Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-05


petus that was found irresistible in
November. OF the 296 electoral
votes, Mr.. Buchanan received l74,I
Col. Fremont ia, and Mr.. Fillmore 8.
The election and Inauguration OF
Mr.. Buchanan were followed by a
sensible abatement in the anti-slavery
feeling of the country, and had he
conducted the Government soundly,
it is not unlikely that war might have
been avoided. But his sympathies
and the entire influence of his admin
istration were with the Southern par
ty. Members OF his Cabinet were
engaged in a conspiracy for the over
throw of the Government, Cobb and
Floyd so acting as to promote the
purposes of the secessionists. In the
summer of 1860 it became manifest
that, in consequence of the breach in
the Democratic party, the Republl-
cans must elect Mr.. Lincoln to the
Presidency; and the secessioniSts
openly declared it to be their purpose
to rebel in the event of his election.
Whether they would keep their word
depended entirely upon the action OF
President Buchanan. He had the
destinies Of America in his hand
Had he initiated the bold and patrlo-
tic course OF President Jackson, Sc
cession would have been as signally
rebuked as notification. All tina, it
was required of him to do was. that
the forts which commanded Southern
harbors should be garrisoned, and
garriSonS be under orders to fire
upon Wh0msoever should seek to raise
up batteries to their possible detrl
ment. Had this been done, not 6
State would have rebelled. not ever
South Carolina. The President was
advised thus to proceed, but he woulC
not listen to sound advice, being IN
der the governance of few traitor
, In his administration, who were uSln!
, the power Of the country to brin.
] about its destruction. No State mad
! even the first movement toward rebel
lion unit! it had been placed beyont
, doubt that the federal government
I, would make no resistance to rebels
let them do what they would. Th
, President, in his last annual message
+ placed himself on the side Of rebe
lion, by virtually declaring that Their
existed no right Of selfpreservatio
a in the federal government, and that
y would be wrong to attempt the "coel
: cion' OF State that should Secedt
1 This was what South Carolina ha
:. been waiting for, and having been a.
sured that she should not be resisted
l. she proceeded to take the path to r.
II bellion, seeding three weeks atte
f the chief of the nation had publicl
d declared that i'll reality the natio
@ had no existence. Other States, Sc
ing how easily and harmlesSIy Sout
t. Carolina had got along followed he
d example, the President no more see
l. ing to prevent the Union 5 disSolutiC
\ than if he were the most unknoW
{ and obscure of citizens, and the UniC
a had expired by the terms of trear
e under which it had existed for seve
0 ~ two years.
D. President Buchanan left Washin
t ton Immediately upon the accessi(
+. of Mr.. Lincoln to the Presidency al
IA opOIIT VIC IUuGaLuDsOI "a IIIS 1IAO iai 4
!. tirement at Wheatland. a porto
i of this time wa devoted to the pI
/ paratiOn of a history OF his admin
! tration, in which he attempted to c
IS fend and justify his course. lmpt
" TALLY, history will assign him his pI
l. per place Oh It's pages. 1t will Z
be one which an honorable, unSeli'
ut patriotic statesman would desire.
h. Boston Jouynai