White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-09
Ruehanan's Test.

The following we take from the speech
Of John w. Forney, at Camden, of Oc-
tober 9th.
In regard TO this matter Of making a
test, my attention was recalled to-day to
brief and significant letter written by
Mr.. Buchanan himself, in 1855. anil pub
lished in the papers of that day. 1t is a
letter of very remarkable character.
bearing with peculiar significance upon
present politics During Mr.. Buchanan
absence, as / have said. the Missouri
compromise had been repealed. The Issue
in the Democratic party was adherence
to the principle Of popular sovereignty.
The Democratic members Of Congress.
at the beginning of the session which
witnessed the exciting contest, resulting
in the election Of Mr.. Banks as Speaker.
held caucus in which they laid down
adherence to the principle Of the Kansas
Nebraska bill. Mr.. Buchanan was absent
he began to grow stronger and stronger
as the Democratic candidate for the Pres
idency and it was necessary that be
should speak out in this Issue. He sccor-
dinghy wrote letter to Mr.. John Slidell.
dated London. December 18th, 1855.
This letter Mr.. Slidell held in his peck
ct until some time in April, 1856. when
it became necessary. before the National
Convention met, that Mr.. Buchanan's
sentiments should be known. The letter
was then Published in the Washington
Union and copied in all papers. 1t il .
curiosity of its sort, and applies to tho
present day with q significance almost
prophetic. He says:
"The question has been settled by Con-
grsss and this settlement should be in
Asxibly maintained"
What settlement The settlement
that the principle Of popular sovereignty
should take the place Of Congressional
Intervention.
he says also: "The Missouri Com
promise is gone. and gone forever. But
no assault should be made on those Dem
ocrats who maintained it. provided they
are now willing in good faith to maintain
the settlement as it exists. Such an I'M
derstanding is wise and Just n ITSELF"
He was afraid that. because he had
been for the Missouri line, q test would
be made upon him at Cincinnati there
fore no Democrat was to be Put out Of
the party because he had been in favor Of
that line
Now, what do we see this gentleman
doing. who was so anxious that no test
should be made by the Democratic party
upon kims We see him doing that which
Louis Napoleon himself would be asham-
ed to do-doing that which, under any
civilized Government on the face Of the
earth but ours, "a Government Of law
and order, would create q revolution
doing that which. If the historian had ven
tursd to prophesy fifty years ago, he would
have been consigned to the mad house.
We see tie President Of the United States,
with a hundred millions Of patronage,
standing up before The people, with
sword drawn so to speak. putting to
death every man who viii not come for
ward and say that the principle of the
Revolution, the principle Of the declara-
ton Of Independence, is 6 falsehood-
who will not, with him. desert that great
princiPle-who viii not say that he did
right when be did wrong. This gentle
man who. in 1855. begged that no test
should be made upon him on account Of
his having been in favor Of certain law
of Congress-what does he do now I
He makes test upon those med who are
standing BY eternal principles.