The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-03-28
POLITICAL.
MR.. BUCHANAN AND MR.. DAVIS.

Tue sday last in relation to the misrepresen-
lalion OF his speech in favor Of the lnde-
pendent Treasury bill, contained in the pub.
lshed speech Of Mr.. Davis against tla,
measure. 1t will be perceived that the
charge made was, that this gentleman had,
throughout his remarks, alleged that Mr..
Buchanan had supported the bill on the
principle that il would destroy tie banking
system, and restore an exclusive gold and
silver currency, and wonld, as necessary
consequence, check importitions, suppress
credit. and reduce the wages of labor and
the value Of property, TO one-half their pres
eni prices. Such objections have hereto
fore been those chiefly urged by lis enemies
against the measure;but Mr.. Davis, through
out his whole speech, they have been put
inin the mouth of Mr.. Buchanan, as areu.
ment in It's favor. Every one can perceive
how political capital might be made by cir
culaling throughout the country, that the
unfoundcd objections made to the bill by its
open enemies, were not only admitted 10
exist by so distinguished friend OF the
measures as Mr.. Buchanan, but had been
actually urged by him as arguments in It's
favor.
So far from this being the fact, the speech
of Mr.. Buchanan, aud we heard every
word Of it, not only did not contain any
such arguments as had been attributed TO
him by Mr.. Davis; but his arguments were
al Of contrary character. He rldculed
the idea which had been formerly urged by
the opponents Of the bill. that " it was 10
devour all the banks, and establish a pure
metallic currency for all the transactions ot
all the people of the United States;" and
whilst he proved conclusively that il would
he of inestimable advantage by separating
the banks from the Government, he render
ed it clear that il would not injuriously al
feet the banks or the business OF the coun-
try. How Mr.. Davis could have put such
arguments into his mouth as he has done,
we are utterly at loss 10 conjecture.
A friend of Mr.. Buchanan having called
his attention to the published speech of Mr..
Davis, the former brought the subject be-
fore the Senate on Tuesday last, IN the re-
marks which we now publish. Mr.. Bu-
chanan contIionally applied the epithet
"fagiiiouS, which Mr.. Davis had first
used IN his speech TO characterize the prop.
osi.on which he said had been advocated
by Mr.. Buchanan to the misrepresentation
made bv Mr.. Davis of Mr. Buchanan's ar
gumenl. This produced some alteration;
but, alter The gentle men had compared
NOES with each other, the subject seemed
to have passed away without appearing TO
leave any unpleasant feeling behind. On
the next morning Wednesday, Mr.. Davis
appearing in the Senate said thati'ia .ainarks
stood by his friends, and desired further
opportunity of addressing the Senate on
tie subject. This was delayed by Mr..
! Grundy's speech until Friday morning,
when Mr.. Davis rose and delivered speech
mari ed throughout with strong and person
ally offensive expressions in regard to Mr..
Buchanan's previous remarks. and conclu-
! ded with The declaration that he repealed
them with the scOrn and contempt they de-
served"
Mr.. Buchanan, who is provethially mild
and courteous to his opponents, was left
without any alternative but that Of treating
Mr.. Davis with severity. He was perfect
| IS calm and collected in his manner. He
commenced with stating what we copy from
the notes of our Reporter " That when he
had addressed the Senate few days ago,
ne had endeavored to state what he believ-
ed 10 be his grievance, in the miltesl man
ner which the nature of the case admitted,
and TO treat the Senator from Massachusetts,
so far as he could, with courtesy and re-
spect. The remarks Of that gentleman, TO
day, however absolyed him from any such
obligation, and he SHOULD proceed to treat
his misrepresentation as they deserved
We have never heard more Jusl ana con-
elusive reply, or one more sey>re IN Iis CHAR
acter. The Senator appeared altogether
in a new light. Mr.. Davis rejuinsd; tie
alteration became quite personal on holl
sides; Mr.. Buchanan,in conclusion, triumph
antly declared that he had fixed the charge
Of grossly misrepresenlng his remarks up
on him, and there il should stick like the
poisoned shirt Of Nessns.
We have not met any candid and Impair
lial man, who was present, who dnes mo-
believe that Mr.. Buchanan made out his
case clearly and iriumphandy. II woul'
have been better, much better, for Mr.. Da
Wis at Grs, TO have admitted the representa-
lions charged, and stated that they were un
intentional mistakes, if such were the fact
From the result of the controversy, we en-
leriain not doubt that he is now OF tn
l ean,s ~ onini,r kVbau the ent;re debate shal