The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-11-12
MIR. BUcHANAN's Porcy.


The opposition papers are already busx
with speculstions ir regard 10 the probae
policy of Mr.. Buchanan. Those who ai0
curious in regard to this matter will probably
find as much reliable information In his let
Ter of acceptance of the Democratic nomina-
lion as they can obtain from any other source.
The letter will be read with new interest
since bis election. II is as follows:
In accepting the nomination, neod scarcely
say that accept in the same spirit, the reso.
lutions constituting the platform of principles
erected by the Convention. To this platform
istend ID conine myself throughout the
canvass, believing that have no right, as
the candidate Of the Democratic psry, by
answering interrogatores, 10 present new and
different issues before the people.
twill not be expected that in this answer
should specially refer to the subjeci Of each
Of the resolutions and shall therefore con.
fine myself to The two topics now most prom
inently before the people.
And in the first place cordially concur in
the sentiments expressed by the Convention
on the subject of civil and religious liberty
No party founded on religious or political in
tolera1ce towards one class of American cit.
izens, whether born in our own or in for
eign land, can long continue TO exist in this
country. We are oil equal before God and
the Constitution and The dark spirit OF des.
poiisrn aud bigory which would create obi
Gus distinctions among our fellow ci,izers,
will be speedily rebuked by free and en-
lishleued public opinion.
The agitation on the question OF domestic
Slavery has too long distracted and divided
the people of this Union, and alie mated their
affections from each other. This agitation
has assumed many forms since its COM
mencemenl, but il now seems directed chief.
ly againu. the Territories, judging from its
present character we safely anticipate that
1t is rapidly approaching "finality." The
recent legislation Of Congress respecting do.
meslic Slavery, derived, as il has been, from
the original and pure fountain of legitimate
political power, the will of the majority.
promises ere long, to allay the dangerous ex-
element. This legislation is fourded upon
principles as ancient as free government it,
self, and in accordance with them, has sim
ply declared that the peocle of Territory,
like those of State, shall decide for them
selves, whether Slavery shall or shall not ex-
isl within their limits.
The Nebraska Kansas Act does no more
than give the force Of law to this elementary
principle OF self-government; declaring il TO
be ''the true intent and meaning OF this act
moi to legislaie Slavery into auy Territory or
State, nor 10 exclude il lherefrom but TO
leave the people thereof perfectly free 10
form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way, subject only 10 the Consli-
tuition Of the United States" This principle
will surely not be conirovered by any indi.
vidual of any party protesting devotion TO
popular government. Besides, how vain and
illusory would any other principle prove in
practice in regard to The Territories! This
is apparent FROM The fact admitted by all, that
after Territory shall have entered the Union
and become State, no Constitutional power
would then exist which could prevent il from
either abolishirg or establishing slavery, as
The case may be, according 10 its sovereign
will and pleasure.
Most happy would il be for the country il
this long agitation were at an end. During
its whole progress it has produced no pracli'
cal good 10 any human being, whilst it has
been the source OF great and dangerous evils
II has alienaied and es,ranged one portion Of
the Union from the other, and has even seri-
ously threatened its vely existence. To my
own personal knowledge, it has produced the
impression among foreign nations that our
great and glorious confederacy is in constant
danger of dissolution. This does US serious
injury, because acknowledged power and
stability always command respect among
nations, and are among the hest securities
against unjust aggression, and in favor Of the
maintenance Of honorable peace.
May we not hope iha, it is the mission OF
the Democratic party, now the only survi-
wing conservative party of the country, ere
long to overthrow all sectional parties and
restore the peace, friendship and mutual con-
fdence which prevailed in the good old
time, among the different members Of the
confederacy. Its character is strictly nation
al, and Il therefore asserts no principle for
the guidance OF the Federal Government
which is no, adopted and sustained by it's
members in each and every State. For this
reason !, is everywhere the same determined
foe of all geographical parties, SO much and
so justly dreaded by the Father Of bis Coun-
try. From its very nature, it must continue
to exist so long as there is Constitution and
a Union TO preserve. A conviction of these
truths has induced many of the puresi, the
ables.. and most independent Of our former
opponents, who have differed from US tn
times gone by upon old and extinct party
issues, to come into our ranks and devote
themselves, with us, TO the cause of the Con-
stiiu,ion and the Uniog. Under these cir
cumstances, most cheerfully pledge myself
should the nomination of the Convention be
ratified by the people, that all the power anG
influence, constitute ionalIy possessed by the