The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-06-18

we wisn 10 ask rev plain questions and
make few plain suggestions about Mr..
Buchanan, in all candcr and fairness. and
we ask candid men to consider them serious.
~ and faithfully, in the spirit in which they
are presented, for they are worthy of an
honest and earnest examination.
1t is undoubtedly true that it was the bet
Ter, honester- minded and more conservative
portion of the Democratic party, generally
speaking, who desired the nomination of
Mr.. Buchanan, and who have been most graft
ned by his selection. Why is that ? Is it
not because they feel that Pierce and Doug
lass are unsafe and dangerous men that
they have precipitated a fearful issue upon
the country, unnecessarily that the repeal
OF the Missouri Compromise was the thing
which has brought upon the country the
great peril under which it now labors, and
that it and oil its consequences have been
countenanced, encouraged and assisted by
them that the character Of Buchanan is
such that under his administration this i'm
broglio would have been avoided heretofore,
and any thing like it will be avoided in the
future? Democrats don't feel willing to
confess openly that all this is true, perhaps,
but we ask them il it is not true that some
thing like this feeling has prevailed with
them9 And we would ask any others who
may be inclined to support Mr.. Buchanan,
If similar feeling has not affected them 7
Then let US ask, Is there any thing more to
be presumed of Mr.. Buchanan in this re-
gard now, than there was of Mr.. Pierce
when he was nominated Mr.. Pierce does
not stand in the position now that he did then.
He does not stand in a position now that he
would then have been willing to consent to-,
or that he could have anticipated it possible
for him to consent to. We believe candid
men will confess that. Well, if he does not.
is it not in consequence Of an influence in
his party and the country which it was i'm
possible for him to withstand? Now these
are the first questions right here Does the
charactee of Mr.. Buchanan warrant us in
presuming that he has greater capacity to
resist that inauence than Mr.. Pierce has !?
and do the antecedents Of Mr.. Buchanan
Justify US III such an inference Ii not, then
the impression with reference to him, which
we have Indicated above, is without sufficient
reason, aud IS an unsafe reliance. We ask
men to reflect upon this point, and calmly
examine the evidence with reference 40 il.
We believe that it is abundantly demonstra-
bic that Mr.. Buchanan has, to saw the least.
exhibited quite as great readiness to sue
cumb to that influence rs Franklin Pierce
or almost any prominent man in the country.
We believe it is true that there are few lead
ing men in the country who have exhibited
iess hrnness Of character and personal decis-
ion than he Certainly it is true that Gen.
Jackson SO regarded him, and cautioned
Polk: and certainly is it true that Polk, who
took him into his counses nevertheless. so
confessed, al last, with regret. And can the
reader remember single instance wherein
Mr.. Buchanan has exhibited that quality? p
or can he remember single instance where
in he has not, with alacrity, and from the
sturt, fallen in with what seemed the ten
dency Of his party, in whatever direction,
and under the management of whatever
leaders? And in respect TO the particular
affairs which now agitate the country. we
beg to remind the reader of the fact that in
lis published letters be very early and very
committed himself to the same
,icws which have governed Pierce and
With reference to the Missouri
and the effect Of its repeal upon