The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-03-21
Buchanan,s Legacy.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press.

Buchanan's Legacy.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1861.
The country and the Administration
of Mr.. Lincoln are beginning to reap
the harvest, the seeds of which were
SO deeply and industriously sown by
James Buchanan. / am not of those
who think present evils are to be cured
by indulging in idle recriminations as
to past mistakes, particularly when the
authors of these mistakes have done
all in their power to atone for their mis-
deeds; but now that we are in the face
of new complications and new dangers,
it is we'll that the responsibility should
be located where it justly belongs.
We can now understand why Mr.. Bu-
chanan waited upon, and paltered in
so many senses with, the Southern con-
spirators-why he permitted the chiefs
of secession to remain in his Cabinet,
and why, when they retired, he fettered
the hands of the brave and patriotic
spirits who succeeded these chiefs.
Completely controlled by the disunion
leaders in his cotton States until his
Cabinet exploded, he was sufficiently
managed by them after this explosion
to yield to their exacting demands, and
to prevent the reinforcement of the
United States fortresses in the south.
The unwonted spectacle Of taking no
step until it was too late to relieve Maj.
Anderson, while the enemies of the
country were surrounding him on all
sides with batteries and preparations of
war, has resulted in leaving him COM
pletely at the mercy of the South Caro-
lima troops. Posterity will hold James
Buchanan to an awful account-for not,
as long ago as October or November,
1860, taking time BY the forelock, and
throwing troops, arms, and ammuni-
tons into the Southern forts, in adj
vance of treason at that day boldly
proclaimed. His inertness, his refusal
to do this thing, was not initiated by
his Cabinet. His Secretary of the
Navy sent off our ships-of. war to dis
tant and to foreign stations; and his
Secretary of War threw into Georgia,
South Carolina and New Orleans an in
credible amount of ammunitions and
arms; while his Secretary of the Treas
ury busted himself. in undermining the
credit of the National Government, by
dissemin ating the doctrine that this
Union could not and should not stand
in the event of Lincoln's election.
Where have these proceedings left our
country to-day? How does Mr.. Lin
coin find himself on entering upon the
discharge of his high duties? The
answer is to be found in the opinion
freely given by the venerable Lieut..
General of the Army of the United
States, Winfield Scott, who declares
that Fort Sumter cannot hold out ten
days against the South Carolina troops
and batteries, and that it could not be
reinforced without the aid of an army
of ten thousand men, backed by our
entire navy.
Hence it is that the opinion begins
10 be entertained and announced of re-
calling Anderson from Fort Sumter, in
order to spare the diffusion of blood
Late intelligence announces that fifteen
days hence Mai. Anderson and bis
troops will be at the point of starvation;
and a highly distinguished authority
argues in this wise; Shall we lei
them surrender, and thereby give the
Southern Conspirators chance to re
joice? Would it not be better if the
government should say to the people
of Sonth Carolina, You have been mis-
led into the belief that the Republican
party, if in power, would encroach
upon your rights, and bring upon the
country civil war. We withdraw our
troops, and show you that you were
mistaken. We could have laid Charles.
ton in ashes, but we forbear, believing
that time will teach you that you were
wrong, that your best interest is to re
turn to the Union, and that nothing
but humiliation and disgrace will aw ali
you out of it. You are still our breth
rem, and therefore we do not wish to
shed your blood" l am not giving
you my own opinions, but simply stat
ing facts as they exist. The RESPONSE
bility, awful and unparalleled as it is,
must be laid at the door of James Blu
chanan. 1t is for the new Administers
ton to deal with realities as it finds
them. OCCASIONAL.