Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-19

! by the Compromise Of 1850, but he has dis
tinctly and emphaticaly declared that the re-
peal Of the Missouri Compromise and the
principle of State and popular sovereignty en-
bodied in the Nebraska Kansas law must
stand as the settled law upon that subject. We
quote from his letter to the Hon. Mr.. Slidell,
of Louisiana.
"The question has been settled by Congress,
and this settlement should be infexibly main
tanned. The Missouri Compromise is gone and
| gone forever. But no assault should be made
| upon those democrats who maintained it,
provided they are now willing in good faith to
maintain the settlement as it exists. Such an
understanding is wise and just in itself.
II is well known how labored in company
with southern men to have this line extended
TO the Pacific ocean. But it has departed.
The time for it has passed away, and verify
believe that the best-nay, the only-mode
now left of putting down the fanatical and
reckless spirit Of abolition at the North is to
adhere to the existing settlement without
the slightest thought or appearance ofwavering,
and without regarding any storm which may be
raised against it."
i We presume that no Southern man can OBJ
ject to this declaration as perfectly satisfactory.
Nor could the most capious complain that he
could not be at Washington and at st. James
at the same time. AS well might the friends
of this venerable and distinguished statesman
object to his competitors that they did not bat
tie with him for the admission of Texas, or for
the extension Of the Missouri Compromise line
across California.
i But there is even as strong, and perhaps
equally efectual, declaration made by the
friends of Mr.. Buchanan in the great State of
Pennsylvania, endorsing his position and
pledging with enthusiasm the true Democracy
of that noble commonwealth to their mainte
nance. We make no apology for publishing
entire, and calling the especial attention Of the
citizens Of Virginia and the South, to the dis
tinct and unequivocal resolutions adopted by
the late Pennsylvania Democratic State Con-
vention at Harrisburg, commencing the Hon.
James Buchanan as the nations choice for
President and adopted unanimously and with
enthusiasm:
Resolred, That by the general consent of the
wise and virtuous of all nations, the trainers of
the Republic of the United States, exhibited
in their individual characters and in the result
of their public deliberations, a degree Of virtue
and q practical craftsmanship to which the
history OF the world affords no parallel; that in
no part ofthe Federal compact is tile scisdom
i Of our fathers more conspicuous, than IN lear
ing the achole question Of slarery to The States
IN their separate capacities, and that IN The pro-
uision for The redelirery Of 1uyitires escaped
Of justice an appreciation Of the ualue Of the
Union, an attachment to its preservation, an
acoidance Of one-sided philanthropy and i'm
practicable theories Of government, ,chich pre-
sent a proper example, for the guidance and
imitation of as their descendants
Resolned, That we look only to the Consti-
tuition, and the exposition thereof which has
been afforded by the practices OF Democratic
administrations, for the chart of our policy.
That these constitute until the fundamental
lao IS changed By methods achich itself pro-
rides, ne highest Ian of our obedience as cai-
Gems; and that zoe utterly discard that partial
and exaggerated sympathy, The attempt to car
ry actich into practice is at the peril Of oar
dearest interests as nation, and threatens the
intliction Of erils Of te,Joid magnitude TO those
,ohich IL proposes TO heal.
Resolred, That the equality of the States is
the vital element of the Constitution itself, and
that all interference with the rights of the
States, by those who seek to disregard the sa-
cred guarantees of the past and by all others,
should be rebuked with the same spirit that
would denounce and repudiate all attempts to
erect odious distinctions between those who are
entitled to share the blessings and benefits Of
our free institutions.
Resolued, That the effort 10 direct tie po,cer
of the government By dnti-sldpeTy agitations,
under The uarious names and phases Of Free
.Soilism, Anti Nebraskdisml, Flsionism, and
Republication, and by interfering wiM the
rights Of conscience an establishing a religious
test as a qualification for office, By the secret
oath. bound society of the Kno,c-N otlings, is
opposed both 10 the letter and the spirit of the
Constitution and to the earnest teachings and
practice of its earliest and most honored adj
administrations.
Resolred, That IN the repeal o. The act kno,cn
as the Missouri Compromise Act, and the pas.
sage Of The act organizing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska, free from nnconstitu-
tional restrictions, the last Congress performed
a ,cork Of patriotic sacrifice, IN meeting the de.
mands Of the sectional excitement by mistaken
adherence 10 the fundamental lar.
Resolred, That This legislation cannot be |
deemed unnecessary, bat that IL was erpedient |
TO meet the questions Of ,chich IL disposed, and
ichich could nerer admit of more easy settle |
ment than at present. That zoe recognize i,i IL |
the application 10 The Territories Of Tie United |
States Of the rule Of "cqudl and erdct justice
to all men," Of all sections Of the contederdcy,
,ehich pas designed By the trainers Of our COR
ernment, and ,ohich pas defined as one Of its
essential principles By The immortal Jefferson.
Resolued, That the Democracy Of Tennsyl.
rama, following the counsel Of some Of The |
pisest statesmen Of Tie North and South, ccre
ready on more than one occasion IN The past 10 |
ertend the Missouri Compromise line TO The Pa
cifc, so as TO make IL the basis Of final set.
Element Of the question Of slavery IN the Terri.
tories; but uhcn this proposition was rejected,
IN l848, on Tie ground that IL inpolced an IN
due concession 10 the South, by the reyy men
pho no0 cldn,or for restoration Of tie Ms
souri line, there seemed 10 be bat one pise alter
natipe leti, and that ,cds to refer The whole
question Of slarery IN The territories 10 the peo-
pie thereof 10 be regulated as Hey may deem
proper; and zee, therefore, cheerthlly ertend