LETTER OF EX-PRESIDENT VAN BUREN. JUNE 28, 1856.
[Philadelphia: William Rice, Printer, 1856]. 8pp, disbound. Light scattered foxing, else Good+ to Very Good.
Van Buren throws his support to Buchanan in the 1856 campaign. He decides to swallow Kansas-Nebraska, emphasizing that Popular Sovereignty can restrict slavery as well as extend it. He believes (mistakenly) that Buchanan will fairly execute the will of the people of Kansas. Van Buren's view of Popular Sovereignty as an anti-slavery tactic was correct theoretically but dreadfully wrong; from the Doctrine's application during the Pierce administration, he should have known better. During his long career Van Buren metamorphosed from a national Democrat into an anti-slavery Free Soiler in 1848; here he tests Regular Democratic waters again.
FIRST EDITION. LCP 10697. Sabin 98425n. Wise & Cronin 10. 628 NUC 0028453 [11]. Item #22643
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