Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-08-16

passion OF the passing hour'
In addition to what we have already
mentioned as bearing upon Mr. Buchan-
ans position and conduct early in lool'
it is to be considered that he was the
head of an expiring administration, and
of party beaten at the polls. He had
no longer patronage to bcstow nor fuIl IN
auence to exert. His position inspired
neither hope nor fear for the future in pol
iticiaus or their rctainers Every eye was
cast beyond the few remaining weeks OF
his term to consider the new order oil
things when Abraham of the West would
come to occupy the White House and give
law to all the bureaus Of government
The setting sun was about to give place to
the rising one whose beams would infusc
warmth into the cold regions of Republl'
can exile, and produce rank growth OF
Camerons and Fremonts in the depart
ments Of power. Congress, and especially
the Republican part of it, awaited the
NEW MAN as the one responsible for the
events of the immediate future, ard enti-
tied to give them direction. And is not
to be doubted, that the Republicans, or at
least .heir leaders, were opposed to any
adjustment of our national troubles under
Mr.. Buchanan, of which he or his party
should have the credit. One thing only
they were willing he should have credit for,
and that was the Inauguration of the war,
if war was to come. But war did not
come before his retirement, and in all
probability never would have come if he
had remained President of the United
States 1t was upon the accession OF the
Republicans to power and in consequence
of their reputation of the Crittenden Com
promise and all other propositions for
securing peace and continued union, that
the war came. Mr.. Buchanan may be
forgiven many things by his political foes,
but they will never forgive him for not
beginning the war and removing, in some
measure, the responsibility for it from them
to the Democracy and the conservative men
of the country.
Mr.. Wright's assertion that Mr.. Blu
chanan could have put down the rebellion
by one discharge of cannon IN Charleston
harbor, sounds so absurd that one is
amazed that it should ever have been
uttered. But it was the fashion until after
Bull Run to underrate the rebellion, to
speak of it as slight and feeble move
mcnt to be put down with scarce an effort
and even since tn event our cause has
seriously suffered from the same folly.
Such competent Generals as Mcclellan,
ilalleck aud Burnside judged more cor
rectly, and at last the administration and
people have come to their views At no
time could the rebellion have been put
down by q small force, or without scriou,
contest
Finally, Mr.. Wright asserts that black,
hearted treason reigned for the four years
Of Mr.. Buchanan's administration We
scarcely know how to characterize this
most baseess and bitter charge in lam
guage of civility and moderation. 1t as
sumes the vilest form of Republican abuse,
and deserves neither liberation nor res
pectful reply, 1t is true that charges Of
treason and disloyalty have been the cur
rent coin Of Republican politics amongst
US for fifteen weary months; that but few
Democrats have escaped insult, while some
have been subjected to open Outrage for
allodged disloyalty. But the retired Pres
idcnt, one would think, might have been
spared, and permitted to pass the evening
of his days undisturbod in that honorable
retirement which comes fttingly at the
end of an active and well-spent life But
neither his gray hairs, nor long and faith.
ful service, nor an unspotted private char,
acter, nor abilities the most distinguished
nor patriotism the most pure, appear suf--
tcient to shield him from the shafts of
malice and hatred. 1t is said there were
spies and traitors in his Cabinet. Now
what is the plain and well known truth on
this point. When secession arose the
minority of the Cabinet, being from the
South, inclined to their own section and
favored the evacuation Of Sumter. The
President refused, compelled them to re
sign, and called to their places Joseph
Holt Of Kentucky, John A, Dix of New
York, and Edwin NJ, Stanton Of Pennsyl,
vania, all of whom have since held high
places of trust under President Lincoln.
Upon this point as upon all others, there
is not particle of evidence any where in
existence that he ever did or authorized one
act or thing unbecoming Patriot and
incumbent of the hiplest Office known tc