Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-04-16
MR. BUCdANAN's BID FOR THE SOUTH
ERN VOTE
From the Washington Union.

HSome discussion having taken place upon the
position Of blr. Buchanan on the Kansas-Ne-
orasaa Dill 'Fe are permitted to copy the fol-
lowing extract from letter addressed by Mr..
buchanan TO Senator SIidell, dated London, on
the 18th OF December last. when there seemed
to be no difference as to Mr.. BIS thorough iden-
tity with the Democratic party on this, as on
all other issues. 1t will be seen that Mr.. B.
speaks of the Kansas-Nebraska bill with his u
| suai frankness and decision. We are confirm
ed in our impression, by this letter, that no
man. no set of men, and no newspapers, are at
all warranted TO speak authoritatiyely for Mr.
Buchanan upon this upon any other ques-
ton. His own words speak for themselves
The letter of Mr.. buchanan was not, it will be
seen, intended for publication, but the gentle
man to whom it was addressed has thought it
necessary, alter the editorial article in the U
Mon OF Wednesday last, to lay it before the
country
ssThe question has been settled by Congress,
-Ss and this settlement should be inhexibly main
g tanned. The Missouri compromise is gone,
g and gone forever. But assault should be
GO made upon those democrats who maintained
e' it, provided they are now willing in good
ss faith to maintain the settlement as it exists.
" Such an understanding is wise and just in
| ss itself.
(: 1t is well known how labored in compa-
g ny with southern men to have this line ex-
&c tended to the Pacific. But it has departed.
\
| @ ly believe that the best-nay, the only
ss mode now left of putting down the fanatical
&c and reckless spirit of abolition at the North
s' is to adhere to the existing settlement with
ss out the slightest thought or appearance OF
| ss wayering, and without regarding any storm
:! which may be raised against it."
| The Lancaster Independent Whig comments
as follows on the foregoing BY the above it
will be seen that Mr.. Buchanan has plunged
| deeply into the turbid waters of the Kansas
question, and placed himself along side of
| Douglas and Pierce in the mud of slavery
| He had before occupied conservative grounds,
having expressed himself in favor of sustain
| ing the Missouri Compromise; but the en-
chantment of the Presidential meteor has warp
ed his Judgment, intoxicated his hope and
prostituted his principles. 1t will be observ-
| cd however, that Mr.. Buchanan endorses squat
! ter Sovereignty, with protest. sENo assault,
| che says) should be made upon those demo-
Gratis who maintained the Missouri Compro-
mise 20
He appears sensible of the fact that he is ta-
king bold leap after Douglas & Co., and begs
Justify for the privilege of endorsing their in
iquity. He also reminds them of show 1 Ia
bored in Company Nth Southef7, men to have
the Missouri Compromise line extended to the
Paciic.'' He is proud of-he boasts of the
bloodless services he rendered the country ssin
company ,cith Southern men," in endeayoring
| to have that line extended to the Pacific, Civ
ing to slavery millions of territory that had
ever been free Perhaps he forgot that Doug
las and the South insist that the Missouri Com
,,ror,,i co ,,o . unconstitutional opd orove o,4
rage on the rights of slave owners,
But upon what ground is ~ that Mr.. Hucha-
nov, ro~.- ---o,Iulescence in sssettlement"
of this vexed question, which overthrows and
destroys the principles in defence of which
his former labors were bestowed? Why, ssthe
Missouri Compromise is gone and gone forey-
eri'' ssIthas departed!" 1t is not the ground
now taken by the South-it is wrong in prin-
ciple, and an outrage on Southern rights
ssThe time for it has passed away and he eeve-
rily believes the best and only plan now TO put
down abolitionism is to adhere to the existing
settlement
The principle which underlies the Kansas
Nebraska act ia approved and endorsed With
great zeal and elacrity he straddles the hobby
Of hisIparty and is ready to ride whithersoeyer
il may go, without rein or curb, for he verify
believes that the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise and the Introduction of Squatter Sow
erelgnty sis the best, nay, the only mode left
of putting down fanatacism % Is it not enough
that he s'verily believes it the best mode''-of
keeping his party in power Mr.. Buchanan
is shre,cd man, and has learned wisstd.ccna from
his experience. In 1912 he opposed sthe sec
ond War of Independence" and would have
freely opened his veins .f one drop Of Demo
cratic blood had been in them but experience
taught him that Federalism would not lead
him to power, and he abandoned it.
In 1915 he denounced s:foreign influence
bat soon saw that years must roll round before
the people could be aroused to a sense of its
evils and he could not wait, he therefore aban
doned Americanism and rose to power and
place. His abandonment, first of Federalism,
and next Of Americanism, has been rewarded
Could such man find the slightest difficulty
in acqucscing in any measure, however, op-
posed to his preconceived notions of right,
when such acquiescence might lead to his ele-
vation to the highest Office in the world p
Surely not, and more especially if permitted
TO enter protest that no assault should be
made upon him for this change.
1t is amusing to hear some Locofoco sheets
talk about the nominees of the Philadelphia
Convention. The Netrs says it reminds one
r.