The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-14
Mr. BUCHANAN AND rnr WAR OF 1917.


buchanan on the 4th of July 1915, in which sent
ments in regard the with Great Britain that had
then closed which now find response in the public mind
AS Objectionable admit some of these sentiments to
be, think the objection is made with an exceedingly
i'll grace BY those who daily giving ueranee to opn-
ions and doctrines far unpauiotc and I'M American
than thing 10 be found in that speech Mr. Bnehanans
position and course in the Of 1912 have one redeeming
feature which be found in the present position and
course of his assaans He opposed TO the policy Of
the war; and censuIed the administration for its mode Of
conducting it but, after the declared, he mani
tested his devotion TO his country by shouderng his mus
and marching to It's defence Like thousands of true
patriots of that day, Mr. Buchanan differed with Mr. Mad
administration TO its policy but his heart and
soul with his country, and he ready risk his
life in its defence lie belonged to that other class Of
opponents Of the who kept up their opposition and
gave aid and comfort to the enemy after the de-
cared. Mr. BuchananS assaans occupy position at the
present time which has striking parallel in the conduct
of that unpatroc class of opponents of the of 1872
who covered their with inamy by the sympathy
which they manifested for the enemy.
But II is not our purpose to dignity this stale charge
against Mr. Buchanan by elaborate defence He had
knowledge the of the sentiments ii contained and
retact them and now for than thirty years. he has
devoted his talents his energies to those great
cratic principles on which rest the continually increasing
prosperity and glory of the country To show how ready
Mr. Buchanan has been to reract opin
ion as well as his rmness and earessness in maintaining
his position when he believes it to be right have OBJ
tanned permission Of Hon. George w JONES' of Tennessee
NH W.
which win place this antwar charge in its true light Mr.
Buchanan was at the date Of the letter. member of Mr.
Folks cabinet and in the in Tennessee Mr. Polk
assaed for appointing to SO elevated position
who had opposed the Of 1872 Mr. Jones addressed
letter Mr. Buchanan asking him for the facts in
ion with the charge To this letter Mr.. Buchanan gave
the following frank and patriotic reply which Mr. Jones
has allowed us to publish @ .a
" WAsHNGToN, April 80, ls47.
NY have this received your letter of
the 18th instant, and hasten to return answer.
In respect have been fortunate public My
political enemies obliged back for than thirty
years to find plausible charges against
In 1874 when very young lbcing this day Sc years
of age, made my first public speech before meeting OF
my citizens Of Lancaster The object of this speech
urge upon them the duty of volunteering their services
in defence of their invaded country volunteer company
raised upon the spot in which the first believe,
to enter forthWfth proceeded
Baltimore, and served until we honoraby discharged.
In October, 1914, elected member of the Pennsy
vana legislature and in that body my support every
calculated in my opinion to aid the country against
the common enemy. t
In 1915, after peace had been concluded did express
opinions in relation the and conduct of the
which very after regretted and recalled Since that
period have been member Of the House Of Rep
resenaves and equal time of the Senate acting part
every great question My political enemies finding moth
ing assaabe throughout this long public career
back youthful for expressions to inure
ical character The brave and generous citizens Of Ten
nessee whatever political party they may belong will
agree that this hard of justice and it is still
harder that for this they should condemn the Pres
for having voluntarily offered in his cabinet
deemed proper at any period Of my life whilst
the country actually engaged in with foreign
my sentiment which could interfere with its
cessfu prosecution Whilst the with Great Britain
raging should have deemed it little better than
parayze the Of the government whilst dealing
blows against the enemy After peace concluded the
case was different. Ny enemies point
preston uttered by during the continuance of the war
which not favorable to its vigorous prosecution.
From your friend, very respectfully
w JAMES BUCHANAN
Hon GEoReE W. JoSEs.