Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-09-07

on the 9Th of December, 1857; and I did
not transmit the Kansas Constitution to
Congress until the I'd of February, 1858.
the question of slavery not having been de-
cided by vote Of the people until 2lst De-
cember.
Now, my dear sir, in writing thus to you
| have transgressed rule which l had pre-
scribed for myself. not to contradict any
statements assailing my public conduct and
character until after the conclusion OF my
term Of office. A statement, however, comes
with such force from Senator of the U. s.
who is one Of my constitutional advisers, and
this. too, in published speech delivered
by him in his canvass for the highest cleo
tive Office in the world, that / deem the
present case proper exception.
Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. VIM. SMITH.
In regard to the point relative to the
Presidents threat to ostracise his friends,
he (Douglas) had made the statement IN
public speech. The President denies it IN
letter to a member of Congress. He could
have no controversy with him about the
matter. There were no witnesses to the con-
versataon. As to the other point, that he
had not removed his friends, he appealed to
the record to contradict the assertion. He
had not sought controversy with the Pres
ident on these points. The President had
forced it upon him by writing letter to be
read all over the country. and that after he
had taken the stump against him. He left
the matter to the consideration and verdict
Of the people.
Mr.. Douglas here alluded to the charge
that he was the 'stump- candidate" He
said the reason which had prevented candi-
dates heretofore from taking the stump was
the fear of giving utterance to sentiments
in one locality that would lose votes in an
other. He had no such fear. He had but
one sentiment for all the sections of our
common country, and could with equal free
dom give utterance to them in the North or
South, East or West He declared he was
not counting votes for the Presidency. If
the people would put down the two section
al parties which are threatening the perpe-
tuity Of the Union-rebuke fanaticsm both
VOTbu duU OOuuA--AC OIu uOk Care WIZ Gu6y
made President.
He again thanked the audience for their
marked attention, and said he should carry
back with him to the prairies of Illinois the
most grateful rocollections of the generous
hospitality which had been extended to him
by the people Of Augusta.
Mr.. Douglas was then escorted to the es-
idence of NJ. G.. Hartman, ESQ.,, whose
guest be was during his stay in the city.
A number Of friends dined with him, and
at night between three and four hundred of
our citizens called to see him. He was
serenaded by Turner's Cornet Band, in re-
spon to which he made brief speech,
thanking the members Of the band, and re-
newing to the crowd his obligations for the
many acts Of kindness shown him while in
Staunton.
On Sunday Judge Douglas was again Wis
tied by number Of our citizens. and on
Sunday evening, in company with few
friends, left for Harrisonburg where be met
with most cordial reception and made a
speech on Monday.
At the close of Judge Douglas speech
on Saturday, Col. Boiling, of Petersburg,
in response to repeated calls from the crowd.
made most excellent and effective speech
of half hours length.