Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-07-23


question of the annexation of Texas, Mr.. Bu-
chanan spoke regarding slavery as follows:
In reviewing the humble part which |
have taken in public affairs during period
not now short, there is nothing which can
review with more pleasure than the course
| have pursued Oh the subject of slavery
When | first came into the Senate found
the abolition excitement much more violent
than it is at present The mails were then
loaded with pictorial representations calculat-
ed to arouse the passions of the slave and ex-
cite him to vengeance. The danger Of SER
vile insurrection was imminent. Those en-
gagged in the agitation believed they were do
ing God service. Honest fanaticsm, in the
history of our race, has done as much evil
and shed as much human blood as any other
cause. The agitation threatened the exist
ence of the Union. 1t could not be suppos-
ed that fathers and mothers who went to bed
trembling at night lest their mansions might
be involved in flames before the morning, and
all horrors of serville insurrection might be
their fate, would long cling to union with a
people which encouraged such enormities.-
Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and
above all other laws.
Surrounded by these circumstances, |
took my stand on this question, from which
| have never since departed Under the con-
stitution, the Southern States have rights
guaranteed to them, and these rights l deter
mined to maintain, come veal, come woe. l
determined that / would never risk the bless
ings Of this glorious confederacy, with all the
benefits it holds out not only to ourselves, but
to the whole human race, for the sake of an
unavailing philanthropy. The constitutional
compact, are as much entitled to protection
as those of any portion of the Union.
81 stand by the constitution as it is; and,
so far as | know, a large majority of my con-
stituents have approved my course
"Before the fatal agitation of abolition
arose, this happy event gradual emancipa-
tion) in several of the States, was approach
ing, its consummation. The current of pub
lie opinion was running strongly in that di-
rection. In the house of delegates in Vir-
ginia, the grandson of Mr.. Jefferson had in
troduced proposition having in view gener-
al emancipation, which, if my memory serves
me, was lost by a single vote. The abolition
excitement at once put an end to these bright
prospects. Il Il | adhere to the con-
stitution as it is. May it be perpetualw
Can any northern man, unless he be dis
unionist or fanatic, object to Mr.. Buchan-
ans position, thus stated? 1t seems to us
not. Like the great majority of the people
of the North, he doubtless regards slavery q
political and social evil, and would consider
It's abolition a blessing to those States which
might abolish it. But as a citizen of the
Union, he would not hazard the public peace
:" for the sake of an unavailing philanthropy"
nor would he, for any purpose, invade consti-
tutional right
Mr.. Buchanan alluded to the fact that Vir-
ginia, prior to the rise of abolition excite
ment, was about ready to adopt plan of
gradual slave manumission. Kentucky was
as nearly ready. The abolition excitement
operated upon manumission in those States
as it has operated upon the question Of the
introduction of slavery into Kansas. 1t des-
troyed the cause of manumssion in the one
case, and has provoked slavery emigration
in the other
Mr.. Buchanan's views, ,comprehensively sta
ted in the brief extract we have made from
one of his congressional speeches, like his
views on all public questions--moderate and
just-commend themselves to moderate and
inst men everywhere.