Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-15
"sAvE ME FROM MY FRIENDS"

We do not doubt that it was Mr.. Buchanan's
intention, when he found himself elected to the
Chief Magistracy of the country, to adopt and
pursue policy that would promote the har-
mony as well as the interests of the people, and
by SO doing to deserve their confidence, and to
retire amid plaudits of well DONE" even from
the lips of those who had opposed his election.
If such were his desire and intention, no
sooner did he commence his career, even before
he had taken the oath of Office, than he COM
mitted grave error; an irretrievable one. We
alude to the selection of his Cabinet. From
the moment of his nomination, he allowed him
self to be surrounded by men, and to be con-
trolled by an influence most unfortunate and
fatal to him and to his party. From that day
he has been mesmerized and controlled, chiefly
by men who make it their boast that they broke
. up the Wing party, and they may now justly
claim that they have also broken up the Dem
ocratic party. .s#E:... .......
The leading spirit among these quondam
Wings, is Senator Toombs; man of decided
ability, of indomitable courage and resolution,
and who is resolved to rule or ruin any party
to which he may, for the time being, belong.
We question not the patriotism Of his motives,
but he is man of such iron will and self-rel:-
ance, that, in his opinion his judgment is in
falliblc; what he thinks right must be so, end
all others wrong, and all must follow his dicta.
ton, or be prepared to battle with him.
Mr.. Toombs undertook to control President
Taylor and his Administration, but finding the
old soldier made Of too stern material to be
bent and moulded by him, he and his other self
went at once into opposition. Next came Mr..
Fillmore, with whom the same game was at
tempted to be played, but with like result,
and again Messrs Toombs and Stephens joined
the Democratic party, where they have been
ever since. .. ..
Upon the incoming of the present Admins
tration, Mr. Toombs brought his will to bear
upon Mr.. Buchanan II the strong upon the
weak-and the latter was soon as child in his
hands, following wherever the other led,
until he finds himself in a hammock or swamp,
up to his hips in the mire, and still plunging
on, in obedience to the will of his leaders, in
hopes to find terra .Jarma somewhere, though
with nothing butbrambles, thorns, and a bound
less morass in view. His situation, and that of the
Democratic party, is a deplorable one, and fore
IDLY reminds us of that of the Roman legions
under Varrus, in the swamps of Germany, where
they were utterly destroyed
Like the Roman legions, that party was in
vincible to all It's enemies; its columns were
impenetrable its confidence in nitselfunbounded,
and its prestige of victory equal to host; no
power but itself, or the injudiciousness of its
leaders could defeat it; but their rash folly led
it into position where, like the army we have
referred to, it became broken, dispirited, help
less and lost. ...-.
Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, Benjamin,
Pearce, Faulkner, Jones of Tennessee, Cling
man, and other pseudo Wigs, may now sur
yey the scattered wrecks of the Wing and Dem
ocratic parties, and boastingly exclaim, 4" We
did it; zoe are the architects of these ruins we
revenged ourselves upon the Wings, and now
we have the satisfaction of having broken and
dismembered the Democratic party. Yes, soe
did it."