Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-01-02
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
By KITCHIE. PRYOR 4 DUNNAyAST.
FRIDAY MoRNING, JANUARY ..
THE ENQUIRER AND THE PRESIDENT I.
ELECT

THE ENQUIRER AND THE PRESIDENTE 4
ELECT.
The article In the Enquirer of yesterday from the
Lancaster intcNgencer was obviously written in the
confidence Of the President elect and accepting u as
authoritative premonition of the policy Of the in.
coming Administration, we capuo, but congratulate
ourselves that have provoked 80 satisfactory re-
spouse: tire demands of the Southern Democracy.
It is tte the }ntcNgenccr deals only in negative do
claraliosa and vague generalties hut much may
be COW Se ny the spirit Of article and for the ab
seuce O -,ositive information we are iudemn6ed by
the sss re that Bigler does not speak the sent.
meuts iaf buchanan aud that Benton Is not in his
conHde&, So far, certainly, So good But tba; is
not all. lr co,enporary near Wheatland denies
that Mr4A lchana1 has avowed his purposes TO any
body, az refers 10 the Cincinnati Platform for the
only authoritative "adumbrstiln" Of his policy
This Is god again; but tue Ialeuigenoer goes evon
farther q declares that Mr.. buchanan will aebere
10 the pecges OF MS nomination, will conform to the
principles of the State Rights Democracy, and in his
Administration vii! Illustrate biz fidelity to the Con.
sttution and bis Impartial regard for all the various
section. ard Interests of the oo1iederacy. The En-
yuirer,concudes cotsmporsry, "may we'll reerate
its expression of confidence in III, President elect
The Er9ui1iT never intimHled any INSTRUCT OF the
Presiden. elect. In bis aDtecedent history, In tho
principles OF the party PLATFORM and 10 tho very pecu'
liar obligations which bind him to the Democracy Of
the South, We Aud every possible guarantee OF 6deiy
to our institutions. Mr. Buchanan 10 not hen man, we
take it, to blot the consistent record of his life by trea
cherous sacrifice Of principle to timd suggestions of
expedlency Unles, We entirely misconceive his cha-
racler it il not In his nature to turn bis back upon
men who have supported him with euch generous
confidence and ardor of friendship as the Democracy
Of the South displayed in the recent canvass. With
:hese satisfactory pledges on HE psrt We might pa.
tieu;ly awai, the ofoial development Of bis policy,
IL il were not for the lnper:ineat declarations Of
individuals who are understood to be in his conf
Deuce 1t Is not that We fear Mr. Buchanan, but tho
effect Of such positive representations Of his pur
poses. 1t s very far from our wsh to attempt any
thing like dcta,iun to the President elect but when
others pretend to speak by bis authority, We have
rghtto rebuke their presumption. Weare perfectly
willing that Mr. Buchanaa SHOULD determine the po-
lcy of hi. Administration from the suggestions Of his
own wisdom. but when persons with whom be sus.
tains intimate relations commit him, in the opinion
OF he5pubilc, 10 course IN wnlcn Tue democracy VI
the South cannot concur It is our duty to adlnouis
him of our dissent. 1t is service to the President
elect to inform him OF the feelings and position Of the
Southern Democracy. /. is their prerogative to de-
clare their sentiments, aud to protest in advance
against policy adverse to their nterestn, aud in
consistent with the engagements upon which they re-
ly for the protection of their rights. 80 far from be-
,raying any unnecessary impatiencs or anxiety, ir
regard to the measures of the Incoming Admnistra
tion, they have exhibited remarkable forbearance
and a very generous confidence. The Pacific Raj
Road letter, though In direct contradiction to the
principles OF the State Rights Democracy of th'
South was treated with tho utmost delicaoy and re
) serve, especially by tbs Richmond Enquirer,
In concluslon ne refsat. that Ee. nssd not the IN
definite protestatious Of the Lancaster lntegeaccr 4
assure us OF the good faith Of tho President elect;
do We want It's advice TO persuade US Of the prop.e
ty of awaiting the Official promulgaon Of his policy
But the expectations Of the Southern Dsrnocrac!
shall bs made .. own, az lessl iiruusi tie cvaa.m
Of this pepsr.