Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-07-18
AN ORATTON,
AN GRAFTON,
DELVERED BEFORE THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF LA-
CASTER, on THE ARA OF JULY, 1915.
BY JAMES BUCHANAN, ESQ.
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(ooST1SUED FRoM tAsT WEEK


credit from their exer.ions2 Certainly not
They were the spontaneous efforts Of the
country, undireeted BY the government
The militia who we're chiefly engaged in
these glorious conflicts, were often withou.
pay and without comfortable clothing. The
dreadful situation of the country compelled
them to abandon their families and the
sweets Of domestic life, without any pre-
yious warning to defend places which were
guardians-plaees which ought to have
been ready for siege at the commence
ment of the contest. As well might Fer
dinand the 18th Of Spain, who was-not in
his kingdom, but who was nominally king,
claim the glory of rescuing his country from
the armies of France, as cur government
take to itself the credit Of expeIIng our
invaders.
When We turn our attention to the reg
ular army, which were peculiarly under the
direction of the national government, what
do we discovers During the first year Of
the war, that year in which it was to have
closed with glory, that year within which
our triumphant banners were to have float
led upon Quebec, and all Canada was to
have been ours, the year in which that
/ province was left Unprotected, and the forces
Of our enemy were employed in Europe, it
/ experienced nothing but continuation Of
degradation and defeat Is there an Amer
lean on the floor of this house, who has not
blushed for his country a thousand times,
during that disgraceful year-untiI all the
general officers, who had been appointed
for political purposes, and entrusted with
the command at the commencement of the
contest, were disgraced; and until others
had fought themselves into credit and into
notice, all our battles ended into defeat.
i During the last year Of the war, the reg
uIar army under their commanders, retriev-
ed their lost character and performed prod
/ igies of valor; but unfortunately, on ae-
count of the impotence of the government,
they fought against such fearful odds that
they were hardly able even to defend our
northern frontier. Indeed, so dreadful was
I the situation of our country for some time
previous to the close of the contest, that the
asonal splendid exploits of our heroes,
like the CLEANS of lightning in dark tenn
pestuous night, only added new horrors to
the surrounding gloom. They only served
to show US what brilliant exertions our coun-
try might have made, had we been govern
ed by men who were capable of properly
collecting and directing its resources.
But peace has again returned to bless
our shores. Again Commerce, who has for
years been weeping over the misfortunes Of
our country, begins to smile. Again We
stand central to all the European powers.
What then should be the political conduct
in future3 Precisely to pursue the political
maxims adopted by Washington. We
ought to cultivate peace with all nations,
by adopting a strict neutrality not only Of
conduct but of sentiment.
We ought to make our neutrality respee-
ted by placing ourselves in an attitude of
defense. We ought forever to abandon the
wild project of philosophic visionary, of
letting commerce protect itself In its pro-
lection we ought to increase our navy. We
ought never to think of embargoes and
non-intercouse laws without Adherence
We ought to use every exertione to turn out
of power those weak and wicked men who
have abandoned the political path marked
out for this country by Washington, and
whose wild and visionary theories have
been at length tested by experience and
found wanting.
WHAT MUST BE DONE WITH FoREIGNIsM.
ABOVE ALIVE OUGHT TO DRIVE
| FROM OUR SHORES FOREIGN IN
/ IFLUENCE AND CHERISH EXCLU-
ISIVE AMERICAN FEELINGS. FOR
lEIGN INFLUENCE HAS BEEN IN
lEVERY AGE THE CURSE OF RE-
IPUBLICS. HER JAUNDICED EYE
SEES ALL THINGS IN FALSE COL
ORS! The thick atmosphere Of prejudice,
by which she is forever surrounded. EX-
i ICLUDES FROM HER SIGHT THE
/ LIGHT OF REASON.
! Whilst she worships the nation which
she favors for their very crimes, she curses
the enemy of that nation even for their viz
tues. In every age she has marched be-
fore the enemies of her country, proclaim
ing peace when there was no peace, and
luling its defenders into fatal security,
whilst the iron hand of despotism has been
aiming death-blow at their liberties. Al
ready has our infant republic felt her with
ering influence. Already has she involved
us in war which had nearly cost Us our ex-
isEence.
LET Us THEN LEARN WISDOM
FROM EXPERIENCE, AND FOREV-
IER DANISH THIS FIEND FROM
JOUR SOCIETY. We arc separated from
the nations of Europe BY an immense ocean
We are still more disconnected from them
by different form of government, and by
the enjoyment of true liberty. Why, then,
should we injure ourselves, by taking part
in the ambitious contests of foreign despots
and kings!
Should this Washingtonian policy be pur-
sued, our country will again rise to its for
mer greatness and wealth. Under the bless
ings of Providence, we may then calculate
on long and happy existence as q nation
We may reasonably hope that our children's
children, to remote generations, may be as
sembIed together upon this auspicious day,
blessing the memories of the men whom
heaven entrusted with the glorious task Of
making a great nation free, happy, and in
| dependent.