The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-28
MIR. BucHASAN,s COURTESY in DEBATE.

During Mr. Buchanans long service in the two houses
Congress he was distinguished for his rigid observance
1.-THE rules of courteous debate which characterize the
Agh-toned and honorable gentleman. Calm, discreet
sfpossessed and brave he knew that the true way Of
scurng respect to himself was respect the feelings OF
ahers Some men Of unqueslonable honor and integrity
e liable to impulses Of passion which lead them into tenn
orary alterations from the courtesies Of respectful de-
te Mr. Buchanan had strong and generous impulses
II nature as most men, but he succeeded in subecting
hem the control Of his cool and dspassonate Judgment
md by that means, although there is now no living man
yho has so much engaged in political discussions
be most exciting party Questions, we venture to assert
hat of his living contemporaries retain any sense Of
injury ever done by him. and that of the ustrious
dead with whom he had political conflicts carried with
hem to their graves any but the kindes feelings towards
him.
1t so happens that we can call to mind but two in
stances in which Mr.. Buchanan involved in personal
alterations in debate which threatened for the time to
transcend the bounds Of parliamentary decorum. Both Of
hese instances connected with the miserable ten
ants-a-dayr charge which cut conspicuous figure in
ls4o This charge touched Mr., Buchanan point on
which he was peculiarly sensitive 1t implied that he I'M
errated the importance and character of the aborng
# the country. Every ACT or his life had shown that he
vas the earnest and constant friend of the working
This sentiment constituted of the leading features in
he very speech in favor Of the subtreasury system from
which the charge was falsely deduced When Mr. Davis
Massachusetts, therefore % far msnerpreed misrepe
ented Mr. Buchanan pon deduce from that speech
he charge Of hostility the interests Of laboring men, il
not surprising that NJ buchanan repealed the injury in
The strongest languag, that he could command The
royersy became bitts and personal but Mr.. Davis
anstransd to admit that the speech contained such
continent ns had been charged upon Mr. Buchanan.
The other instance uded to occurred in of those
qnant but pleasant ncontres between Mr. Clay and Mr.
Blu hanan which freenty envened the debates of the
Senate and excited III admiration Of their friends Mr.
Tyler had vetoed the Acal bank In s4l and the demo.
cratic senators did the expression Of their graf
hca,on Mr. Clay rdorted to mode of warfare in which
he had few competito he drew picture of portion OF
he democratic senaots visiting Mr. Tyler congratulate
him, and in the foreground he placed Mr.. Buchanan
The organ and spokesman of the democrats II done
in mimi table style ADJ In vein of great pleasantly but
in the Of his remarks be alins"a Tho
nae. When he cb,ed Mr. Buchanan ssis Le had lis
'secd with pleasure all he had said except his suson
the eieconeeripg apg Of the late contest on the sub
ec of low wages This remark said Mr.. Buchanan,
was wholly unworthy Of that senator, and he intended TO
answer 1t it deserved Mr. Clay ntcrposed and like
truly generous and brave man, assured Mr. Buchanan
that his remark ad been uttered merely in playful
manner and intended to wound the senator's feel
lng in the east7 N Buchanan accepted the explanation
and said she was tlad they were friends again. We
give these incidens well to illustrate the character q
Mr. Buchanan for gilemanly and courteous bearing as
% show that he wasrromp and decided in repeling
just aggrssons They show, moreover how utterly base
less the charge Of which the collisions grew, and
Illustrate The relations of cordial friendship which ex-
ised between Mr. Clay and Mr. Buebanan--s friendship
which was uninterrupted during Mr. Claws life.