The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-17
THE COURSE OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS
THE POSITION OF PARTIES.

THE COURSE OF The AUM1NAoAnoA
THE POSITION OF PARTIES.
Mr.. Buchanan was the favcrite of the South
ern members of the Cincinnati Convention, es-
pecialy of the Virginia delegates. de was
nominated chic fly through Southern influence,
and was elected chiefly by Southern votes.
Only one State in the South voted against him;
only four of the sixteen free States voted tor
him. That Southern men and counsels should
control him, and give character to his Admins
tt alton, can surprise nobody who understands
the relations of Principal and Agent
The selection of his Cabinet showed that the
Public expectation was not to be disappointed.
Only ore member, the Attorney General, rep
resented Democratic free State, and he was
juriat, not a politician, or statesman, or
party leader. Two represented free States, In
which their power had gone down with that OF
their party. So thai it may be said that Messrs.
Cass, Toucey, and Black, the three members OF
the Cabinet from the free States, brought with
them no force to the Administration, appeared
as the legitimate opponents of no Party, held
III their hands no means for controlling or sha-
ping the movements of the So called Democracy
of the North VIVA! could be expected from
such men, so circumstanced, when confronted
| By energetic politicians from the South, each
| sustained by his State, and clothed with the
power of party leader? Messrs. Cobb, Floyd,
Thompson, ard Rrowu, could speak for their
States, and their section; Meesrs. Cass and
Toucey had been disowned by their States
| and section, and Mr.. Black, although citizen
of a Democratic State, could not speak for his
Party. To say nothing Of the timidity,
| INDIGESTION, ard want of tact, of the free State
members, and the boldness, energy, and man.
aging qualities of the Southern, the position and
circumstances of the latter, naturally gave them
the control OF the Administration. No one who
has studied the political career of James
Bnchapan, and remembers the influence that
determined his nomination and election, can
suppose for a n oment that he could Withstand the
unanimous and decided counsels of the South
ern members of his Cabinet.
| In the light Of these considerations, his vacil-
latirg and disngenuous course in regard to
| Kansas becomes Ineligible. 1t YVES desirable
to build up National Democracy, and recover
a majority of the free States from the control
ofthe Republicans. Governor Walker was there
fore instructed to pacify Kansas, and in order to
do this, to promisee q fair and full application
OF the Principle of Popular Sovereignty. The
Convention must be recognised, but its work
of course, should be submitted to the People
The Governor obeyed instructions, but his
speeches aroused the Indignation of the extre
mists of the South, who had resolved to have
Kansas peaceaby if possible, forcibly if neces
sary. The Administration was alarmed-the
| Southern members feared that the National
in the attempt to build " National Democra-
cy" in the North. Had Mr.. Buchanan been
resolute and Independent, he would have
promptly sustained and INDICATED Walker, but
| in Difference to his Southern counsellors, he al
| lowed MN 10 be apolasi1 al fo-, O q if he Lad
Just little transcribed his instructions, per
haps committed an error, but still had acted
from good irteptions-thus relieving himself OF
responsibility he ought to have been magnan
imous enough to assume.
This trimming policy was persisted in but
his Southern supporters, while offering stinted
apologies for Walker, gradually brought the
National Democrats of the South to assent to
the policy Of submitting to the Popular vote the
Constitution to be formed in Kansas
Then came the October election, demonstra
ting beyond all doubt the overwhelming majority
of the Free State men, dispelling the illusion
Of many shareholders in regard to the state oil
sentiment in Kansas and at the same time,
Governor Walker detected and rejected the
fraudulent returns from McGee and Oxford,
a fact necessarily throwing odium on the
cause of Slavery. No question was raised as
to the fact-it was admitted on all hands, proved
beyond the possibility of doubt. What was
the manly course for the President? To sus-
tain Governor Walker promptly-to vindicate
his acts, and assume their responsibility. But
his Southern counselloTs could not allow this.
No decided course was taken; for weeks, con-
Trajectory reports went abroad: the President
condemned the action of Governor Walker
the President regretted his action, although he
would excuse it on the ground that there was
real fraud-the President was embarrassed by
his action. Such were the reports. Vacilla-
ton and want of resolution BE ought to have
decidedly approved, or decidedly condemned
he did neither; and therefore he weakened his
National Democratic friends in the South. and
encouraged the Extremists, who clamored
more loudly than ever against Walker. Georgia
and Mississippi passed resolutions, demanding
his removal-and Georgia and Mississippi have
two representatives in the Cabinet 1t was al
this juncture that Governor Wise who had sus
tanned the policy Of submitting the Constitution
to the People of Kansas, and was understood
to be arrayed against Mr.. Hunter on this point,
issued an address, treating the matter of differ.
ance as one not at all vital, dsavowing all Cd.
position to Mr.. Hunter, and expressing the
opinion that, although it would be better to
have the Constitution submitted to the People.
still, if the Convention should send it first to
Congress, it ought not for that reason to be re-
jected.
The Extremists had conquered the South
was united-it was easy to see what would be
the course ofthe Administration. Their counsels
prevailed in the Convention. 1t refused to sub
NIT the Constitution to the People, but sub
mitted to them the proposition in regard to the
introduction, not existence, of Slavery in the
new State, thus disregsrdipg every pledge made
by Mr.. Buchanan, directly or through Mr..
Walker, to the People of Kansas; and the Pres.
ident, after six months of irresolution and vacil.
lation, at last assumes settled position. He
is with the Convention with the National De-