Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-29

ing oech Supefnne Unlon man, has been
converted into fire-eater, equal to Mr. Cbau-
bert himselt-when Mr.. Cobb came into Penn
| sylvania. and traveISed our State from end to
end, and IRON county to county, talking to
delighted audiences all the time, what was the
burden OF his theme Why-Popular Sow
ereignty. would take the Army and Navy,
L would use every power of the Federal Gov
ernment, / would surround the Territory but
what the people of Kansas should vote, and
by their vote the destinics Of the future State
should be decided. Whenever a Southern
orator came into Pennsylvania and called up
! on me, said to him Snow, Sir, l have
but one thing to say to you, we have bu. a
single thing before the people; every day is
making the campaign more and more doubtful;
every day is making the popular feeling more
and more intense; Mr.. Buchanan himself
feels that everything depends upon the pru-
dence, the sagacity, and the spirit of concill-
alton by which this campaign is conducted,
and for q od's sake take care what you say
| about Kansas; leave your violent Southern
feelings at home; you must not come TO
threaten; you Governor Johnston, and you
Mr.. Scott, of Richmond, andsyou Mr.. Extra
Billy Smith, and yOu Mr.. Secretary Floyd,
all of yon, must remember that if you lose
this battle here, you lose it altogether it will
| be your loss, and therefore you must allow
to manage it in our way. And they did
accede to ahat policy, without any protestation,
and gladly. There was no deception in that
fight, at least far as 1 was concerned.
WED the State with private letters and pri-
vate pledges upon this question. There is
not county in Pennsylvania in which my
letters may not be found, almost by hui dreds,
pledging Mr.. Buchanan. in his name, and by
his authority, to the full complete and prac-
teal recognition CT the rights of the people of
Kansas to decide upon their own affairs. ZAP
plansc
Gentlemen, he was elected. He formed his
cabinet. He issued his inaugural address.
And here, ut this point, let me say, that the
public confidence inspired by his nomination
by the Democratic party. and the apprehension
CT his election inspired in the Republican
ranks, that public confidence in the man was
renewed and revired by the publication of his
Inaugural Address. The Republicans many
OF them hO had voted for John G. Fremont,
said: s.We believe in Mr.. Buchanan; if he
stands by the doctrines of this inaugural Ad-
dress we will stand by him. Now, had he
done SO, the Republican and the American
parties, in my opinion, would have been ex-
tnguished would have been one great,
happy, national family. Alter ALL what the
great mass of the people@in this country de-
sire is good Government. Every man in
this country is not an office seeker. Nine out
of ten are disinterested in their relations TO
this Government. and they are ready to vote
for John b. Haskin, or for John Smith, if they
have confidence in the man and Mr.. Buchan-
an would have suited the country well as
any other man, if he had but fulfilled his pied
gcs and therefore il was that when his inau-
gura address published, they said one to
the other-We believe in Mr.. Buchanan We
sorry we have not voted for him I; but we
are willing to trust him and stand by him to
the end Mr.. Buchanan had before him fu-
turc which Washington, if he had been living,
might have env vied-a future which, if he had
walked resolntely in the path he had marked
out-the path illuminated by his resolutions
and pledges-would have allowed him to go
down to the grave with the acclamatinn of the
people. rosterIty would have pointed to his
administration model and example to all
generations Pen 1sylvania would have had no
cause to have been ashamed of her once favor
ite son. No, my fellow countrymen but be
did not stop here. As if for the purpose OF ac-
cumulatng pledge upon pledge, as if for the
purpose of piling up pyramid Of promises
upon the question, what did he do next +? He
looked around TO see whom he should get to
go to Kansas for the purpose of settling the
veXed question which had rendered Kansas,
what it has been graphically termed. .sthe
graveyard of Governors He sought no in
ferior man he would not be tempted to take
an ordinary man. He selected gentleman, a
statesman, who had been presented by a large
portion of the leading and prominent men OF
the South for seat in his Cabinet, who had
for years represented his State in the councils
of the Nation. He selected Robert j. Walk
er. And when he called upon Mr.. Walker,
and asked him to proceed to the territory, Mr..
Walker said TO him, s.Why, Mr.. Buchanan,
that would finish me forever it has ruined ev-
cry man who has gone there it will ruin me.
l have reached that time of life when cannot
afford to risk all my prospects, and probably
tie peace and happiness of my family" And
he said further, as if gifted with knowledge
of the future, al cannot run the risk of being
most probably betrayed and deserted by the
Administration that appoints me-" Mr.. Bu-
chanan said to him, s.Mr. Walker, If you will
go there, you will settle this question in a few
weeks. Everything is ready; here your
instructions. pledge you my word that ev
erything You desire you shall have" Mr..
Walker, as if inspired by sublime suspicion,
said, ssMr. Buchanan, | will not go to Kansas
until you allow me to meet your Cabinet face
to face, and ascertain from that cabinet in per-
son whether they will agree that l shall go
there and carry out the pledges of the cam
paign of 1885," Accordingly, a meeting of
the Cabinet of Mr.. Buchanan was called. At
the meeting every member of the Cabinet was
present. Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Walker were
present-Nr. Buchanan in the chair. Cover
nor Walker said, 81 have desired this meeting
because have determined not to 60 to Kan
Sas unless have full Instructions to carry out
those pledges and those principles; if there is
any opposing voice, L will not go l do not
want TO go; it is by no means enviabe po-
sition; but if have the permission and con-
sent OF you, gentleman, for this have asked, |
l will go.'' The Cabinet was polled but one
member of the Cabinet objected to the pro-
gramme laid down by Gov. Walker. l need
not mention his name. Gov. Walker SAID,
ssThat settles the question, gentlemen; do
not wish to go , single negative is sufficient,
and | will retire from the field" But they
took that member IF the Cabinet into an ad-
Joining room, and there they convinced him
that Gov. Walker was right. They returned