The union Democrat., 1856-08-30
The War of 1912, and Mr.. Buchanan.

Among the thousands ofdemocrats who deemed
the war of 1912 unnecessary, and who opposed it
until it was finally brought upon the country, was
James Buchanan. But no sooner did the first
blast of war resound, ere he volunteered to de-
fend that country then as now so dear to HIM
The necessity for the war, though the latter was
supported by his valor even TO its close was not
recognized by him at first His views, however,
became changed in a very short period afterward,
as he grew older, and experience gave him broader
scope for observation
The following letter from Mr. Buchanan was
written in reply to one from distinguished gen.
tleman from Tennessee, then as now prominent
member ot Congress, as an answer to some indi-
cations of displeasure by certain parties in Ten
nessee at his having been appointed Secretary of
State by Mr.. Polk, in consequence as alleged of
his having opposed the war His answer was
conclusive. We never heard anything more of
Mr. Buchanan's dislOyaty to his country from
that day to this, save from those corrupt presses
and politicians, whose aiment is sander and
whose weapons of warfare are falsehood and ira
ductlon Never was more clear and radical
answer given to charges against any man. 1t
breathes the purest nobility of soul and benig-
nantly submits whether lifetime of generous
services in the cause of ones country is no atone
ment for the simple entertainment of an abstract
principle far back as it were in boyhood, and
and that too after it had been so readily abau-
doned by him
We regard this letter of Mr.. Buchanan's as
one OF the most exalted pledges of that purity of
political character, which adorns his private rcpu-
tatlon. 1t is paper worthy the perusa of all
a 'i,e9el If dignity. truihfulness .any4 81
triotism. Since ii was penned, the people have
witnessed Mr.. Buchanan's craftsmanship as the
head of the State Department during an admins
tration which it is the pride Of the nation to re-
member; they have seen him like a sage in re-
tlIement; and then again as minister to the
greatest court in Europe We ask auy man to
point to a single public act of Mr. Buchanans
whole life that has not redounded to his countrys
glory. 1t cannot be done. He stands unimpeached
and unimpeachable, before his coUntrymen and
the world, as the embodiment of pure statesman
unsullied and uncontaminated
But here is his letter referred to:
WASHINGTON, .fpril s3, 1s47.
NJ Dear Sri have this moment received your letter of
the 18th instant. and hasten
In one respect have been fortunate public man. My
political enemies obliged 60 back than thirty
years Ia find plausible charges against
In 1914, when young (beIng this day 56 years
of sge) made my first public speech before meeting OF
my elowczens of Lancaster. The object OF this speech
to urge upon them the duty of volunteering their SER
vices defence of the common country
pany was raised upon the spot in which was the fret,
believe, TO enter private. We forthwith pro
ceeded 10 Baltimore and served until we were honoraby
discharged
In October, 1874 was elected member of the Penn
syvania legislature and in that body my support to
every calculated in opinion to aid the country
against the common enemy
In 1875 after peace had been concluded did express
opinions relation the and conduct OF the
which very after regretted and recalled Since that
period have been ten years member OF the House OF
Representatives, and equal time of the Senate, actin.
part on every great question My political enemies finding
nothing assaahe during this long public career now resort
back to youthful years for expressions to nure my po
ica character The brave and generous citizens OF
to whatever political party they may belong will agree
that this hard of Justice and is still harder
that for this they should condemn the President
having voluntarily offered scat in his cabinet.
never deemed proper any period of my life, whilst
the country actually engaged in the war with foreign
enemy, utter which could Interfere with IFS
successful prosecution Whilst the with Great Britain
raging should have deemed little better than moral
treason paraly of the government whilst deal
ing blows against the enemy. After peace concluded
the different Ny enemies point to
precision uttered by during the continuance Of the
which was not favorable TO its vsc-nus prosecution
From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. GEORGE w JONES.