Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-07-10
S From the Washington Union.
Mr.. Buchanan and the War Of 1912.


From the Washington Union,
Mr.. Buchanan and the War Of 1912. |
We see that several Of the know
nothing and black republican organs
have reproduced speech made by /
Dir. Buchanan on the 4th July, 1915,
in which are sentiments in regard
to the war with Great Britain that
had then closed, which now find no
response in the public mind. AS
Objectionable as We admit some of
these sentiments TO be, We think the
objection is made with an exceeding
ly i'll grace by those who are daily
giving utterance to opinions and
doctrines far moro unpatriotio and
un-American than anything to be
found in that speech. Mr.. Buchan-
ans position and cours in the war of
1872 have one redeeming feature
which cannot be found in the present
position and course of his assailants.I
He was opposed to the policy of war
and censured the administration for
its mode Of conducting it; but after
the war was declared, be manifested
his devotion to his country by shout
dering bis musket and marching 20
its defence. Like thousands Of true
patriots of that day, Mr.. Buchanan
differed with Mr.. Madison's admins
tration as toits war policy, but his
heart and soul were with his country
and be was ready to risk his life in
its defence. He never belonged 20
that class of opponents In the war
who kept up their opposition and
gave aid and comfort to the enemy
after the var was declared. Mr..
Buchanan's assailants occupy o posi-
ton at the present time which has a
striking parallel in. the conduct Of
that unpatriotic class of opponents
of the war of 1912, who covered
their names with infamy by the sym
pathy which they manifested for the
enemy.
But tits not our purpose todignify
this stale charge against Dir. Buch-
anan by an elaborate defence. He
had the magnanimity soon after the
speech was made, to acknowledge the
error Of the sentiments it contained,
land to retraet them;and now for more
than thirty years, be has devoted
bis talents and bis energies to those
Igreas democratic principles on which
rests the continually increasing pros
Iperity and glory of the country. To
show how ready Mr.. Buchanan has ever
been to retiace anerroneous opinion,
las well as bis firmness and fearless.
mess in maintaining bis position when
hs believes it to be right, we have
obtained permission of Hon. George
W. Jones, Of Tennessee, to publish
a letter written to him in l847, by
Mr.. Buchanan, which will place this
anti war charge in its true light. MI
Buchanan was, at the date Of this
letter, a member Of Mr.. Folks cab,
inet, and in the canvass in Tennessee
Mr.. Polk vas assailed for appointing
to so elevated a position a mau who
had opposed the war Of 1912. MI
Jones addressed letter to MIR
Buchanan, asking him for the facts
connected With the charge. To thi:
letter MIR. Buchanan gave the follow,
ing frank reply, which Mr.. Jones has
allowed US to publish:
WAsHINGToN, April %, 1847.
! My DEAR SIR: have this mo.
ment received your letter Of the
| 10th instant, and hasten to return ar
answer.
/ In one respect, l have been ftrSu
nate as public man. My political
enemies are obliged to go back fol
more than thirty yearsto find plausible
Icharges against me.
In 1914, when a very young mar
| (being this day SO years Of age
made my first public speech before q
meeting Of my fellow citizens of Ian
caster. The object of this speech
was to urge upon them the duty o.
volunteering their services in defence
Of their invaded country. A vol
unteer company was raised on the
spot, in which was first to enter
my name as a private. We forth
with proceeded to Baltimore, and
served until we were honorably dis
charged. ~
In 1914 / was elected q member
of the Pennsylvania Legislature; and
in that body gave my support to