Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-06-20
From the Washington Union

MI. Buchanan anu the War of 1919.
we see that several of the know nothing and black
republican organs have reproduced speech made by
Mr.. Buchanan on the 4h OF july 1876 in which
are sentiments in regard to the war with Great
Britain that had then closed which find no re-
Spouse il the public mind. AS Objectionable as we
admit some Of these sentiments to be, we think the
objection is made with an exceedingly i'll grace by
those who are daily giving uterance to opinions and
doctrines lar more unpatriotc and un American than
anything to be found in that speech MIR. Buchan-
ans position and course in the war of 1912 have one
redeeming feature which cannot be found in the pres
ent position and course of his assaiiants. He
opposed 10 the policy of the war, and censured the
administration for its mode of conducting it but af-
ter the war declared, he manifested his deyotion
to his country by shoudering his muske and march.
ing to its defence Like thousands of true patriots
of that day, Mr.. Buchanan differed with Mr.. Mad
lsons admlntration to It's policy but his heart
and soul were with his country, and he was ready to
risk his life in its defence. He bonged to that
other class of opponents of the who kept up their
opposition, and give aid and comfort to the enemy
after the war was declared Mr.. Buchanans assail-
ants occupy position at the present time which has
striking parallel in the conduct of that unpatrioc
class of opponents of the war of 1912, who COW
cred their names with infamy by the sympathy
which they manifested for the enemy.
Bu it is not our purpose dignity this stale charge
against MIR. Buchanan by elaborate defence. He
had the magnanimity, after the speech was
made, to acknowledge the of the sentiments ii
contained, and TO retract them and now for more
than thirty years, he has devote his talents and his
energies to those great democratic principles which
rest The continually increasing prosperity and glory
| of the country. To show how ready Mr. Buchanan
has ever been to retrGct erroneous opinion, as
we'll as his frmness and fearlessness in maintaining
his position when he believes it 10 be right we have
obtained permission of Hon. George W Jones' of
Tennessee, to publish letter written to him in I847
by Mr.. Buchanan, which will place this anti-war
charge IN lis true light. Mr. Buchanan was, at the
date of the letter, member of Mr.. Folks cabinet,
and IN the canvass in Tennessee Mr.. Polk
sailed tor appointing to elevated position a man
who had opposed the war of 1912 Mr.. Jones add
dressed letter to Mr. Buchanan, asking him Tor
the facts IN connection with the charge. To this
letter Mr.. Buchanan gave the following frank and
patriotic reply, which Mr. Jones has allowed us to
publish:
WASHINGTON, April %, 1847
My DEAR SIR have this moment received your
letter of the 18th instant, and hasten TO return an an.
swer.
In respect | have been fortunate as pulic
man. My political enemies obliged 10 go back
for more than thirty years to find plausible charges
against me.
In 1914 when very young man, being this day
BIZ years of age, made my first public speech before
| meeting of my fellow citizens of Lancaster. The
object of this speech to urge upon them the duty
of volunteering their service in defence of their nvad
ed country. volunteer company raised upon
the spot in which was the first, believe, to enter
my nan e as private We forthwith proceeded to
Baltimore, and served until we were honorablv dis
charged
! In October, 1914, was elected member of the
Pennsy lvania legislature and in that body gave my
| support to every measure calculated in my opinion
to aid the country against the common enemy.
In 1875 after peace had ben concluded did ex-
press opinions in relation to the and conduct
of the war; which very after regretted and
called Since that period have been ten years a
member of the House of Representatives, and an
equal time of the Senate, acting part every great
question. My political enemies, finding nothing
saable throughout this long public career, re-
sort back to my youthful years for expression to in
ure my political character The brave and gener-
Gus citizens of Tennessee, to whatever political party
they may belong, will agree that this is hard meas
ure of Justice; and it is still harder that for this,
they should condemn the President for having vol
UNFAIRLY offered me seat in his cabinet.
never deemed it proper, at any period of my life,
whilst the country was actually engaged in war with
foreign enemy to utter a sentiment which could in
terfere with its successful prosecution. Whilst the
war with Great Britain was raging, should have
deemed but little better than moral treason TO par
alyza the Of government whilst dealing blows
against the enemy. After peace concluded, the
to expression uttered by me, during the contin-
orous prosecution.
From your friend very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
! Hon GEORGE w. JONES.