The Washington union., 1857-09-25
From the New York Journal Of Commerce.


From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
"THE PRESIDENTS FIRST YEARS PROGRESS. +"
In an article with this heading, evening cotcmpo-
rary which for time at loss to know Pres
dent Buchanans motive in making his recent communi
cation to the public in reply to the New Haven memo
ralsts processes give what it presues to be the
motive "a presumption arrived at after more careful
perisal of the document) viz to change the posi-
ton which he he Presdent till that time occupied in
reference the nationality of slavery under the cons
tuition
In order the concusvey prove the accuracy of
this presumption and to convince its readers Of Mr. Bu
chanans inconsistency, the Evening Post quotes pas
sage from the Presidents letter accepting the nom-
nation of the Cincinnati Convention, in which he
asserts the broad truth that g the people of Terri
tory, like those of State, shall decide for them
selves whether slavery shall shall not exist within
their limits - and quotes another passage, from the
reply to the ofcious professors, in which worthy
Chief Magistrate remarks that the Territories being the
common property of the people of the entire Union
are as much open to shareholders to settle in them with
their slaves they to non-savehoders with any
other species of property and that it is only when the
bona de settlers frame their State constitutions that they
have legal right to determine whether they will
ton OF prohibit slavery Our cotempory affects to be-
eve that these two statements inconsistent with each
other that before his election the President maintained
that the people of Territory had the right at all times
to exclude permit slavery they thought proper,
while now he declares that it is only when they frame
their State constitution that they decide the ques
ton 1t requires vast amount of ingenuity to deduce
from any spoken written statement of the President
that we have seen any such meaning that
tanned in the first premise OF the Posts argument.
To be quite sure, quote the Posts exact words:
Last year Mr. Buchanan thought the people of the Ter
ritoes could permit exclude slavery at their pleasure
As we read the Presidents letter of acceptance of the
Cincinnati nomination, he clearly and positively accepted
the doctrine of the Kansas Nebraska act founded up
on principles ancient free government itself - and
everybody knows that the act organizing Kansas and Ne
basa does not say that while those Territories continue
in their probationary condition it shall be lawful for the
citizens Of any portion of the Union to declare that the
citizens of another portion shall not go there if they
please unless they consent to dves themselves of their
property expressly recognised by the constitution But
does say very distinctly that when the settlers have
gained the numerical strength to entic them to ask ad-
mission into the federal family of coequal States, and
come frame their State constitution, then and then
only their right by the legally will of the
majority of the people to determine whether the
STATE shall permit prohibit slavery institution
1t would certainly be novel doctrine that which
the Post SAYS the President enunciaed last year When
is it that the people of the Territories have the right to
exclude or permit slavery How are they to declare
their opinion and decide the question? Have saveowne
or men who approve of slavery the right to say to
non -slaveowners, who disapprove of slavery,
% you must not come here without slaves because
like Them" is it only open to the ENJOYS of the Kan
Aid Society to exercise this right and prohibit south
from settling in the same Territory they be-
cause they opposed to involuntary domestic seSitude
The general impression is that the citizens of the United
of
and preudioes and without reference to their geoghi
cal position have equal right to settle in the Terrific
ries rs their property. 1t the exertons Of
the citizens of the United States not of the Massachusetts,
men, the Virginia men, which acquired those treasures
and it would be obviously unjust therefore, we're the
be able legally to prohibit the vir
pnia men from partang of them unless they left their
slaves behind, which much recognised as their
property by the constitution, the horses ag
cultural implements Of the Massachusetts, man, the
chymca apparatus of the New Haven professor of states
manship No wonder that Mr. Buchanan should consider
any doubt as to these plain truths mysterious"
The mystery, however, is susceptible of explanation
The fall elections approaching and the black repub
cans find that the mposture of Kansas ouges has been
completely exposed, and is longer servceable
means whereby to deude the people to support them
They are Obliged to beat about for other plausible
device by which they stir up popular preudices and
under false issue, retain power where they have al
ready gsed it, and obtain where they have failed to
do SO.
The best thing therefore, is to try to prove that the
President is Gin tho hands of the slavcocracy that he
is resoved to make Kansas slave State' that he has
'changed his position" &c. Sc, and, a convincing
proof of these various assertions the republican pacars
and newspapers reproduce in every variety of type, from
the largest capitals to the most conspicuous ac tho
passage in the Presidents reply to the professors which
reads as follows:
Slavery existed at that period, and still exists in
Kansas under the constitution Of the United States '
The ridiculous mouse" the fruit Of the mountain 9
laborious paron. described by the great Latin sar-
ist was not ridiculous than tho very tiny mouse
which the republicans have brought fourth after "a care