Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-28
Two Important Letters.

dignifes and honors his seat on the Supreme
Court Bench, was the democratic caucus nom
inee for u. S. Senator. He was defeated,
and Simon Cameron was elected, by the votes
of a few recreant democrats The democrat
ic members of the Legislature, who voted for
Judge Woodward, addressed letter to James
buchanan, who was then Secretary of State
under President Polk, and also to George NJ
Dallas, Vice President, to procure from them
an expression of opinion, in reference to what
they properly termed g this unnatural and un-
expected result" Mr. Buchanan's reply will
be found below, together with his letter ad-
dressed to Henry S. Mott, President of the
Board of Canal Commissioners, Immediately
prior to the meeting of the recent democratic
caucus, to nominate candidate for u S. SEN
ator. There is not democrat in the State,
who supported james Buchanan, who will not
cheerfully subscribe to every sentiment con-
tanned in his letter of 1915. If he had enun-
ciated the same wholesome doctrine, in his
letter to Mr.. Mott, there would have been no
word of complaint on the part of the friends
of the defeated candidates. Their fate would
have been justly attributed to the glorious un-
certainties attending all such political contests
Whilst we cannot admire Mr. Buchanans let
ter to Henry S. Mott, and believe that it ex-
ercised an unfair and an undue influence, over
the Independent action Of the democratic mem
bers of the Legislature, we are still his friends
and shall be found in the future as in the past,
sustaining his administration to the best of our
| ability. We honestly believe, that when he
wrote that letter, his generous confidence was
| abused, and that popular feeling was misrep-
resented to him. IF the course which our
! member, George n. Smith, saw fit, under the
peculiar circumstances of the case. to pursue,
had not been violently attacked by a few Of
fee seekers. and his repretation attempted to
be blasted we would have remained SILENT
But he has character for honest and integri-
| ty among US, and to see him * crushed cut"
without defence, would have been most cow
ardly Nor in pursuing this course, have we
been influenced by any envious feeling to-
wards John w. Forney, He has talents and
we admire his long and devoted friendship for
Mr.. Buchanan. But we insist, that every
| tub shall stand upon its own bottom. We
are not now, protesting against the nomination
of John W. Forney, as the democratic candi-
date for q. S. Senator, nor are we conten-
ding that Henry ID. Foster, would have been,
the choice of the caucus No human being
| can foretell these results. But we insist on
tair play, and demand that neither John w
| otbo cb,l1 h. J
upon the party as Its nominee, by any i'm
? proper OR extraneous influence Whenever
such an influence shall be attempted, to be
brought to bear against Gen. Foster Or any
other candidate, the contest becomes altogeth-
er one sided and unfair. and we shall never
cease to denounce, under such circumstances,
g the deep damnation of his taking off -
Let him stand or fall, as all candidates for so
high and responsible a position should, upon
their own merits. and Gen. Foster, and his
friends will yield to the voice of public opin-
ion, expressed through Its Representatives,
and say to the friends of the successful aspi-
rants, that he bows III humble submission to
the will of the people
WASHINGTON, 31st March, 1915.
GENTLEMEN Il have had the honor of re-
celvlng your communication of the 18th inst.
censuring the conduct both of Gen. Cameron
and of the Democratic members of the Legis-
lature, who, in union with the Wings and
Native Americans, elected him to the Senate;
and stating that you deem it proper to afford
me as Pennsylvanlan. an opportunity to ex-
press my opinion concerning what YOU term
&c this unnatural and unexpected result
Whilst entertaining for you the most profound
and grateful respect, have arrived at the
conclusion, after much reflection, that it would
be improper for me, especially since have
become a member of President Polk's cabinet
to criticise or condemn the Legislature of .
sovereign State, for electing whom thew pleas
ed to the Senate of the United States. .Jeal-
onsy Of Federal Interference and Federal IN.
jaaence tn State elections, ccer has been, ana
trust erer may be, a preuat1ing sentiment
throughout the Democratic party; and if, il
the new official position which now hold,
were TO pass sentence against those Democrat
ic members who voted for another Democrat
instead OF the caucus nominee, [ might Justly
be asked stwho made me ruler or Judge
in this matter. They are responsible to the
sovereign people of their respective districts
and counties, and in the hands of their con
stituents they shall be left. so far as am con
cerned. Besides, l might add, that any in
reference on my part in this delicate question
would inevitably tend further to distract ant
divide the Democratic party of Pennsylvania
at moment when am most anxious it shoul,
be united in supporting the National an,
7 State administrations.