Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-07-24
Was Mr.. Buchanan an "Old Defen.
der9"

The Union and other organs of the Buc-
caniers, while they dare not deny that Mr.
Buchanan was Fejeralist, attempt TO pal.
late this objection by asserting that he was
in the last war--one of the defenders OF
Baltimore. This assertion is false in every
particular, as will be seen from the following
statements: .e.f,.
From the Fredrick (Md.) Examiner.
We clip the following from the Cham
bersburg, Pa, Repository and Transcript, a
newspaper published tor the last sixty odd
years in the same couny where Mr. Buch-
anan was born and which is reasonably pre-
sumed TO know hing of his personal
history. 1t must be borne in mind that the
sham democracy claim great credit for
their nominee on the score OF being q ''de.
fender''
The Philadelphia Argus rejoices that
James Buchanan was not too much of
Federalisi to shoaides his musket and march
10 the defence of Baltimore 10 1874, If The
Argus can show that James Buchanan ever
franklin county gave him birth
Mr.. Alexander w. Hood. an early friend
and neghbor of Mr. Buchanan, but at pres
ent residing a few miles south Of this city,
relates that in August, 1914, several volun-
teer Companies, in response to the call Tor
troops, met at place Of rendezvous in
franklin county, Pennsylvania, for the pur-
pose of forming battalion to proceed in
defence of the county to the Canadian, from
tier, and that james Buchanan, who was
member of the "Mercersburgh Volunteer
Rifle Company" and about twenty others,
bact led out and refused go. Mr.. Hood re-
members the circumstance perfectly, and
heard number of young men taunt Buch-
anan for his cowardice. The compan les
marched off, without Buchanan and his rec
reanl party. Mr.. Hood went with them. and
vas at the famous battles of Chippewa and
Lundy's Lane, at the latter of which he re-
ceiveJ bayonet wound in the right side,
thu. honorable scar he yet bears.
So it appears that Hon. James Buchanan
is not entitled to the credit of being of Bal
timore's gallant oefenders,' but that when
called upon to serve his county in the hour
of need. he positively refused, although
trained as citizen soldier, to take up arms
in her defence He has ever been ready to
reap the spoils of victory, but never did
auyht to deserve them.
1t appears, therefore, that ''the want Of
moral courage" charged upon Mr.. Buch
anan by General Jackson. is not his only
failing. He is also justly obnoxious to the
charge of want of physical courage, and
was taunted with cowardice in 1914, to
which taunt he did not dare to reply!
This charge is new to us, it wi II surprise
no one. The man who could treat Horny
Clay as James Buchanan treated him, must |
be coward, in every sense of the term,
morally as well as a physically.
In former years. we have regarded Mr..
Buchanan as a worthy member OF the Dem
ocratic party. bAt the developments recent
" made stamp him as a man utterly drsti- |
tute of principle--cold-bl -blooded, calculating,
and selfish to the lis: degree.
Can the American people confer their
suffrages upon such man to be the success
sors of Washington, Madison, Jackson, anu
Harrison! Can they stultify themselves by
such an act, When they do, it will be high
t ime for them to erect such a moment to
Benedict Arnold, and a mausoleum over the
ashes of Aaron Burr.