Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-11-28
Mr.. Buchanan, and his Policy.

: disnterested public servants, have made
and unmade cabinets; repented the wise
sayings and doings of Mr.. Buchanan
and his household 4; marked out the flu.
ture policy of the incoming administra-
ton settled the fate of Kansas. and
assigned the various important places
within the gift Of the executive to par
ticular ones of a particularly large class
of cxpcctants. Having done this, it
would seem as if there was nothing
more to be done in that line Of public
duty; but as fast as one correspondent
gets all matters finely arranged, another
one spoils the dish by kicking it over,
and presenting another, which he thinks
is more palatable.
/ We subioin from the Boston Atlas the
following remarks and commend them
to the attention of our readers, believing
that the tone and temper Of the article
will meet their views -
The people OF the Paul Prv school.
who are peepins through the windows
of Wbeutland, make divers reports which
are more curious than consistent. Their
letters to the newspapers are read with
avidity by the people, because they treat
Of a subject which at present possesses
the highest interest. 1t SO happens that
Mr.. Euchanan's opinions and intentions
are just now of more importance than
those OF any other man upon the Amori
can continent. 1t rests with him TO say
whether we are to have continuance OF
the terrible party strife which for two
or three years has convulscd the coun-
try. or whether justice and prudence are
to bring in their train peace and good
feeling. The letter writer's, therefore,
are tolerated. Unfortunately, although
they secure general perusal, they have
little trustw orthy to tell US. They con-
tradict each other in a very alarming
way. This epistolizer assures us that
Mr.. Buchanan has had sweet and har-
monious interview with Messrs. Wise.
Slidell and the other fire. worshippers
another declares that he has kicked the
PHOSPHORUS gentlemen ont Of his dom
icilc Some enthusiastic persons are
perfectly sare that Mr.. B. will salve the
whole problem Of the future by promot.
ing the admission of Kansas as free
State Others profess to know that he
will abide by the doctrines Of the Gin
cinnati platform. In short, the letter
writer's aforesaid leave us in condition
of the most painful justification.
We suspect, after all, not only that
these writers know nothing Of Mr.. Blu.
chanan's intentions but that he does not
know himself He is. or rather Will be
elected President, but the stronges,
T statesman mi ght well shrink from taking
Office under such circumstances. With
such an opposition against him, with moi
Eenlv the numerical force of the countr,
to content with. but the moral weight o
disputed questions impending him, hi
could not though largely endowed with
. capacity for public affairs, anticipate ar
easy administration. But the truth Is
that Mr.. Buchanan is not a remarkably
able man. nor has he ever exhibited
, great frmness Of character, or particu
lar sagacity. His friends have beer
driven to claim in his behalf, that in tht
unfortunate affair Of the Ostend Con
ference. he was made the mere tool O
Mr.. Marcy. This relieves him from on'
irputation only to subject him to anoth
: err. We are led indeed, seriously to en-
, quirc, if Mr.. Buchanan could be draw
: thus easily into trap. in matter Ger
tainlv not requiring any unusual pers. /
: cacity. what fate awaits him in the con
test which is close at hand, and whicl
: will require of the head Of the govern
/ ment. at least, steady persistence i,
what he believes to be right:
1t would be unjust to say that we ow
all the present public troubles entirel
to the weakness of Mr.. Pierce, becaUs
! they had their origin in system Q
r which he was rather the victim than tn
!, originator But it is certain that if h
: had resisted with frmness the overture
5 of the South. and especially the solici
u tation of Mephistophiles Douglas, tn
:, special difficulties which now embarras
: us might have been avoided. VIII MI
J. Buchanan exhibit less facility: If w
IS cannot hope. we can at least pray tia
= he may do so. at present, we believ
i that he has no definite system resolve
y upon, and that he IS trusting more t
: good fortune than to principle. 7
:. compromise will be the readiest resource
4, but to compromise skillfully requires
! high order of talent, and to compromis
n without injustice demands an unusu'
! conscientionsness of character. In fl
j ture, Mr.. Buchanan's election settle
% nothing. 1t becomes, therefore, the Re
a publican party to remain firm, standn
is fast by principles, and watching wit
n unceasing vigilance every movement
is the new Administration. To condem
" IN advance would be grossly unfair
n but to confde bl.ndly in man like Nj
l. Buchanan would be the height of stu
Y pibity.
d LIZ We have received another com