Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-07
' ..l A Neutral Position.

1t seems that President Buchanan has SO far
ventured to give his position upon the great is
sue of the day, as to proclaim to the world,
through his official organ, that he has no opinions
at all This is ia perfect keeping with the reru-
tation he has always maintained for decision OF
character. This want of decision is the great
failing in the character of the President elect,
and is the rock on which his administration will
split. The Washington Union speaks as follows,
"by authority:
ave haze the approval of Mr.. Buchanan, in
saying that the toIlo1ing extract, from the South
side Va Democrat states correctly his position
'AsfOr Kanzas, Mr.. Buchanan has never ex-
pressed an opinion, either one way or the other,
In -favor of its coming in as free or 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 ques-
ton exclusively tcth the people Of the Territory
10Th oonl he is content to iedve 1T for solution
He will see to IL that the principles of the Ne
braska law are carried out, in letter and spirit,
impartially, and without fear, favor or affection
That is, the question whether the great funda-
mental democratic principle of the right of every
man, unconvicted OF crime, TO right to himself,
and the product of his own industry, is to prevail
over the broad national domain, over which Con
gress has /" exclusive jurisdiction" or whether
the appalling evil Of slavery is to curse it lis
matter with which he has nothing TO do, and
with which he does not mean to meddle." We
would like to inquire what issue there is now be
fore the American people, fit to be named in
comparison with this, for importance. Yet Mr.
Buchanan says it is too Insignificant to be worthy
of an opinion from him, though about to assume
the functions of Chief Magistrate of this great
confederacy, misnamed Republican.
Yet there appears to be one point on which
Mr. buchanan ventures sort Of negative decis-
ion, and that is, in Sinking upon others the re.
spOnsibHity ofsettling this great question, when
he is sworn by his oath of Office 10 protect the
people OF the TERRITORIES, in the enjoyment Of
those rights and liberties guaranteed to them by
the Constitution. The President elect ventures
the all.important declaration Of opinion, that he
is content to leave" this vast question for so.
luton, I" exclusively with the people OF the Ter
risory;" telling them, 'If you can protect your
selves from border rufhan invasions, do IL but
don't ask any protection from me will look on
with the stolid indifference OF the woman upon
the 6ght between her husband and the bear, with
out caring fig which whips" Mr.. Buchanan
comes 70 tue AlA-ltnpOftahI oeclbpnt tnaL ne Will
not side either with the border rudians or free
State men, but let them fight it out" on Their
own hook. 10 4 ..if -ra.
Some would infer from the declaration OF the Of
fetal organ above. that Mr.. Buchanan would ex'
ert himselfto keep the border rufians out of the
territory, and allow the actual bona.hde settlers
Of Kansas 20 elect their own officers and govern
themselves; but We do not see how such con
ssrueton can be put upon the extract quoted
aboys. FArs not the border Tufiians ihemselyei
"pecple Of the territory" as long as they are IN
Il, for whatever purpose 4, And will not Mr.. Bu
chanan play this artiul dodge when the casG
comes 70 hand, and make It an excuse for suffer.
ing the Fe-snactment OF similar scenes to what 50
disgrseed the administration Of Franklin Pierce
"ses 70 il that the principles Ofihe NsbIOska law
are BARRED out iorsoOsh Do not the provisions
ofthsfIniquitous statute expressly guarantee the
riga u the pppplo " there % establish slavery
at their will. contrary 70 the law Of 1890, which