The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-15

ton, as II regards Slavery, SGuatter Sovereignty
&c. The speech of Senator Bigler, in which,
by what we conceive to be forced and unnat-
ural construction of his language, he is repre-
sented as advocating heretical principles, and
a recent article in the PennsylrGnian, eulogistic
OF Col. Benton, are made the subject of an elab-
crate criticism in the Enquirer of Tuesday
last; and fears are entertained By the editors,
that MIR. Buchanan endorses these views of Sen
ator Bigler and the Psnnsylcdaian.
Now, without assuming TO speak for Mr.. Blu
chanan, or to promulge his views on the topics
treated of in the Enquirer, we nevertheless ven-
ture to assert that Gov. Bigler, and nobody else,
IS himself responsible for what he said on the
floor of the Senate; and, further, that neither
the PeRnsytcdniaR, nor any other newspaper,
speaks by authority of the President elect Mr..
Buchanan is now, what ne hai been for the last
thirty years or more, thorough. going State
Rights constitutional Democratic statesman of
the Jefferson and jackson school, and in his
administration Of the Government will be actu-
ated, we have not doubt, by q determination to
do equal and exact justice to every portion of
the Union. His course Of policy will know no
North, no South, no East, no West. The Con-
stltGtion will be his compass and his chart By
It, and 1t alone, will he seek to guide the chip
Of state; and of his skill as pilot at the helm,
end the lofty patriotism With which he will be
actuated, no one who is personally acquainted
with the man can have 3 solitary doubt. The
Enquirer may therefore well reiterate it's ex-
preston Of " implicit confidence In the Presi-
dent elect" This confidence, we venture to
anticipate and predict will .nt be shaken du-
| ring the next Presidential ten by any act of
his. His course of policy. We doubt not, will
be alike satisfactory to his friends aud the low
ers of the Union in Virginia and Pennsylvania,
in Georgia and Indiana. But that policy has
not vet been adum brajed, except in his endorse
ment Of the Cincinnati Platform and in his letter
accepting the nomination.
We therefore respectfully advise our South
ern Democratic friends to keep cool The Pres
ident elect has always stood by their constitution
al rights, when assailed By Abolitionism Of every
hue and grade; and we firmly believe he will
stand by them to TIE end He is therefore
entitled to their generous confidence, even IN
advance Of his inauguration rs the Chief MAJ
istrate Of the Republic. Let them not permit
the opinions of A, b, or G., who, we again aver,
speak of their own responsibility, to weaken
their faith i'll the integrity of the President elect
IL Providence spares his life to the fourth oil
March next, he will then take the oath of office
and enunciate the principles and policy which
he intends carrying out in his Administration
to believe the Enquirer will be abundanty
satisfied.
So far as Senator Bgler is concerned, we
know him to be truehearted conservative
I nion-loving Democrat, who viii stand by the
Constitution aud tie rights of the States in
every emergency. He is a well-tried aud faith
full Democratic statesman, and we have no fear
that he will prove recreant, in word or deed, to
the great principles which have always been
his guiding star, and which are so dear to every
Democrat throughout the broad expanse of our
glorious Union.
In connection with the foregoing, we have
the approval Of Mr.. Buchanan in saying that
the following extract from the South Side Dem.
ocrat states correctly his position:
. As for Kansas, Mr.. Buchanan had never
expressed an opinion either one way or the
other, in favor Of it's coming in as a free or a
| slave State. He has prudently conceived that
it is a matter with which he has nothing to do
and with which he does not mean to NEEDLE
1t is question exclusively with the people Of
the Territory, with whom he is content to leave
it for solution. He will sec to it that the prin
ciples Of the Nebraska law are carried out il
letter and spirit, impartially, and without fear
| favor, or Affection