Details
BUCHANAN, James (1791-1868), President. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") to James Campbell (1812-1893), Washington, 30 January 1851. 2 pages, 4to, detached integral blank with docket, in very fine condition.
BUCHANAN PONDERS FACTIONAL POLITICS AND THE IMPACT UPON HIS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.
A fine letter in which Buchanan, former Congressman, Senator and Secretary of State, acknowledges the divided state of the Democratic Party in his home state and its potential impact upon his path to the White House. Writing to Philadelphia politician Campbell, the representative of the city's Irish-Catholic voters, Buchanan congratulates him on his efforts to obtain a nomination to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; "I rejoice that you have carried the City & County so triumphantly," but bemoans opposition from one of Campbell's colleagues: "I regret extremely that your friend & myself have come into conflict on this question; but I cannot abandon Baker. I cannot desert a friend to secure the neutrality of a foe." Buchanan notes that factionalism in Pennsylvania has become incessant and threatens to block his nomination for President: "The time has arrived in the natural progress of events, when Pennsylvania may furnish the Democratic candidate for the Union, should she but will it energetically. But that is the question. There are so many jealousies & factions & wheels within wheels in operation in our good old state, that no person can predict with confidence what will be the result. The public works have for years been in the charge of my enemies & have been covered with agents hostile to me. Now when I desire to have a friend appointed where success is essential to me in my own county, I am met & resisted by good friends who for my benefit & from the best motives desire the continuance of the present incumbent who has been more bitterly my enemy than any individuals in the state, save [Reah] Frazer and [Simon] Cameron."
Buchanan did not win the Democratic nomination in 1852, in large part because of the political manipulations of fellow Democrat Cameron in Washington.
BUCHANAN PONDERS FACTIONAL POLITICS AND THE IMPACT UPON HIS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.
A fine letter in which Buchanan, former Congressman, Senator and Secretary of State, acknowledges the divided state of the Democratic Party in his home state and its potential impact upon his path to the White House. Writing to Philadelphia politician Campbell, the representative of the city's Irish-Catholic voters, Buchanan congratulates him on his efforts to obtain a nomination to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; "I rejoice that you have carried the City & County so triumphantly," but bemoans opposition from one of Campbell's colleagues: "I regret extremely that your friend & myself have come into conflict on this question; but I cannot abandon Baker. I cannot desert a friend to secure the neutrality of a foe." Buchanan notes that factionalism in Pennsylvania has become incessant and threatens to block his nomination for President: "The time has arrived in the natural progress of events, when Pennsylvania may furnish the Democratic candidate for the Union, should she but will it energetically. But that is the question. There are so many jealousies & factions & wheels within wheels in operation in our good old state, that no person can predict with confidence what will be the result. The public works have for years been in the charge of my enemies & have been covered with agents hostile to me. Now when I desire to have a friend appointed where success is essential to me in my own county, I am met & resisted by good friends who for my benefit & from the best motives desire the continuance of the present incumbent who has been more bitterly my enemy than any individuals in the state, save [Reah] Frazer and [Simon] Cameron."
Buchanan did not win the Democratic nomination in 1852, in large part because of the political manipulations of fellow Democrat Cameron in Washington.