Mr. Buchanan On The Wilmot Proviso

We find in the papers aleiter from Mr. Buchanan, of the 25th August, to cerlain Democrats of'Berks Co., Penn., in which he takes occasion to warn the Democracy óf tlie "approaching storm" on the slavevy question, artfully endeavors to show that the Wil mot Proviso is entirely unnecessary, and recommei.ds to the paity to folio w in the footsteps of the Greal Missouri Compromiser, by compromising to the Slave Power all the new tenitory it wants, and interdicting slavery in the vest. The letter is mporiant, as showing the view of a prominent leader of the partv, which Benion recently recommended, and which Cass will no doubt sanction as soon as necessity compels him to show his hand. We give below so much of the letter as relates tnthis subject. "The qupsiion of slavery, in one of its ancient aspects, has been rpcently revived and threatens to convulse the country. The Democratie party of thfi Union o'ight to prepare ihemselves in time for i!k approaching storm. Their best spcurity, in the hour of danger, islocling fast to their time-honored principies. A sacred regard for the Federal ConstitutioD, and for the reerved riglits of thi' States, is the immovable bisis on which the party can alone safely rest. This has saved us from the inroads of Abolition. Northern Democrats are not expectei to approve slavery in the abstract; but they owe it to themselves - as tliey value the Union, and all the political blessings which bountifully (luw from it, to abide by the compromisos of the Constitulion, and leave the question, where that instrument has left it, to the States wherein slavery exists. Our falhers have made this agreement with their brethren of the South ; and it is not for the descendants of either party, in the present generat'un, to cancel this solemn compact. The Abolitionisti, by their efforts lo annul it, have nrrested the natural progress of Emancipf.tion, and done great injury to the laves themselves. "Afler Louisiana was acquired from France by Ml. Jefferson, and wl en the Sta'e of Missouri, which constituted a part of it, was about to be admitted into the Union, the Missouri question arosn, nnd iil its progress tbrentened the dissolution of the Union. This was settled by men of the last generation, as other im])ortant and dangerous questions have been settled, in a spirit of mutual concession. Under the Missouri Compiomise, slavery wns "forever prohibited" north of 36 deg. 30 min.; nnd south of this parallel the question was left to be decided by the peoplp. Congrega, in the admission of Texa, following in the footsteps of their predecessor?, adopled the same rule ; nnd, in my opinión, the harrnony of the States, and even the securily of the Union itself, rrquire that the line of the Missouri Compromiso ahoiild be extended to anv new territory which we may acquire from Mexico. "I should entertain the same opinión, even if it we re certain that this vvould become a serious practical question ; but that it nevercan be thus considered, must be evident to all who have uttentively exa'nined the subject. "Neitlier the soil, the cl'mnte, nor the productiona of tliat portion of California soul h of 36 Jeg. 30 min. nor indeed any portion of il, nnrth or south, is adapled lo lava labor ; and, l.cside, cvery favility would bfl llicre aflbrded to the slave to esoipe from his malr. Such properly would be uiterly iusecure in any port of California. It is morally [tnpoesible, therefure, that a majority of tlie emigrntlla to tbat porilon of the territory south of 36 deg. 31) min., which 11 be ehieflv cumposed of our fellow citizens from llir eastrn, tniddle and weslern Siales, wil! ever re-estnbiish slaveiy within its limits. In regird to New Mexico, east of the Rio Grande, the quetion has alrendy been seltled by the admission of Texas nto the Union. 'Should we acquire terriiory bevond the Rio Granel-, ai;d East of the Rocky Mouiilaius, it is slill inore improbable thal I a mnjority of the people of thnt región would consent to re-estaViüsh slavery. - They are themselves, in a large proportion, a colored popiilation ; and ainong them the nfgio does not sociaily belong to a dfgraded race. "The question is, therefure, not one of practical rnportance. lts agitation, however honestly intended, can produce no effect bu! to aliénate the people of different portions of the Union Trom eneh otlier ; to excite sectional divisions and jealousies ; and to distroct and possibly destroy the Democratie party, on the ascendency of whose principies and measures depends, as I firmly bplieve, the success of our grand experiment of self-gevernment. "SlicIi have been my individual opinions, openly and fearlessly expressed,ever since the commencement of the prrsent unfortuna'e agitation ; and of all places in the woild, I prefer to put them on record before the incorruptible Democracy of OM Bei ks. I, therefore, bpg leave to offer you the following sentiment : "The Missouri Compromise - ftsitdoption in 1820 sa ved the Union from threatened convulsión. lts extensión in 1848 to any new territory whicli we ïuay ncquire, wül secure the like happy r.tsult, "Yours, very réspectfully, "James Buchanan." ft?" The Wlilgs have nominated for Governor, J. M. Edmunds, of thiscounly: for Lieut, Governor, II. L. Miller, of Saginaw county.