American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-04-13


the Union. Does any doubt this: If
SO, let him read the debates in Congress
of the last ten years, but especially du-
ring the sessions of IS59-6U and 1850
61--debates to which l was compelled to
listen, and which abouudel in the most
malignant expressions OF hatred, scorn
contempt, and disloyalty, PLAINLY yforeshad-
owing the base revolutionary schemes then
fairly entered upon, aud hurting detiantly
at Noshern Representatives the vile and
untenable doctrine of the right of seces-
sion. One class Of northern members,
regret to say encouraged these declala-
.ions, sympathized with their authors, and
abetted their designs, believing that they
cav in them the material of successful po-
litical influence. Butfor this, there would
have been no secession. Another class
boldly denounced the talseh0ods resented
the insults, aud hurled back the threats
OF secession, declaring that Under no cir
cumstances would they consent to a sepa-
ration of these States or permit the mere
result of an election to be made the pre-
text for revoIution. Sir, firmly believe
that had all the northern members joined
in these clear declarations Of fidelity 70 the
Constitution and the Union, and announ-
ced their determination to maintain the
existing Government at all hazards, the
secession movements would meyer have
risen to formidable proportions Or given
cause for serious alarm. But everywhere
over the South secession was proclaimed to
be peaceful remedy for alleged grievan-
ces, and it was publicly and constantly
proclaimed that any attempt to coerce the
South, would be followed by division in
the North, that blood would flow in north
ern streets and a civil war among ourselves
would render secession safe, certain. and
complete. 1t is too true that many north
ern Representative in that crit cal period,
misrepresented their constituencies, fear
fully deceived the rebel leaders, and thus
covered themselves with guilt scarcely
less deep and infamous than belongs to
JEFF. Davis himself anu hi traitorou5 cab
met. While this was the position Of mem
ber9 on this floor, what was the attitude
of Mr.. Buchanan and his Administration
jIt COMtitu ptlDit TIC 6ibiul' 14gEl
shared his confidence until he had trans
terred large portlono OF the arms to south
ern arsenals, without interference, until ar
rested iii hia reasonable attempt to remove
the cannon from Allegheny Arsenal to
pretended forts in Louisiana, bv the de-
termined patriotism and courage Of my
constituents at Pittsburgh. and then re
signed because Mr. Buchanan refused t.
order Major Anderson back from Fort
Sumter to MouNrie and thereby maintain
the promise previously given to South
Carolina by Floyd with Air. Buchanaua
consent, "that the status OF affairs should
not be disturbed in the hayb0r Of Chule3-
ton" Cobb remlinedin the cabiuetuutil
by his financial mana cement tile credit OF
thcuoyernmentwassJ assJio&thatmoueycou could
scarcely be borrowed at any rate even to
pay the necessary expenses OF the Govern
ment, and IN that tune OF peace, Temporal
ry loans could no; be made except at most
exorbiant rates Of M crest. Thompson,
whilst holding Il seat in the cabinet, jour
neyed to North Carolina e. aid in switch.
ing the old Nur,h State out Of the Union.
and continued to possess himself Uf cubl-
net secrets to be Transmitted south tor the
benefit of rebels, untI his sensitive honor
could not endure pheaIcjgei touccalment
from him OF Mir. Buchmndu,s turdy effort
to provision Fort Sumter Meanwhile The
President, trembling with fear and over
come by the threats OF re-c.s, was dra.
gooncd first into modification OF his last
annual message 50 as openly to abandon
the doctriue OF coercion. which greatly
corrupted northern opinion and cJntrlbu-
ted vastly to southern acceptance OF the
Tebei programme; and then iJr weeks as
if struck with. paralysis, when it was pro-
posed to do anything in assertion Vt the
rlghtful and inherent power OF the Gov
ernment to preserve itselt.-,his weak and
timid old man performed a role which has
covered his name with iniany, and viii
forever load it with the nations contempt
Such is my estimate of the reputation OF
james Buchanan, (once | regret to say,
known as Pennsylvania S favorite son, }
as finally left for the ejudgmentof pestcrity.
General Cass, in his expressions refer
red to before, erred in one point. Hemis-
calculated the extent of the evil done by
Mr.. Buchanan, and over estimated the in
tluenee of his imbecility and trcachery
upon the loyal masses. Yet at the time,
so dark and portentous were the clouds, so
general was public suspicious so wide
spread and powerful the conspiracy, that
it seemed to be hoping against hope 10
have any cheerful antiepatious when look
ing into the dark and gloomy future and
1t is not surprising that his patriotic herat
was overwhelmed with grief On every
hand the enemy was busy, the Govern
ment silent and Indifferent, bound hand
and foot by its Attorney General, who mar
rowly pairing down the power Of the Gov
ernment toProtect itse!t, advised the Pres
ident: "That the Union must utterly per-
ish at the moment when Congress shall
arm one part Of the people against anoth-
er for any purpose beyond that Of merely
protecting the General Government in the
exercise Of its proper constitutional func-
tions." Such was the chosen and delib-
crate phTaseology within which lurked the
fallacious and destructive error that our
fathers had constructed a Government
without nower to nreserve itself or euforce