The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-09

MR.. BUCHANAN AND MR.. MADISON.


Mr. Buchanan is assailed In certain presses for Top
position he eflsl2" Opposition 20 Mr. Madison" and
even for ainsuA James Madson These assertions are
attempted to be proven with all the distortion Of partisan
zeal and thus effort made to present Mr. Buchanan be-
fore the country who had by his political course
forfeited the respect of tho father Of the constitution"
/ am impelled by OF high moral obligation to
truth justice TO deny much Of the premises and all Of
the conclusions.
In the first place. to suppose that the elevated minds OF
such James Madison and Thomas Jefferson In
tolerant of the liberty of opinion and far incapable OF
justice the of youth nexperence and want OF
full information entertain personal prejudice and hos
ity towards all Who from whatever cause opposed their
measures would be- In ITSELF insult TO the memories OF
those lustrous statesmen
This TRUTH from the lips of Mr.. Madison, among the
earliest lessons of my youth and heard in 1925, Mr. JEFF
rson at his table, repress some conversation OF
guest derogatoy to the worth and abilities Of Alexander
Hamilton by euogium concluding with the remark that
aperhaps Of all public Of has day. he sOas more in
dbted TO Alexander Hamilton for he at least, taught him
| his errors"
Such in fact the tone Of their minds and equally
the spirit and tone Of their eminent compatrios OF Mr.
Madison and Mr. Buchanan in this connexion | have a
right to speak, as well as duty to perform Familiar
from childhood with the sentiments feelings and atines
of Mr. Madison and his household have to say that
word heard there other than Of respect and
TEEN for Mr.. Buchanan
After the death of Mr. Madison, my aunt Mrs. Madison,
came to Washington, and with occasional visits to Mont
peler resided here until her death Old friends of her
husband public Of the highest distinction paid her
every respect which believe it is nowhere doubted she
emnendy merited. All knew her lofty character and
IRENE devotion to the memory of her husband When,
therefore, among such tried personal friends Henry Clay
and John j. Crttenden she classed Mr. Buchanan
whom she highly respected and esteemed and received
from his hands acts of friendship and Kindness it is not
to be supposed for that she who fully sym
pathzed in every thought and feeling of MIR. Madison
would accept and return friendship from Mr. b. from
any whom her husband had not equally esteemed and
respected much less from whom she had the slightest
reason to believe had "insuled him. All who knew Mrs
Madison would Indignantly deny the possibility of such
forgeulness of herself On the contrary among other
kind friends whom she held in high respect and regard
Mr. Buchanan gratefully remembered, as and
presume Mr.. Buchanan also, have abundant means of
proving.
Under these circumstances believe 1t my duty to vim
dictate Mr.. Buchanan from the imputaton of not having
enjoyed the respect and of James Madison well
as to declare grateful Acknowledgements for his kindness to
Mrs Madison.
In this exposition satisfied the immediate relatives
of Mrs Madison in Virginia will accord. speak, how
whatever other than the impulse of grateful respect for Mr.
Buchanan and regardless of political motive having been
| uniformly whg, but no politician.
J. MADISON QUITS.
WASHINGTON, August H. 1856.