Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-02-16
a,


IN their ardent affections. and rs now pre-
scented as the candidate Ct democratic
Pennsylvania for the Presidency:
:. AIR BuoHANAN's first appearance in
public life was in 1914, a short time al
ter the capture of Washington by the
British. That hi2h-handed and daring
proceeding lighted.up fame of patriot
ism which pervaded the whole country.
public meeting was called in Lancas-.
fer fer the purpose OF adopting measures
70 obtain volunteers TO march Tor the de
fence Of Baltimore. On that 0ccaslnn
MIR. BUCHANAN addressed his felow-clti-
gems. in speech Of great spSrit, IN favor
Of vigorous prosecution Of the war,
which be followed up by registering his
name as volunteer among company of
other young aud patriotic hearts. 4
company of dragons was formed upon
the spot, Of which the late Judge, Henry
~hippes. was elected the Captain. They
marched to Baltimore, and served under
the command Of Maj. Charles Sterre&
/ Ridgelv until they were tlonorab'y dis
charged. This early stand OF Mr.. buCF-
ANAN in favor Of the late war, will serve
TO show what his feelings at that day
were, ar time when the country need
ed the strong arms aud stout hearts o.
her citizens.- of her political
opponents in Lancaster city will tcar
testimony to the facts just named.
:. But it will be seen that Mr., BUCH-
lAxAN's active friendship in behalf OF his
country did not stop here. lie was e.
lecteti in Octnber of 1914 to the Leglsa-
ture If PeaHsy Ivania from the county 0l
Lancaster. Here the same fearless and
patriotic spirit distinguished his career.
An attack was thleatened against the cl-
tv of Philadelphia. The general gov;Nn-
ment was nearly reduced to state 81
bankruptcy, and could scarcely raise sui
fcient money TO maintain the regular
troops on the remote frontiers OF tue
country. PENNSYLVANIA was obliged te
RELY upon her oyTu energies for her de
fence. and the people were ready to do
their utmost in the cause. Two plans
were proposed in the Legislature. Inc
one was what was called The ConscTip-
/ ton Bill" and similar to that which had
been rejected by Congress, by which i
was proposed to divide the white male in
! babitants of the state above of the age o.
eighteen. into classes OF twenty two men
each. and to designate one man. from the
members between the ages OF Is AMI =,
of ea,h class. who should serve one wear,
! each class. being compelled to raise r
sum not exceeding $500, as bounty to
! the conscript. This army was to be paid
I TAI, nf 81, g IL.
state, and its estimated cost would have
! been between three and three aud one,
/ half millions Of dollars per annum. The
officers were to be appointed by the Gov
ernor. by and with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate. The other plan was
20 raise six regiments, under the authori-
ty OF the state, to serve for three wears or
during the war. and to pass efficient
volunteer and militia laws.
j During the discussion of these two
! plans. MIR. Buchanan took an active and
( highly patriotic stard.
1 - During the debate he said "since
! then Congress have deserted rs in nur
! time of need there is no alternative. bat,
either to protect ourselves by some eff
/ cient measures. or surrender up that in
/ dependence which has been purchased by
! the blood of our forefatilers. No Ameri-
can can hesitate which Of these alterna-
| tiVes ought to he adopted The invad-
ing enemy must be expelled from our
shores he must he taught to respect the
| rights Of freemen."
mir. bUcHANAN. opposed the Con-
script bill, because OF It's too palpab!e
injustice. Speaking Of this measure he
said /: " this law is calculated to be very
unjust and very unequal as a Conscrip-
tion Law un0n the poor mar, in the ives
tern parts of the State, whose property IS
nor IN danger, it will be hut,a militia law
which the rich man in the eastern part Of
the State whose property it contempIates
defending. The individuals in each
class are, % be sure, to pay the two hun
dred dollars in proportion to their COM
parative wealth. as bounty to the sub
stltute or cOnScript. 1t will there fore be
just in its operation amonS the individ,-
ais composing eack class. But now will
lit be with respect to entire classes?
TWENTY-FIVE meE in the city OF PhladeI-
phla, whose united fortunes would be
worth 100000 would be compelled 10
pay no more than TWENTY-FIVE men inthe
western country who NAV not be worth
the one thousandth part Of that sum-"
After all, )" he continues +" L confess
that, in my opinion, an efficient volun-
teer and militia bill, together with the
troops which can be raised under the
voluntary enlistment bill. would he am
ply sufficient for the defence Of the CITY
Of Philadelphia. We need not be afraid
to trust 10 the patriotism or courage of
the people Of this conntrv when they are
invaded. Let them have good militia Of
ficers, ard viii soon be equal to any