The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1862-11-14
Col. Forncy on James Hue hsnan's
Defense.



Ex-President Buchanan has given TO the
country an elaborate and carefully prepared
statement in reply 10 the card OF Gen. Scott
printed by VA on the 22d Of October The
card of the General il still fresh in the mem
DRY Of tho reader. and any recapitula'on of
its facts IL hardly necessary. General Scott
was driven into its publication by the at
tempt of New York Breckenridge politicians
TO use his great name as All authority in IA
vor of secession. He reviewed very closely
the conduct Of Mr. Buchanan during that
part of his Administration in which the Sc
cession troubles originated. and proved TO
the world that upon the Ex-President, and
upon him alone. the responsibility of our
present troubles shonld fall. Mr.. Buchanan,
indeed, accepts this responsibility In n tone
that seems to invite and defy criticism
The generosity with which Inc does this is
extraordinary. "All my Cabinet must bear
me witness that ! was the President myself.
responsible for oil the acts of the Admins
tration." These are his words, and, IA il TO
mako the admission more remarkable, he
makes an especial point in favor Of Gov.
Floyd. who. "a his Secretary of War, has
been TO US the representative of all that was
| false aud fraudulent In the origin OF this re-
! bellion. Gov. Floyd Is deeply injured
l man. Hereafter his sins must be visited on
| Mr.. Buchanan. for he was the President
| and he alone was responsible. The main
question at issue between Mr.. buchanan
and Gen. Scott il this: Did Mr. Buchanan.
| as President Of the United States, Comman
| der-in-chlef Of the army and navy the 40 le
| depositary of Executive power, Congress
/ not being in session. and there being no ap-
| peal to the Legislative power. refuse to re-
l inforce the Southern fortsi Had those forts
been reinforced. there can be no doubt that
| secession would have been rendered impos-
sible. The rebellion would have died from
| inanition. We should have held the princi.
pie cities. rivers and sea coasts of the South
and by thus establishing bases of comnuni-
cation in the enemy 3 country, been enabled
| 10 make immediate, effective aud overpow-
ering war. failure to do this great dut,
was either neglect or treason. Ii was mol
| neglect on the part OF Mr.. Buchanan-ws
| can not call il treason. but we do most de-
cidedly charge that il was sympathy viii
treason. Aud for this We ask no better evi
dence than his own letter in reply 10 Gen
Scott.
| On October 3Oth, 1860. Winfield Scott
the highest soldier of the Republic. wrot,
to Mr.. Buchanan, bidding him 10 beware o
the storm that was approaching, aud sug
costing TO him she military means necessar'
10 avert tho danger This fact Mr. Buchan
an admits. Or January 9th. tho stcame
Star of tho West attempted TO enter tn
harbor of Charleston. carrying the Ameri
| can flag, and bound on a duty foT the Gov
eminent She was fired upon by rebel can.
non. ard was compelled 20 return 10 New
| York. Here was the admontion and the ca
lamty. Sxty-three days had elapsed sine
the President he'd been told To prepare q
punish rebellion in the South, and vet rebel
lion had driven one of his own ships from
the coast OF the United States. In sixty
three days the little State Of South Carroll
m had time enough to prepare successful
armed resistance against tho Government
and that Government was powerless To re
sent the insult The world will ask why
was that great republic was thas he'll,
down by the throat, while a petty tribular'
Commonwealth was permitted 10 stab il I,
the heart. Mr.. Buchanan assures US that b.
had no desire bat 20 insure PEACE that b,
would not do any thing 10 invite or 70 pro
woke civil war. that. no matter what prepa
rations the rebels might make 20 destroy ID.
Government. he would say nothing. and 4,
nothing. he would allow every encroach
meat and make no resistance: he would per
init fort after fort 20 be seized. and see IN.
aag Of bis country give place TO pelicans an,
palmettoes. and lone stars. and long red bar
This Is the meaning OF Mr. Bachansn's DO
tense. - u reads n our paper tins morning
lie asks po-tsrity 20 call him a coward. %
an imbociie. or a weak old man, or the slav,
of the southern Senators. but he becs no
TO be called traitor He pleads guilty o
murder in tho second degree. hoping 10 es
CAPE % the full verdict against bis wicked
ness.
Nov. ne charge this upon Mr. Buchanan
Ito Vas the friend of the rebel leaders unti
within few weeks of the cxn;ration 81 ~,
term. Ho did everything in his nows, !,
assis, the traitors in the consummatio, =
their schemes. He MAS their ailv. Their 80,
forter-their suress and most to~erial -
complexion he held the Nor.h - NV Viii,
they plotted Us destruction. orly Welding q
tie sentiment az the country ~hen a refs,s.
10 yield wsnid havc cost him the Presidential
chair. We lay aside 81 other issues discuss
ed BY MF. Buchanan. and present the esi-
dsnce on tbs one grave charge as We hav.
Il over his own signature All his prosest.-
lions Of love Tor the Union and the countrx
and his desire 10 prevent bioodshesi and on
posc The rebellion. perish before hi. gre.,
fact We charge upon Ne. BUCHANAN ia
he vas DESTROYS Of aiding The southern le.d
ere 90 establish the southern Coafeder.rx
and BE asks FOR evidence. We cali up.sr
Gen. CAss bis Secretary % State
That statesman resigned - portfolio o.
TIE lSth Of December. lS60. Let Us nars
NE date. Ca the 18th OF December ~ax,
Ne. Buchanan. ~Gen- Scolf states thai. ac-
companies b. The Secretary Of War. he he'd
ocaverssiioa eth the rreadens While
lave 10 recollection whatever Of tbs con
versation. he doubles. states CORRECTLY. thai
| id re.us - sert three hundred ne, a.