Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-02-12

Mn. BucuANAN.-The New York Evening
Post, an old organ of Van Buren, Democracy,
has nn elaborate article on the pretensions and
fitness of Mr.. Buchanan for tho Presidency, wind
ing up with genuine Van Buren, conclusion Of
non committnlism. The Post comedies 10 Mr..
b. an ability, experience. and craftsmanship 81.
peror to any President we have had since Mr.,
Van Buren,. But then, again. heis charged with
u tendency to .'arliiiecs" and schemes" for the
promotion of selfish ends, &c.
Those who have known him best (says the
POST have thought TINT his political course was
the result Of studied calculation. in relation TO
its effect upon himself, rather than the prompt
ing of inherent love of principle, self sacriic-
ing devotion to the public welfare Like most
timid and plotting men he has relied more ON
management, patronage, and personal ndherents
than ON popular intelligence, to sustain him.
In the selection his agents,hc has paid less at
tention to their integrity and substantial worth
than to their supposed shredness and ability To
promote his personal views. and hence was often
deceived and disappointed; for unprincped men
not usual to be distinguished for fidelity and
have their own ends to serve, MS well as the man
who now wishes 10 use them. 1t has been II
misfortune To Mr.. Buchanan, and would be moro
| felt by him and the country, if he should ever
be President, that he is incapable of justly ap
preciating men, or discriminating between the
! good and the bad. and that he has so little conf
dence in public intelligence,
Upon the slavery questionable Post goes on to
say that Mr.. Buchanan will no doubt
Conform to the extreme requirements of the
seotonalists, occupying u position IN the country
similar to that of Shannon when he went to Kan
sas. and. therefore acceptable TO the Cincinnati
| Convention.
Though cautious and timid in his movements
on oil vehemently controyerted question unit
satisfied of the course of events, he on more thnt
one oscasion has exhibi,d strange recklessnes'
and raised doubts of his ability TO sustain hmsel
in positions of responsibility. His illegal un
warranted. and extraordinary instructions. whe'
Secretary of State TO Romulus Saunders. to ne
gutiate for Cuba at the price of one hundred
millions, astoupded the country, and his pnrtici
patton in the Osiend Congress sank him in pub
lie estimation.
In administrative ability he falls immeasura
bly, below Mr.. Mnroy. lis mind lacks grasp
vgor. comprehension, and WILL important re
qusites to an efficient chief magistrate He i
politician rsther than statesman; and indulge
too freely in the tricks and schemes of the form
er TO become eminent and great in the hghe
walks Of craftsmanship. Although not a mem
Der of Congress in 1880, he participated large
in the Union saving intrigue that was then in
: stituted protesting to be seriously alarmed les
I the country should be ruined
6 II sincere in these professions, his weakness
will not commend him to the good opinion G
those who were never deceived by the game the
practised. while ON the other hand if il was mer
= afectation, like that of most concerned in it, h
deserves even less respect. But take him all
all. he is entitled to the favorable consideration
n of those who meet at Cincinnati, and is likely
: be their candidate.