The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-20
THE "DRoP OF BIOQDa oALUMNY.


THE s'DRoP OF BLOOD" oALUMNY.
We published yesterday the emphatic denunciation by
the Lancaster negencer of the base caumny which at
tributed to Mr. Buchanan the declaration that if he
had drop of democratic blood in his veins he would let
it out" 1t that this falsehood originated in
1928 when Mr. Buchanan candidate for Congress ss
Jackson democrat The charge revived few years
afterwards when Mr.. Buchanan came forward with the
characteristic straighorwardncss and fankness of his
nature, and denounced it unmtgated caumny. We
copy from the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Reporter the
letter of Mr. Buchanan, with the single remark that with
such REPUTATION pow present repeat the
Islander without knowingly giving currency to false.
hood:
From the Harrisburg (Pa) Reporter
We observe by the report OF congressional proceedings
in the National Intelgencer of March 50h that on the
previous Friday evening Senator Buchanan was as
sailed by Mr. Morgan, of New York. and Mr.. Cooper of
penns lyania upon the floor of the House of Representa-
lives with the charge Of once having said in 4th-oJuly
oration hat If he thought be had drop Of democratic
blood in his veins he would let it out" This charge
promptly contadicted by Mr. Ramsey and General Kem
OF the Pennsylvania delegation
1t is not intention present TO make any comments
upon this ridiculous story which first originated in 1928
Immediately preceding Mr.. Buohanans fifth election to
Congress but merely to repubish the letter Of that gentle
to the editor Of the "Pennsylania Inquirer and
Courier" dated FEBRUARY ~, 1883 contradictng the
aander it supposed forever This letter elected
by similar charge, made In debate by Mr.. Cox, mem
Der of the convention for amending the constitution Of
Pennsy lvania, in May, 1891 1t then promptly repe
led before the convention by the Judge Porter and
Emanuel O. Rcigar both members of that body-the first
prominent democrat and the latter one of the ant-Ma-
sonic party in Pennsylvania Had this sentiment or any-
thing like it, been uttered by Mr. buchanan at npo-
cal meeting in the courthouse in Lancaster these two
gentlemen from their position and character must either
heard it themselves or Immediately heard from others
both Of them being residents Of that city when IL
alleged 10 have been uttered aud Mr. Reigar having
sided there ever since The charge would have specially
attracted public attention that time Mr. Buchanan
successful candidate for the State legislature both 10
October 1914, and October, 1915
Mr. Gov No. satsned with the contradiction. of Mr. Por
ter and Mr. Regart endeayored 10 obtain proof p. tas
charge and renewed in letter to ae eqor % the enn
syyaua Inquirer and Courier dated February "a and
published in that paper Of February 90 1898 the testimony
which he then adduced in support Of IL and all which
could be collected after aborious search consists OF The
certificate Of certain Anthony McGinn and an EXTRACT
Of letter from George Ford r both OF which II VIII be
perceived are referred to in the following letter Of Mr. Bu
cbanan:
TO the Editor Of The Pennsyloaa Inquirer and Courier!
WASHINGTON CITY, February ~, 1898.
S have this moment perused the letter OF j. r. Cox.
published in yesterdays Inquirer us ate official station
as menes convention induces me to notice ths
stale Islander which he again repeats and which pro-
noanee 70 Dc utterly and absolutely e no matter from 9iat
source nay hare proceeded shuH proceed never did
upon any OCCASION public private whether at the court
house in Lancaster elsewhere declare that aif knew
had drop Of democratic blood 10 my veins would let
IL out or any words TO that effect TAs ridiculous story
| Is wtholH shadon Of foundation
The hrst version OF the story was that had used the
expression in an Grafton which had delivered nj the
courthouse in Lancaster, the 4h Of July 1913 The
GRAFTON itself dsproved this assertion and thea after Mr.
Cox had made 1t subject of debate before the reform con-
vention in May last one OF the papers at Harrisburg SOL
emily announced that the expression had been used by
the floor of the House Of Representatives in This
city in reply to Governor Floyd of Virginia and that IL
could be prnved by gentleman who had formerly been
democratic representative in Congress from Pennsylvania
The is again shifted TO the courthouse in Lam
caster, and certain Anthony McGnn ia the witness III.
states that "a number of years ago evening" whilst
addressing political meeting there assembled he had
heard the expression already stated, in en-
phatic manner with my right hand elevated above mr.
headP lie does not state the year when this expression
used the Of any other person who pres
| ent at this public meeting.
IL does not seem 70 have occurred TO Mr. Cox that II
had uttered such sentiment that attributed to nae In
the courthouse at Lancaster would have been heard by
hundreds OF people; that il would Immediately have be
come the subject OF universal remark and universal con-
demnauonl and that < would have been severely and
sesay commented upon in the newspapers Of the day,
Had II been true there would have been occasion for
him 70 resort TO Anthony Mclnn 70 prove the charge,
to conversation alleged by Mr. Ford 10 hare been
held with Mr.. Peter Shinde, who although respectable
IL aged mani and from defect Of memory incident 10
that period Of life must have COMPOUNDED what may have