Washington sentinel., 1856-04-03
FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, JAMES BUCHANAN, OF
PENNSYLVANIA, SUBJECT TO THE
DECIsIas 0F THE NATIONAL CON-

n r.
DECIsias or THE NATIONAL CON-
vENTIoE.
The indications for some time past in the
Sentinel have been favorable to the nomina-
ton, by the Cincinnati Conventions, Of JAMES
BUCHANAN, Of Pennsylvania, for the Presi
dency. Although our own mind was fully i'm
pressed with the fact that he was the most suit
able candidate ., this time for the FIRST office
IN the gift Of the American people, we were
not inclined hastily or unadvisedly to commit
the political joGrnal we conduct formally to
him. We preferred to wait and see it anAcon-
siderations would arise which might change
the inclinations Of our mind on this subject
None such have occurred; but, on the contrary,
many incidents have transpired to strengthen
our conviction that JAMES BUCHANAN is the
man who, al this moment, unies in his per-
sonai aud political character more Of the ele-
ments of hthess to bear the standard of the
principles oi the Democratic State-Rights'
party than any o those whose Justly distin-
guished u mes will be presented at the Cincin-
matt Convention. We do not intend to be mis-.
understood BY This unequivoca expression of
opinion as in the least degree rejecting upon
the very high claims and eminent qualifications
OF Other distinguished statesmen in our coun-
try-by 10 means.
We yield 10 none in a sincere acknowledg-
ment OF, and most unaffected admiration for.
their eminent services TO our country and our
party. We sball support, with the exception Of
Franklin Pierce, tahom we do not class with
Douglas, Bright, Dickinson, Hunter, Rusk
and other prominent gentlemen whose names
have been mentioned in connection with the
Presidency,) any nominee that the Democratic
convention shall deem, after fair canvass ofthc
qualifications of ell, the most suitable for the
coming contest. Our reasons for the excep.
ton We have made already familiar to our
readers and the public generally and will con-
tinue to be enforced through our columns in
future
There has never been, perhaps, period
since the formation Of our confederacy preg.
nant with greater importance 10 the interests
OF our coun'r.g nd the perpetuity Of our free
and behefcens institutions than the present.
None Of 50 great and vital importance. 1t is.
indeed, the eliminating point which is to try
most fearfully the practical merit Of our ex-
pertinent and the indisputable rights of the
States composing the confederacy under that
sacred instrument Of our compact, the Consti-
tu,ion! This instrument has already and re.
peatedly been violated by members Of the
Unionsan fanaticism and sin are so startinply
psrvading one section of our country as to
threaten with destruction the whole political
and social system Of the Government.
We shall reserve for future numbers of the
Sentinel a discussion Of the different causes
which, in opinion, have conspired to effect |
this unhappy condition Of things. Suffice il. |
in this connection, to say, that the clouds |
which lower upon our political and social
household are most portentous, and eminently
require the steady hand Of some one of our
most experienced statesmen to dissipate and
dispel IT, VINO this will be- as We have said
before, We are not able to determine; but we
trust in God The Cincinnati Convention will
bestow the honor upon one who for four short
years at least, can forget himself and his own
personal ambition, in a jealous devotion 10 his
country's interests aud his country's honor.
Such man we believe JAMES BUCHANAN. who
in the numerous exalted positions he has occu. |
pied, whether conferred by his own State or
the Federal Government, has attracted the ad.
miration Of bis own and the respect Of other
countries.