Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-08-02
Mr. Buchanan and his Antcceoentg.

We traced in our last issue, the political
history of Mr.. BrcuAN>y. up TO the time OF
his retiring from office, in 1919.
At the expiration Of four years, we again
find him in public life occupying one OF the
most important and responsible positions at
the disposal of the government. His appoint
ment BY Mr.. PIERCE, as Minister to the Court
of st. James, was regarded we believe, by all
parties, i very jndlc!ous che. There were al
ready several important questions of dispute
between oar own and the British govern
meut, that called loudly for settlement, and
Others continually arising, which required Tor
their proper solution, not only a iaT-seeIns
craftsmanship and great diplomatic skill, but
an untlinching iirmness. These qualifications
Mr.. BrcllANAN was supposed to possess, at
least by his friends. in an eminent degree. But
what has the result proven? Simply that he
either possessed none of the qualifications
ascribed TO him, or what is still worse, posses
sin. them. he criminally failed to use them to
promote the best interests of his government,
His mission was an utter failure. Not d
single question olIi>pute involving any 1egree
Of difficulty, in its settlement to cur kno"l-
edge, was disposed OF, during his three years
abroad.
We said his mission was an utter failure
it was, SO far as respects any good, that was
accomplished, but in another point Of view,
.ro ,p-a-+ic, ,t.,oS Dnf holt frI,a In q urp1f
measure We believe Mr.. BUCHANAN to be re-
>]ponsible for the difficulties arising out Of the
famous Enlistment Question. No one can
believe for a moments that the British Govern
ment would have had the audacity to recruit
in the United States. for service against 4 ma
ton with which we were on the most TREND
ly terms. contrary to law and the established
policy of our government, unless it had been
encouraged to believe the offence would be
wiuked at. This encouragement Mr.. Er-
cuANAN did give the British Government, IN
his Guild Hall speech. and the consequences
finally, came very near involving the two
countries in a disastrous war. In that speech
. sticks outn the same disgusting toadyism
that characterized his whole ministerial
course. Not satisfied with indelirately making
the public announcement. that his svmpathIrs
were with Err!"@1 +" t@H contest WIKI
Russia. he hal ;.r .-"1T.tl"H :" t~,"rt that
the Syn,pathir, "l tie A.Icl.can lc,. .c cor
Responded with his cvn.
Believing that Mr.. Buchanan expressed
the sentiments of the great masses Of his
countrymen as we'll as his government, it Is
no wonder the British Government, adopted
the suggestion such a belief would naturally
give rise to, and sought to recruit her shatter-
ed forces in the United States. But We do
not charge Mr.. Buchanan, simply, with be
ing guilty of making such a sCggestion-he
was guilty of disappearing the sentiment
Of the American people, in saying they sym
pathised with England, in the Eastern war:
Tor unless we greatly misunderstood the SEN
timent Of the people of this country. thei'
svmpathies and best wishes were with Rus
STA during that contest. How could they be
otherwise7 The friendly relations between
Russia and the United States had never beer
e interrupted for a single moment, while the
case was far different with England. There
was another consideration, however, which
more directly and more powerfully affected
public sentiment in this matter, and more
! strongly enlisted the sympathies of our PEG
/ pie in behalf of Russia-the conviction, that
a if the Allied Powers conquered, the progress
of rational liberty, would be retarded at leas
! a half a century, whereas, if they faile'
there would be cause to hope for the speed.
~ regeneration Of Eurore. But all Mr.. Buch
: terred to above, are entirely thrown into tn
shade, when compared with his act of resign
5 alton. He resigned at 4 moment when gu
relations with England were assuming
portentious aspect-when long pending ques
e tons of dispute were being forced to all issu
" and when a SPLENDID opportunity offered ltse
for him to atone for his previous three veal
Of "inglorious easel or stupid m!snanage
ment-and resigned for what? To assist i
securing his nomination to the presidenc,
l. prefering his own personal agrandisement t
the discharge Of his obligations to his cour
~ try!
N Since Mr.. BucHANAN's return from En-
T. gland, he has neither done nor said anythin
T. worthy of notice, except to endorse, most en-
I'd phatically in his letter of acceptance, tn
odious doctrine of "Squatter Sovereignty
1t is not our purpose to show, here, thu
this doctrine, in the language Of JOIN c. Cal
st uouS, is the most monstrous ever advocate
by an American Statesman, that, it is in d
IN rect opposition to State rights and State equa