Washington sentinel., 1856-05-24
HON. JAMES BUCHANAN.
REMARKS OF
HON. j. CLANCY JONES.


In the House Of Representatives., Nay l3 1856,
in reply to the remarks made on Saturday,
May 10, 1856, by Hon. Henry NJ Fuller,
assailing the political opinions of Mr.. Buch.
anan, and other leading public men of the
Democracy of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. JONES rose and said
] gave notice on Saturday, that when the
speech of my colleague Mr.. Fuller should
be IN print, should, as question of privilege,
ask the House TO indulge me in few remarks
which wished to make in reply to my col
league.
The consent of the House was granted.
Mr.. j. said: Mr.. Speaker was somewhat
surprised on Saturday last, that my colleague,
Mr.. Fuller who obtained, as a question of
privilege, the unanimous consent OF the House
to make a personal explanation of his own
position before the country on the great leading
questions of the day, should avail himself Of
that same privilege TO make covert attack
upon the Democracy of Pennsylvania and her
leading men.
Whatever may have been the design of my
colleague, whether in selfdefense or otherwise.
no man who heard him could arrive at any
other conclusion than that the latter part Of
his speech was intended to place James Buch,
anan, of Pennsylvania, in false position be.
fore the country. / name this distinguished
gentleman because il is well known that he
now stands prominently before the country,
presented by his own great State, as candi
date for the Presidency.
As far as the position of my colleague upon
the leading national questions of the day is
concerned, have nothing to say | leave that
to others. He is not member of the Demo
cratic party. 1t is not responsible for his acts
or opinions, nor is he a recognized eXponnder
of its doctrines. Whatever may have been
his position formerly, or however it may con-
hict with that which he holds at present, it is
matter which does not concern the Democracy
of the country.
! can understand why my colleague should,
al this juncture, desire to square himself to
his new position as national man by invoking
the noble name of James Buchanan. Sir, it
is the fashion, in the caste Of parties in
this ball. to appeal to great names as the au-
thors and supporters Of great errors. George
Washington has been quoted here as Know
nothing by a perversion Of one Of his military
orders; Thomas Jefferson has been intro
duced before US the original inventor of the
higher law; and we have even been invited to
q feast, composed of obscure and dusty tradi-
tions, at which both Franklin and Madison
have been made to figure as modern Abo-
litionists. May say to my colleague that this
practice is much better honored in the breach
than in the observance
Nor is it my purpose either to allude to any
of the gentlemen named BY my colleague,
myself included, OF 10 explain their positions
these questions that is matter which will
take care of itself Ny purpose is to address
myself entirely TO that portion of his remarks
which related to that distinguished Pennsylva-
nian, James Buchanan.
Tan daar1r ,r,th ,ba ;Jo, ,l,,G,.
is work of supererogaton for me to come to
the rescue of the noble and glorious stand
which the Democracy of Pennsylvania has
taken and maintained fearlessly and boldly
before the country, in every crisis where the
Constitution or the Union was assailed or en-
dangered. | call the attention of the House
and the country to the fact, that Of all the
northern States there is none which has con-
fessedy been more undertaking In its defense
of national doctrines than the State which ]
have the honor in part to represent. ! say
coniessedly, because the evidence of this is 10
be found, not only In the tribute paid to the
record of Pennsylvania by the sound men OF
all parts of the Union. but by the unceasing and
reckless attacks made upon the Democracy OF
that State for their perseverance and fidelity
In times of trial, in resisting the onsets of
fanatcism by the leaders of Abolitionism
Pennsylvania has always occupied this posi-
ton and, standing as it were in the centre
OF the Union, between the North and the South
she has been enabled to resist the advance of
Aboltionlsm, and to protect with her gigantic
energies and imposing example those institu-
tions which are constantly imperiled in the
course of political events. The record Of the
Democracy Of Pennsylvania is luminous. Its
acts and deeds are known throughout the
length and breadth Of the country. / should
only mar that record, and weaken its powerful
force by even attempting to defend it from
assault from any quarter. For its high position
before the country, for its long line of brilliant
acts, known and recognized throughout our
glorious Union, we stand this day more in
debted to the firm, consistent, and fearless
course Of James Buchanan than any other man
living.
Nor, Mr.. Speaker, do deem it necessary to
come to his defense; that is not my object.
DE is understood at this day, as have already
stated. TO be prominent candidate for the
Presidency, presented by his own great State
with unparalleled unanimity. In forty years Of
public service he has made record which
emphaticaly say here, needs no vindication al
my hands. Upon that record he now stands
before the country; but as public opinion, with
great propriety, in an exciting crisis like the
present, is necessarily drawn TO close and
serutlnlzlng investigation OF all the acts and
opinions of public men, even to a misrepre.
sentation Of these opinions, deem it neces-
sary here, and in my place, and for the last
time, as far ! may be able, to settle this
matter, 80 far as it relates to Mr. Buchanan.
The public life and character Of this distin-
guished gentleman is so completely identified
with the history Of the Democracy of his ma.
tive State, that il is impossible TO separate
them; and ! could not defend the one without
defending the other. Ny object now is, not so
much even TO offer defense of Mr.. Buchanan
as it is to expose the character Of the covert
attacks that may be made upon his public life
and political position, designed 10 have an in.
furious effect upon the country at this particu-
lar crisis. In the other wing Of the Capitol he
has been associated with the abest intellects OF
the day in supporting constitutional principles.
Sir. you recollect this we'll as ! do F; and /
will not consume the time Of the House by re.
hearsing his record, familiar as it is to the
people Of the country, but come at once to the
n m al. q a NJ II