Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-02-06
Mp WAGoNsELlER's SPEECH.

10 the members OF the House LOT my Legs
lative career, did not intend to say word
here in reference to the position ] assumed
in the election of the United States Senator,
but TO hold myself aDswerable alone to my
constituents.
My mind, however, has undergone
change since the discussion, which was
sprung upon the House, on the request OF
Mr. Backus to be discharged or relieved
from serving On the Committee on Lands,
therefore ask the indulgence OF the
House for few moments 10 give the reasons
that influenced me, as we'll as my colleague,
in the course we took on the Senatorial
question.
Icame here as Democrat with view Of
carrying out, in good faith, the rules aud
regulations of the party, so long as they
dld not interfere with conscientious dis
charge of my duty to the interests of the
whole people.
had no idea, however that at, the very
outset there would be attempted an encroach-
ment upon the rights of individual members
of the party, in the selection of candidate
for the Uaited States Senate, and therefore
regarded as an idle luraor the report that
the President elect was exerting Ill his
i1fuenee in favor of the nomination and
election of John W. Forney, until it was
made manifest in the caucus period too
late in the struggle to affect the result BY
any action l might have deemed proper to
pursue, different from the course originally
marked out for myself.
did not even then realize the full force
OF the wrong done the Democratic party
the great wrong done prominent member.
of the party, who, from their acknowledged
ability and worth, were entitled to fairer
treatment than being overslaughed in caucus
by executive interference and dictation.
1t was only after had been shown the
letter of MIR. Buchanan, debating who should
be the nominee for Senator, that l fully
appreciated the outrage attempted upon the
rights of the Democratic members of the
Legislature. This was subsequent to tho
nomination Of Mr.. Forney and previous tc
the meeting of the joint convention of the
two Houses.
To show that | assert nothing untrue
with regard to the letter, herewith ask
that it may be read:
WHnATLAND, Jan. Z, 1857.
NV Dear Sir Although have always
refrained from interfering in the choice Of
Senators By the Legislature, yet the highly
confidential relations which a Penusylvanli
President ought to sustain toward Penn
sylvania Senator, az the present moment
induces me to say few words to you, as {
valued friend, on tue pending Senatoria
election.
learn that doubts have been expresse,
as to my preference among the candidates
and, although NV opinion, may be entiflec
to little weight, do not desire to be place.
10 au equivocal position Oh this OF an
other subject.
When asked, / have always said that
preferred Col. Foruey, and should esteer
il friendly act towards myself for an
,,erson, in or out of the legislature, t
support him.
At the same time, desire to express m
warm personal and political regard 70
Messrs Robbins, Foster. Ruckalew an
Wright.
From the course pursued by Mr. Brod
head, for some years past, conGdentli
relations between him and myself hs'
ceased.
have thus presented you my views, /
that, if you should deem 1t necessary, yC
may speak my sentiments to ssuch persol
as may consider them of any value.
From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN,
HENRY s. MoTT, ESQ.
A document so palpably hostile to Il
spirit and policy of republican governme
so subversive of every thing like fir
action and free thought--so insulting
Senators Bigler and Brodhead and 9th
eminent Democrats, and SO contrary to Il
expressed sentiments of Mr. 5uchani
himself when called upon to give his OPT
iou Of Gen. Cameron's previous election
the United States Senate, st once broug
my mind and that of my colleague to t
determination to resist its instructions
the farthest end.
The letter Grst referred to not only cal
upon Dir. Mott, one of the present Can
Commissioners, as ssa valued friend"--w
by the way, it will not be forgotten, "
elected to the Office he holds, By the Kp'
Eothings-snd upon all others, Gin and Q
of the legislature to assist IN the nomiu
ticn Of Mr.. Forney, but stigmatizes two
the leading Democrats 10 the State as u
worthy of coufdence-Democrats who nj
Eli, with honor TO themselves and credit
the Commonwealth, the Office of Unit
States Senator. mean of course Senate
Bigler and Brodhead--Democrats who pr
sent as clean u record as that Of the Pre-
dent elect himself.
No man understanding plain English v