Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-11-14
MIR. Buchanan and MIR. Seward.
A friend writes US from Washington, under
date of

A friend writes US from Washington, under
date of
TUESDAY, Nov. 4.
The controversy raised by the pub
LEGATION Of Gen. Scots letter in the Washing
ton lntel5igencer, the other day, is likely to
lead to some interesting revelations by the
exaspeIated "old public functionary," who, it
is known, has been for some time preparing a
defense of his cowardly conduct, and means
TO whitewash himself if possible.
8" He cannot persuade any one that he acted
periodically or with decent ability, or that he
was not the plant tool Of the traitors and
conspirators with whom he surrounded him
self. But it seems that he means to prove
that other prominent men were no less cow
ardly nor more capable than he.
Mr.. Buchanan, it is said by persons who
are likely to be well informed, asserts posi-
lively, for instance, that he consulted Mr.
Seward continually during the last four
months of his administration, and that he
did not undertake anything in regard to the
rebellious movement during those four months
from the time of Mr.. Lincoln's election till
his installation, that is to say without pre-
vious full consultation with Mr. Seward, and
only with the full approval of that gentle
man.
"And that this is not mere gossip would
seem certain from the fact that one of the
most respectable citizens of Washington, one
who had good opportunities for knowing the
fact, assures his friends that he knosos, and
from both the parties-Mr. Buchanan and Mr.
Seward-that it is true.
''If Mr. Buchanan will make this fact pub.
lie, large part of the odum resting hitherto
on him will be carried to Mr.. Seward, and
Justly, too for it was an honorable act in the
outgoing President thus to advise with him
who was to hold then the leader of the party
coming into power; and, in acting only with
Mr.. Stewards cansent, Mr.. Buchanan did next
to the best thing he could under the circum-
stances-the best thing the weak and pulling
old man was capable of. But in that case
what shall we think of Mr.. Seward ?"
The above, from the New York Erening
Post, contains startling intelligence, if it be
true. We fear it is true At all events,
lone of the most respectable citizens of
Washington" referred to as authority for the
statement is, as we learn per private advices
from there, the principal editor of the Nation
al Intslligsncer, than whom no man in Wash
ington is better posted in all things relating
to Seward He is, we believe, a pious gentle
man, but he may have lied in this instance
We hope he did otherwise. To retain Sew
ard longer in the Cabinet will be but a mon
strous outrage on the American people. The
country will insist upon having this matter
cleared up satisfactorily, or npon change in
the premiership.
- Lieut.-Col. Compton arrived at home
yesterday morning, from visit to the hospi-
tails at Keokuk.
From him we learn that there are now
2,l0S sick and wounded soldiers in the vari-
Gus hospitals Of that city. Of these, about
fourth belong to Iowa. the remainder be-
ing pretty evenly divided between the States
of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and
Michigan. Col. Compton speaks in terms Of
the highest praise of the efficient management
Of the hospitals under the excellent supervi-
sion of DR.. Taylor, Surgeon General The
hospitals of Keokuk comprise a number of
large buildings, the principal one being a
building known rs the Estes House, erected
for hotel. but never used as such. 1t is an
excellent building for the purpose, accom-
modating large number of patients in the
most comfortable manner, and in which those
great essentials to the well-being of the sick
and wounded, air and light are to be had
The soldiers now there, who have been so
unfortunate as to be obliged to go into hospi-
tai, consider themselves peculiarly fortunate
in having gained admission to those of Keo-
kuk. They all concur in saying that every :
thing requisite for their comfort is provided
in abundance. Dr. Taylor is the right man
in the right place. The hospitals are credit
to our noble young State.
We are under obligations to Col. Compton
for late papers, Daily, 18Th.
81 In Wisconsin the Republicans have
elected three and the Democrats two members
of Congress. One district is in doubt The
Republicans have carried both branches of