Details
BUCHANAN, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") to J. J. Grindall, Wheatland, Pennsylvania, 18 October 1852. 1 page, 4to, blue paper, remnants of mounting along left edge.
"I FORGIVE THOUGH I CAN NEVER FORGET": A BITTER BUCHANAN ON THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW AND HIS FAILED BID FOR THE 1852 DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Buchanan's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1852 was roughly treated at the Party convention in Baltimore, as the Democrats showed the first cracks in their party between Northern and Southern factions over the Fugitive Slave Law and the 1850 Compromise. Fearing that a bitter fallout might tip the state in favor of Whig candidate Gen. Winfield Scott, he thanks Grindall for a "capital paper" that "cannot...ought not" to "produce a powerful & beneficial effect" in the state. "It would be a strange spectacle indeed if the Slave-holding state most interested in the maintenance & faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law should yield her support & give her electoral vote to General Scott. I hope this never will be." His own emotions are still raw: "I am proud that so many of the distinguished sons of Maryland deemed me worthy of the highest civil honor; & although my friends were grossly insulted by a portion of the people of Baltimore, I forgive though I can never forget their conduct. They had the right to prefer another; but my relations to the State of Maryland ever since I became a public man, ought to have saved my friends from insult."
Buchanan was one of four contenders vying for the top prize in Baltimore: the others were Stephen Douglas, William Marcy and Lewis Cass. After Cass led on the first 19 ballots, Buchanan surged ahead, keeping the lead over nine succeeding ballots. But Northerners Cass and Douglas kept enough delegates on their side to deny Buchanan final victory. Only on the 49th ballot did the party bosses rally support behind Franklin Pierce.
"I FORGIVE THOUGH I CAN NEVER FORGET": A BITTER BUCHANAN ON THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW AND HIS FAILED BID FOR THE 1852 DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Buchanan's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1852 was roughly treated at the Party convention in Baltimore, as the Democrats showed the first cracks in their party between Northern and Southern factions over the Fugitive Slave Law and the 1850 Compromise. Fearing that a bitter fallout might tip the state in favor of Whig candidate Gen. Winfield Scott, he thanks Grindall for a "capital paper" that "cannot...ought not" to "produce a powerful & beneficial effect" in the state. "It would be a strange spectacle indeed if the Slave-holding state most interested in the maintenance & faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law should yield her support & give her electoral vote to General Scott. I hope this never will be." His own emotions are still raw: "I am proud that so many of the distinguished sons of Maryland deemed me worthy of the highest civil honor; & although my friends were grossly insulted by a portion of the people of Baltimore, I forgive though I can never forget their conduct. They had the right to prefer another; but my relations to the State of Maryland ever since I became a public man, ought to have saved my friends from insult."
Buchanan was one of four contenders vying for the top prize in Baltimore: the others were Stephen Douglas, William Marcy and Lewis Cass. After Cass led on the first 19 ballots, Buchanan surged ahead, keeping the lead over nine succeeding ballots. But Northerners Cass and Douglas kept enough delegates on their side to deny Buchanan final victory. Only on the 49th ballot did the party bosses rally support behind Franklin Pierce.