Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-11
From the Boston Journal.
The President Seven Years Ago.

The letter from Mr.. Buchanan in 1852,
which has been brought to light on ac-
count of its remarks on public expendi
lures, is certainly a curious document. A
more cutting rebuke of Mr.. Buchanan's
own administration need not be written.
Appealing from Philip drunk to Philip
sober was not more appropriate, than Is
the permitting of James Buchanan, the
letter writer, to pronounce upon the con-
duct of James Buchanan, the President
We quote few instances in point. In
stating the issues on which the Demo-
Gratis must 90 before the American people
the letter of 1852 says:
'We must inscribe upon our banners a
sound regard for the preserved rights of
the States, a strict construction of the
constitution, a denial to Congress of all
powers not clearly granted by that instru-
ment, and rigid economy in public ex-
penditures.'
Is not this a sweeping condemnation OF
an administration which recommends the
dangerous novelty of Mexican protec-
torate, desires the prerogative of the war
making power, and sets an example OF
prodigality hitherto unprecedented?
Again, in 1852, Mr.. Buchanan says
that the public expenditures have reached
'the enormous sum Of fifty millions oil
dollars per annum,' and he adds:
Tam conrinced that oar expenses ough
to be considerably reduced belof0 the pres
ent standard, not only without detriment
but with positive advantage both 10 the
government and the people,
But in 1859, when our expenses are
more than ninety millions, the same Mr.
Buchanan proposes a series of measures
which would add at least one-half more tC
this sum.
Again the letter-writer says:
Money, from the national treasury, i
constantly demanded to enrich contract
ors. spectators and agents; and thes
projects are gilded over with every al
lurement which can be impaired to then
by ingenuity and talent
Bat the President responds by uphold
ing a system which VIGOROUSLY enriche
contractors in every part of the country
and by recommending a new project 70
the outlay of thirty millions, and gildin
it over with the allurement Of rcdeemin
'benighted Africa
The private letter proceeds:
Claims which had been condemned b
former decisions, and had become rust
with age, have been again revived, an
have been paid, principal and interest,"
Indeed, there seems to be one general rus
to obtain money from the treasury on an
and every pretence.
The last public message urgently rec
ommends that one old, rusty claim, cor
demned by former decisions of the ST.
preme Court of the United States, ar
by the action of Congress-known as tn
Amistad claim-shalI be revived an
paid, principal and interest. We ougI
to remark, however, that the rush to Oh
tain money from the Treasury in 185:
is somewhat diminished now by the fa
that there is no money in the Treasur.
The letter of1852 closed with touel
ing reference to old Roman times, whe
the public money was employed by ar
full and ambitious demogogues to secul
their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and genuh
liberty soon expired and had the follow
ing comment:
1T is true that the forms of the repu
lie continued for many years, but the an
mating and aspiring soul had fed fore
er. ] entertain no serious apprehensio
that we shall ever reach this point, y
we may still profit By their example,
Itso happens that the people do ente
tain apprehensions, unless the party nc
in power, which has shown a deteriorati
family imaged in the changed views a
practice of James Buchanan within t
last seven years, shall be speedily d
lodged from the places of trust it has
grievously abused.
leath Of an Agfd Printer and Editnr.