Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-09-06
Buchanan Friend Of the Working
Man

buCGanaD q E11end OF tAc w OrKlng
Man.
Appeal to working men, are generally
humbugs of the meanest and most contempt
tible sort says the New York National Dem
ocrat. They are filed with clap trap, mis-
statements and buncombe. They start
with the supposition that all working men
are fools and require to be eoaxed or delu-
ded. 1t may answer in English or French
elections to make great show and pretense
of sympathy and love; but the laboring
classes are too Intelligent and well informed
in this country to be caught by such full
some and insulting appeals. No rcspeeta-
bic newspaper condescends to them. No
Public speaker will attempt such appeals
who fears ridicule and regards himself
Yet in heated campaigns, when the small fry
of parties become active in the cause, we oe-
casionally see and hear something of these
absurd ..appeals to working men," and We
must presume that those who make such
appeals actually suppose that some good re-
suits from them to their own cause. Else
they would not have made them.
Some reckless partizan sheets have in
vented a story that Mr. Buchanan was not a
friend to the working men," 1t is eau ght
up and repeated by the less decent of the
Black Republican" and Know Nothing
press. The Democratic papers have as yet
scarcel9 noticed the ridiculous SANDER,
deeming it, doubtless, beneath their atten-
ton. We do not propose to examine the
allegation, for that were doing it and its au-
thors too much honor but We place upon
record simply, the following letter, written
by Mr.. Buchanon some nineteen years ago,
when a United States Senator from Penn
sylvania, to the Hon. Mahlon Dickerson,
then Secretary of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 1887.
"lNy Dear Sir Permit me to address
you on shbiect which has eYcited much
feeling throughout the city of Philadelphia,
and has enlisted my warmest sympathies.
live hundred mechanics have been sud
denlx thrown cut of the employment in the
Navy Yard in Philadelphia, lat this mele-
mcnt season of the year. Most of them de-
pending on their daily labor for their daily
bread, you can easily appreciate what must
be their suffering. Their large families Gas
a friend informs me) are in a most lamenta-
bic condition, and God only knows what will
become of them unless Government gives
them employment.
''Now, Sir, allow me to remark, that
nothing short of necessity ought TO compel a
paternal Government to place such body
of mechanics who have faithfully performed
their duty in such deplorable circumstances.
| know that feelings of your hear will res
pond to this sentiment. Why not, then,
make am effort for their relief? They ask
10 favor but to DE permitted to give, in
their labors, on equivalent for bread for
themselves, their wives and their children.
| understand there is nova irigate in the
Navy Yard, en- which they might be en-
ployed. - ,..ea,.e !. 50
Even if the Department, under other cir
cuidstanees, should deem it piore advisable,
for the present, to delay her completion,
still mere question of few months in
point of time becomes comparatively insig-
nifcant when weighed in the balance
against humanity and justice Besides, I'M
less the Navy Yard at Philadelphia is to be
abandoned which | trust is not contempla-
ted by the Department, it is of great impor-
lance 10 tnc government W plcNoho SUI
body of faithful and skillful mechanics from
dispensing.
Il, therefore, appeal to you with conf
dence, to grant them employment-and
almost envy you the power of comforting
blessings upon so many industrious and
meritorious citizens, without doing injury
to the Government.
feel confident you will pardon me for
requesting as early an answer to this COM
munication as may be consistent with your
convenience. ~,
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN
s'Hon. Mahlon Dickcrson, Secretary Of
the Navy
If the writer ofthat letter be not friend
of the laboring men, then We have only te
hope that they have many such enemies
Al IL e