Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-10-09


tate Notice, and Sherilf-s Sales.
| The idea Of james Buchanan writing a
letter to Union meeting in this crisis,
says the Philadelphia Press, is the subim-
| ity of impudence, and if we did not know
with how much heartlessness he contem-
/ plated and assisted in the ruin of his coun-
try, we should be amazed at his temerty
in sending such hollow professions forth
among a people who only permit his pres
ence in their midst on account of his years.
Had the action Of the ex-President been
"prompt" and "energetic," we should not
now te divided and beligcrant people
Had he repelled from his presence the in
famous men who drove him into the Lee
compton treachery had he dismissed the
corrupt ministers who robbed the national
treasury; had he tolerated differences
among independent democrats upon great
national questions, his name would not
now be Kissing and a scorn among the
nations of the earth. One fact alone
stamps James Buchanan with the brand of
immortal infamy, and that is the manner
in which he encouraged Jacob Thompson,
his Secretary of the Interior, after Missis-
sippi had left the Union This Thomp-
son retained his place in Buchanans Cabi-
net, and absolutely acted as a commission
er from his own State (Mississippil to the
State of North Carolina, in order to seduce
the latter 70 follow the same example,
When he returned he was not only wei
coined by the President, but after he had
retired from the Cabinet on account of the
attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter Buchan-
an gave him great State dinner and
wrote him an approving farewell letter
Silence in these dark hours would have
been the better course for the ex- President
to have pursued. The following is a copy
of the letter referred to
WHEArLAND near LANCASTER, Pa, !
September %
DEAR SIR; | have been honored by your
kind invitation, as chairman Of the appro.
pirate committee, TO attend and address n
Union meeting of the citizens Of Chester and
Lancaster counties. TO be held at Haysyille
Oh the first Of0ctober This I should gladly
accept. proceeding as it does from a much
valued portion Of my cid Congressional dis
trict, but advancing years and the present
state of my health render il impossible
You correctly estimate the deep interest
which 1 feel, IN common with the citizens
who will there be assem- bled, in the present
condition of our country. This is indeed Sc
riOus but cur recent military reverses, so far
from producing dependency in the minds of
q loyal and powerful people, will only ami
mate them to more mighty exertions in sus-
tanning war which has become inevitable by
the assault of the Confederate States upon
| Fort Sumter.
| For this reason, were it possible for NE to
address you, waving all other topics,
| should confine myself to solemn and earn
| est appeal to my eountrymen, and especially
! those without families, to volunteer for the
war, and join the many thousands of brave
! volunteers who are already in the field.
! This is the moment for action /; for prompt,
| energetic and united action and not for the
discussion of peace propositions. These, we
must know, would be rejected by the States
( that have seeded, unless We should offer to
! recognize their independence, which is en-.
/ tireiy out of the question.
Better counses may hereafter prevail, when
these people shall be convinced that the war
I is conducted, not for their conquest or suhiu-
CATION, bat solely for the purpose Of bring
ing them back to their original position in
the Union, without impairiRg in the slightest
/ degree any of their constitutional rights.
Whist therefore, we shall cordially hail
thelr return under our common and glo-
nous flag, and welcome them as brothers, vet
until that happy day shall arrive, it will be
our duty 60 support the President with all
the men and means at the command of the
/ country, in vigorous and successful prose
cution Of the war. Yours. very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
SgE@There has been so much dissatisfac-
-. L Il 4