Details
BUCHANAN, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan"), as Secretary of State, to George Guier, Washington, 20 May 1847. 2 pages, 4to. Marked "Private."
"THE PERPETUITY & PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS UNION DEPEND UPON THE ASCENDANCY OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES"
"WE SHALL NEVER QUARREL ABOUT YOUR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES..." A warm, conciliatory letter in which Buchanan also declares his passionate commitment to the Democratic Party. "...Why did you not write to me on the subject of your son-in-law's appointment as a Second Lieutenant?" Buchanan chides Guier, "I should most cheerfully have sustained his application. Although you and I have not been as good friends as I could desire, yet I have always justly appreciated your services & merits as a Democrat. Of this I could long since have given you proof. I am now encouraged to drop this hint only by the kind tone of your letter. You subscribe yourself my friend, and as you have never yet been charged with hypocrisy I accept the pledge with all my heart. All I can desire of you...is that you shall think & speak as kindly of me as I do of you."
He assures his friend that "I have no ambitious aspiration beyond that of a desire to obtain & preserve the good opinion of my fellow citizens. Your friendship for me will, therefore, not cost you much. We shall never quarrel about your Presidential preferences; because I know you will never support any candidate unless he be a good Democrat. A long experience in public life has convinced me that the perpetuity & prosperity of the people of this union depend upon the ascendancy of Democratic principles in the administration of their Government. I shall, therefore, be in favor of that man for President, whoever he may be, best calculated to secure this ascendancy. Let us, therefore, shake hands & be good friends hereafter."
"THE PERPETUITY & PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS UNION DEPEND UPON THE ASCENDANCY OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES"
"WE SHALL NEVER QUARREL ABOUT YOUR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES..." A warm, conciliatory letter in which Buchanan also declares his passionate commitment to the Democratic Party. "...Why did you not write to me on the subject of your son-in-law's appointment as a Second Lieutenant?" Buchanan chides Guier, "I should most cheerfully have sustained his application. Although you and I have not been as good friends as I could desire, yet I have always justly appreciated your services & merits as a Democrat. Of this I could long since have given you proof. I am now encouraged to drop this hint only by the kind tone of your letter. You subscribe yourself my friend, and as you have never yet been charged with hypocrisy I accept the pledge with all my heart. All I can desire of you...is that you shall think & speak as kindly of me as I do of you."
He assures his friend that "I have no ambitious aspiration beyond that of a desire to obtain & preserve the good opinion of my fellow citizens. Your friendship for me will, therefore, not cost you much. We shall never quarrel about your Presidential preferences; because I know you will never support any candidate unless he be a good Democrat. A long experience in public life has convinced me that the perpetuity & prosperity of the people of this union depend upon the ascendancy of Democratic principles in the administration of their Government. I shall, therefore, be in favor of that man for President, whoever he may be, best calculated to secure this ascendancy. Let us, therefore, shake hands & be good friends hereafter."