Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-01
HON. JAMES BUCHANAN.
REMARKS or
HON. j. CLANCY MES,


In the House Of Representatives, Nay Is, 1856,
in reply to the remarks made on SATURDAY,
May 10, 1856, by Hon. Hessy M. Fsller,
assailing the political opinions Of Mr.. Bach,
anan, and other leading public men VI ,hs
Democracy of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. JONES rose and said:
gave notice on Saturday, that when the
speech of my colleague Mr.. Fuller should
be in print, should, AS aquestion OF privilege,
ask the House to indulge me ia lev remarks
which / wished to make in reply to my col
league.
The consent of the House was granted.
Mr.. j. said: Mr.. Speaker, / was somewhat
surprised on Saturday last, that my colleague,
Mr.. Fuller, who obtained, US aquestion Of
privilege, the unanimous consent OF the House
to make q personal explanation OF dis own
position before the country on the great leading
questions Of the day, should avail himself Ut
that same privilege to make covert attack
upon the Democracy of Pennsylvania and her
leading men.
Whatever may have been the design OF my
colleague, whether in self defence or otherwise,
no man who heard him could arrive at any
other conclusion than that the latter part OF
his speech was intended to place James Buch-
anan, of Pennsylvania, in a false position be-
fore the country. name this distinguished
gentleman because it is we'll known that he
now stands prominently before the country,
presented by his own great State, as candi-
date for the Presidency.
As far as the position of my colleague upon
the leading national questions OF the day Is
concerned, have nothing to say. leave that
to others. He is not member of the Demo
cratic party. 1t is not responsible Tor his acts
or opinions, nor is he a recognized expounder
of its doctrines. Whatever may have been
his position formerly, or however it may con-
fict with that which he holds at present, it is
a matter which does not concern the Democra-
cy of the country.
/ can understand why my colleague should.
at this juncture, desire to square himself to
his new position as national man by invoking
the noble name of James Buchanan. Sir, 1t
Is the fashion, in the new caste OF parties IN
this hall, to appeal to great names as the au-
thors and supporters Of great errors. George
Washington has been quoted here as q Know
nothing by perversion of one of his military
orders; Thomas Jefferson has been introduced
before us as the original inventor OF the higher
law; and we have even been invited to a feast,
composed of obscure and dusty traditions, at
which both Franklin and Madison have been
made to figure as modern Abotionists. May
| say to my colleague that this practice is much
better honored in the breach than in the OBJ
servance?
Nor is it my purpose either to aude to any
of the gentlemen named by my colleague my
self included or to explain their positions on
these questions that is matter which will
take care of itself Ny purpose is to address
myself entirely to that portion of his remarks
which related to that distinguished Pennsylva-
man, James Buchanan.
am deeply impressed with the idea that 1t
is a work of supererogation for me to come to
the rescue Of the noble and glorious stand
which the Democracy of Pennsylvania has
taken and maintained fearlessly and boldly
before the country, in every crisis where the
Constitution or the Union was assailed or en-
dangered. / call the attention of the House
and the country to the fact, that of all the
Northern States there is none which has con-
fessedly been more undertaking in its defense
of national doctrines than the State which l
have the honor in part to represent. say
confessedly, because the evidence of this is to
be found, not only in the tribute paid to the
record of Pennsylvania by the sound men OF
all parts Of the Union, but by the unceasing
and reckless attacks made upon the Democracy
of that State for their perseverance and fidelity
in times of trial, in resisting the onsets OF
ianaticism by the leaders OF Abolitionism.
Pennsylvania has always occupied this posi-
ton; and, standing as it we're IN the centre OF
the Union, between the North and the South,
she has been enabled-te- resist the advance of
Abolitionjsm, and to protect with her gigantic
energies and imposing example those institu.
tons which are constantly imperiled in the
course of political events. The record of the
Democracy of Pennsylvania is luminous. Its
acts and deeds are known throughout the
length and breadth of the country / should
only mar that record, and weaken its powerful
force by even attempting to defend it from
assault from any quarter. For its high posi-
ton before the country, for its long line OF
brilliant acts, known and recognised through
out our glorious Union, we stand this day more
indebted to the firm, consistent, and fearless
course of James Buchanan than any other man
living.
Nor, Mr.. Speaker, do deem it necessary to
come to his defence; that is not my object.
He is understood at this day, as have already
stated, to be a prominent candidate for the
Presidency, presented by his own great State
with unparalleled unanimity. In forty years Of
public service he has made a record which
emphatically say here, needs no vindication at
my hands. Upon that record he now stands
before the country but as public opinion, with
great propriety, in an exciting crisis like the
present, is necessarily drawn to close and
scrutinzing investigation Of all the acts and
opinions of public men, even to a misrepre
sentation of these opinions, deem it neces-
sary here, and in my place, and for the last
time, as far as | may be able, to settle this
matter, so far as it relates to Mr.. Buchanan.
The public life and character of this distin-
guished gentleman is so completely identified
with the history Of the Democracy Of his ma
tive State, that it is impossible to separate
them and could not defend the one without
defending the other. My object now is, not so
much even to offer defence Of Mr.. Buchanan
as it is to expose the character Of the covert
attacks that may be made upon his public life
and political position, designed to have an in.
furious effect upon the country at this particu-
lar crisis. In the other wing Of the Capitol he
has been associated with the ablest intellects of
the day in supporting constitutional principles.
Sir, you recolect this as well as do; and
will not consume the time of the House by re-