Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-28
INTERVIEW WITH fHE PRESIDENT.
MAsHlNuroN, Feb. 20. 1s5a

dent. Mr. Scott, MIR. Collins of AmOor River
and Mr.. Aspinwall, all of California, accompa-
MED me. We found the old gentleman dress
ed in his morning gown and slippers, in his Of.
fee. Our reception was very cordial. He is
venerable old man-more so than the pic
lures of him indicate-but he has the fire of
youth in has faculties yet never liked him
as politician, and have always wondered
how such man, who, through long series of
years of public life, cannot, at the close of it,
present single brilliant point-a single indi-
vidual spark of genius by which his existence
may be distinguished from any other existence
Il have wondered how such man has been
able to keep himself so prominently before the
American people. He never was a favorite of
the people-he was always an aristocrat, in
wealth and sentiment. Never on but one &C.
casion has he come in direct contact with the
people, and then he became the first minority
President of the country, and to-day he con-
tinues minority President. The first speech
of the boy and the last speech of the old man
corresponding is not one of the people, but
sits enthroned above them "by the grace of
God" Other public men have left prints upon
the sands of time, by which their posterity may
trace up pedigree but j. B. was born and
full if he ever had parents, though there is no
doubt of his having relations. He has not rep
resentative offspring, either in his own proud
halls nor in his country's chronicles. His only
offspring has been political tricks and NANTES.
tos by which j. B. may retain official station.
But am a long way from my story: we were
Californians, and the President is particularly
courteous to that kind of men; besides, we
were attended by Mr.. Scott, of our State, who
is great favorite with the President. And
the conversation Immediately turned upon
things important, as,-"Had any of us come
overland?" Yes,-then he must be informed
of the journey. He expressed himself strong
ly in favor of keeping open all the avenues to
the Pacifc,-because they develop resources,
and aid settlements, and are thus benefit to
the whole nation But he said there was dan
ger that these avenues might be closed up, on
account of the factous opposition of majority
of Congress, to any measure he had proposed
for the national good. In fact, he said there
was danger of the Government becoming bank
rupt; because Congress seems determined to
adjourn, without providing means to pay the
demands upon the Treasury and that he will
probably have to call an extra session in Au-
| gust, to meet the emergency, which will arise.
He declared the Democratic party-the great
|, .IA
natl platform, and from which they all seem
to have fallen off, except himself,-to be disor-
ganized, split up into all sorts of factions in
capable of adhesion, or of carrying any meas
ure as party-his own adherents, are so few
in numbers, that, without the aid of the "bIack
republicans, " he could not have carried through
any measure at the present session. To them
he was under obligations for unexpected assis-
tencs, on several occasions, but said he, mot a
man of them has ever called upon me-" He
said if he had a Republican Congress, he could
get along better than he does with the factious
unmanageable Democrats, who the moment
he proposes measure for the honor and glory
of his country, raise embarrassing questions
thus he is defeated, continually, and his recon-
mendations pass for nothing. A Republican
Congress, he said, would feel some degree of
responsibility resting upon it, and would act
| with reason.
He spoke of the admission of Oregon but
he did not claim that measure as party sue
cess. He was much pleased at the result
giving credit for it to the high minded Repub-
licans who were not afraid to do right, even
when, by so doing, they voted against their
own friends.
The President declared that he would not
be held responsible for the failure of any
measure of his administration. He believes
we are under the protection of Divine Provi-
dence, and has faith in the future vindication
| of all his acts, before the people, and that his
administration will be not only successful
but popular one. He told us he was then
preparing message, asking for power to pro-
tect our citizens in trdnSitu over foreign terri
tory,-the same message which has since ex-
cited the virtuous Indignation of the press
North and South. He spoke of Cuba and the
| Jill Ito PaosdSC was Il ludLteI
of time; it might fail this year, but it would
come up again, and Cuba would inevitably be
ours. He evidently relies upon the success of
this scheme, more than any other, to make il
lustrious the page of history, which shall cele-
brate the renown of President James Bu-
| chanan
| We remained about half an hour, having
enjoyed very pleasant interview. When we
came out we found the ante-room filled with
Senators, representatives and other distin-
guished men, waiting their time to look upon
the great man, among them, "old 10. Lane"
who, l believe, is the most popular Democrat
in Congress, who had come to thank the
President for his friendly justice to Oregon
walked through the great east room and the
green room, and several others dazzling with
gorgeous ornaments and trappings; but the
chiefest ornament, Miss Lane, was not visible.
We then sauntered out through the grounds,
away the broad avenue, to the Capitol. l
could not help thinking what thing of shreds
and patches, is democracy, since its disintegra-
ton in these last years. w.
The GREAT REPUBLIC MoSTHLY.-Ths maya