The Placer herald., 1856-11-01
From the National Intelligenoer.

Mr. Buchanan is now assaied in certain
presses for "opposihoa 10 the par Of 1872
Opposition to Mr. Nodison." These asser
tions are attempted TO be proven with all the
distortion of partizm zeal, and thus an eff
fort is made to present Mr. Buchanan before
the country as one who had, by his political
course forfeited the respect "ot' the Rather
Of the CONSTITUTIONS
! am inpelled 10y sense of high moral Oh
legation to truth and justice to deny much
of the premises and all Of the conclusions.
In the first p lace, to suppose that the ele-
waited minds of such men as james Madison
and Thomas Jefferson were intolcrant of the
liberty of opinion, and so far incapable of
Justice to the errors of youth, to ineXper-
ence and want of full information, as to en-
tertain personal prejudice and hostility to-
wards all who, from whatever cause oppos-
ed their measures, would be, in itself an in
suit to the memories of those illustrious
statesmen.
This truth, from the lips of Mr.. Madison,
was among the earliest lessons of my youth,
and heard, in 1928, Mr., Jefferson, at his
own table, repress some conversation of guest
dero0aorv to the worth and abilities Of AL
exander Hamilton by eulogum, concluding
with the remark that 'perhapS Of all publ}c
men Of his day. he woS more lmiebted to Az
erandv Homiiton, tor he, mleasf, ta"ght him
lis erYors"
Such, IN fact, was the tone Of their minds
and equally the spirit and tone of their emf
nent compatriots OF Mr. Madison and Mr..
buchanan in this connexion, | have a right
! t,,u ,anly Inf ia l.
! from childhood with the sentiments feelings
and allintes of Mr.. Madison and his house,
hold | have to say that no words were ever
heard there other than of respect and es-
TEEN of Mr.. Buchanan.
After the death of Mr. Madison, my aunt
Mrs. Madison, came to Washington, and
with occasional visits to Mountpelier, resided
| here until her death. Old friends of her
husbands, public men Of the highest distne-
ton, paid her every respect, while believe
it is nowhere doubted she eminentIy merltcd.
All knew her lofty character and extreme
devotion to the memory Of her husband.--
When, therefore, among such tried and per-
sona friends of Henry Clay and John }.
Criuenden she classed Mr. Buchanan as one
whom she highly respected and esteemed,
and received from his hands acts of friend
ship and kindness, it is not to be supposed
for a moment tina: she, who so fully sympa-
thizei in every thought and feeling of Mr.
Mad III, would accept and return friendship
from Mr.. b., or from any one whom her
husband had not equally esteemed and re-
spected. much less from one whom she had
the slightest reason to believe had 'insulted"
him. All who knew Mrs. Madison would
Indignantly deny the possibility OF such for
eettuness of herself On the contrary,
| among other kind friends whom she held IT.
high respect and regard, Mr.. buchanan
was ever gratefully remembered, as |, and
presume Mr.. Buchanan ALSO have abundant
means Of proving.
Under these circumstances, | believe IT
INV duty to vindicate Mr.. Buchanan from
the imputation Of not having enjoyed the
respect and esteem Of Mr.. James Madison,
as we'll as to declare greattul acknowledge
ments of his kindness to Mrs. Madison.
In this expression am satisfied the I'M
mediate relatives Of Mrs. Madison in Virginia
will accord. speak, however for myself,
without any conclusion or prompting what
ever, other than impulse of greattul respect
for Mr. Buchanan, and regardless of political
motive, having been uniformity Whg, but
no politician,
J. Madison Cuts.
WAsHINGroN, August IL. 1856.
nzs-GAT IEOPNIA ;c rood for q 600 for