The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-03
Douglas Estimate of James Buchanan.
[Omaha Herald.

The appearance of George Ticknor Curtis 5
Life" of Mr.. Buchanan, who was de ided
and abused so much at the outbreak of the
Civil War as an imbecile. and ''old public
functionary," and a traitor to his country.
will do much to correct the injustice that
was done a man in that crisis whose
public services always reflected honor uDon
his country. After the lapse of twenty
years and the passing away of the pas
sions arising in the Civil War. justice can
and Will be done TO pure, able, and patriotic
man. TO whom the country owes a debt of
gratitude rather than the return of wrong
and injustice. But it is not to recount Mr..
Buchanan's public career, which covered a
long and important period in the history
and progress of the United States that we
mention him now. We wish to recall an in
cldent which shall give an anwer from Ste
phen A. Douglas to the popular notion that
Mr.. Buchanan was a weak man.
The time was say 1858. The place was in
the home OF Mr.. Douglas in the city of Wash
lngton. The celebrated discussion between
Mr.. Douglas, in Harper's Magazine and
Judge Black, in the Washington Union, on
the Lecompton measures was at its height
Mr.. Douglas had made his anti-Lecompton
speech in the Senate after John c.. Brackin-
bridge and Mr.. Toombs, adherents of Mr..
Buchanan in the great controversy. Alexan-
der ii. Stephens friend of Douglass, and
one other whose name we fail to recall at the
moment OF writing had met with their legs
under the Douglas mahogany, and had failed
TO heal the breach which divided the Demo-
cratic party and which led to the election of
Mr.. Lincoln and the bloody war which fol-
lowed.
William A. Richardson, John G. Davis. OF
Indiana and, as the writer remembers Sem
ator Logan Che will not be sure about this af-
ter a lapse of twenty-five yearf), called upon
Mr. Dnnulacc II Tha Ill
or the Herald, by The kindness OF Richard
son. accompanied these gentlemen. Much of
the day was spent with the "Little Giant"
who, robbed TN his dressing gown. which
reached TO his slippers, is remembered as a
comical-looking figure all brains and body
and no legs that were discernible in that
s. richly private uniform This discussion was
on the ruling topic of the hour
Mr.. Douglass was cOnyerSatiOnally eloquent,
but anxious. The trio named was his trusted
body guard, so to say, the floor of the
HOnSe OF Representatives, gallant soldiers in
the fight. not one of them really dreaming
OF the early issue OF the controversy in the
gigantic War OF the Rebellion which was a
direct result Of ii. Much was said against
the President during the long talk when
Governor Richardson, becoming particularly
indignant denounced Mr.. Buchanan as a
weak man, an imbecle, as he was stand
ing in the center OF the parlor and
speaking with characteristic vehe
mence of manner when the
lion in him was aroused. At this moment
Mr.. Douglas was reclining on sofa. He
sprang up, walked rapidly to where Governor
Richardson was standing, and reaching up
and placing his hand on Richardson's shoul.
der in his familiar way, he said: Hold on
Dick. Mr.. Buchanan is not a weak man. He
is one OF the ablest men IN this country"
There was a pause from that moment on that
line of discussion of the then President of
the United States. And it was then that we
got the estimate which Mr.. Douglas placed
upon the abilities of James Buchanan.