Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-10
An Interview with James Buchanan
-The Presi ent's Private Opinion
of the Democratic Party His In
debIedness TO the Republicans Ac-
knOyVledged.
Correspondence of the Worcester spy)
WASHINGTON. Feb. 20, lS5

WASHINGTON. Feb 20, 1859.
One day had an interview with the Pre-
sident. Mr.. Scott, Mr.. Collins. of Amoor
river, and Mr.. Aspinwall. of California, ac-
c0mpanied me. We found the old gentleman
dressed in his morning gown aud slippers, in
his office. Our reception was very cordial.
He is a venerable old man-mOre sn than the
pictures of him indicate-but he has the fire
of youth in faculties yet.
We were attended by Mr.. Scott. of our
State, who is great favorite with the Presi-
dent. 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 strongly in favor of keeping open all
the avenues to the Pacific, because they devel-
op resources, and aid settlements, and are
thus a benefit to the whole nation. But he
said that there was danger that these avenues
might be closed up. on account or the lac
tious 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 bankrupt, because
Congress seems determined to adjourn with
out providing means to pay the demands up
on the treasury-and that he will probably
have to call an extra session in August To
meet the emergency that will arise.
He. declared the Democratic party-the
great party that elected hm-that built the
Cincinnati platform, and from which they all
seem to have fallen off, except himself--to be
dsorganiz. d, split up into all sorts of fac
tions; incapable of adhesion, or of carrying
any measure as a party; his own adherents
are so few in numbers that, without the and
of the Black Republicans" he could not
have carried through any measure at the
present session. To them be was under oh
legations for unexpected assistance on sever
al occasions. but said he. mot 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 Tor The honor aud
glory of the country, raise embarrassing
auestions--in a tone that heaps opprobrium
npon il, and thus he is defeated continually,
and his recommendations pass for nothing.
A Republican Congress, he said, would feel
some degree of responsibility resting upon 1t,
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 with the result,
giving credit for il To the high-minded Re-
pubicans, 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. lie believes
We are under the protection OF Divine Provi-
dence, and has faith in the future vindcation
of his acts. before the people. and that his
administration will be not only successful
but popular one. He told US he was then
preparing a message. asking for the power to
protect our citizens IN trdnSlU over foreign
territory.-the same m ssage which has since
excited The virtuous indignation of the press
north aud south.
He spoke of Cuba and the 80 600, 900 bill.
It's passage was a matttr of time; il might
fail this year. but il would come up again.
and Cuba would inevitably be ours. lie
evidently relies upon the success of this
scheme more than any other, 10 make illus
trious the page Of history. which shall crlc-
brate the renown of President James Bach
anan.
We remained about haitian hour, having en-
joyed a very pleasant interview.
W