Lot 4211
Buchanan, James. Autograph Letter Signed, Wheatland, near Lancaster, May 16, 1851, 1½ pp (1 sheet), quarto. A passionate letter against bigotry to James Campbell, who was nominated for judge of the Pennsylvania supreme court in 1851. Judicial positions became elective that year and, as a Catholic, Campbell feared that his religion would work against his election. His fears were well founded; he lost the election.
In part: "…I cannot & do not believe that you will be seriously injured in consequence of your religion, although I know that there is yet much bigotry in some portions of the State. I sincerely rejoice that a Catholic for the first time is to be settled on the Democratic ticket for a State office against whom there can be no objection except his religious profession. It is an elemental principle of Democracy that every human being has an absolute right to worship his God according to the dictates of his own conscience; & if on earth there is any thing I do despise it is to witness a poor frail ignorant worm of the dust setting himself up in the place of God to condemn his fellow man because professing a different faith from himself. The argument against such bigotry, from reason, from the Christian religion & from the vital principle of free governments can be made so powerful, - so conclusive, that I rejoice a Catholic is to be settled upon the ticket. It is destined to do much good in correcting the opinions of honest but prejudiced men. It will be a contest between Democracy & Bigotry in which the former is sure to prevail."
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $5,750 |
