slade, Mr.. Buchanan
constituents contending against these doctrines
and in favor of the constitutional rights of the South
On the 18th of August, 1888, Mr.. Buchanan ad-
dressed his fellow citizens at Lancaster Pennsylva
mia, the political questions issue in the State
elections then pending 1t will be observed that this
| speech almost cotemporaneous with Mr.. Fill
mores Erie letter. and the contrast is striking
| between the broad and comprehensive views of the
statesman, and the narrow and illiberal dogmas of
the abolition candidate for Congress The whole
| ho ", NyIncy
page 80. Mr.. Buchanan said:
"There was one subject Of vital Importance to the
peace and prosperity Of the Union, which had not
occupied much of the attention of the former speak
ers, and therefore he would make few remarks
upon it. He referred to abolition. Was Joseph
Rtner (then running for Governor) an Abolitionist?
! This was most interesting question. If he was,
then friend to the existence of our glorious Union
ought to vote in favor Of his election as Governor"
Before the spirit of abolitionsm had been conured
up from its dark abode by political fanatics and hot
headed enthusiasts, all comparatively peaceful
and tranquil in the southern States. Slavery had
been most unfortunately introduced into these States
by our British forefathers 1t there at the adop-
ton of the Federal Constitution and this Constitu-
ton did not merely leave it there, but expressly
guaranteed to the saveholding States their property
in slaves and the exclusive dominion over the ques-
ton OF slavery within their respective borders Such
is the clear language of the Constitution ITSELF and
such was the construction the first Congress placed
upon it. Without this solemn constitutional COM
pact the southern STATES would have been par
| ties to the Union and the blessings and benefits
which it has conferred, and will CONFER not only up
On our own country, but upon the whole human
race, would never have been realized. Those in the
free States who determine to violate this compact
must determine to dissolve the Union. The one is
the necessary consequence of the other"
At the session of 1885, (the Congress imme-
l II,