Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-21
Douglas Estimate of James Buchanan.

The appearance of George TicknOr Cur
it's Life" of Mr.. Buchanan, who was de-
rIded and abused so much at the outbreak
of the civil war as an imbecile, an "Old
public functionary," and traitor to his
country, will do much to correct the in
justice that was done man in that crisis
whose public services always reflected
honor upon his country. After the lapse
of twenty years and the passing away of
the passions 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 long and
important period in the history and pro-
gresS of the United States, that we men,
ton him now. We wish to recall an in
cident which shall give an answer from
stephen A. Douglas to the popular notion
that Mr.. Buchanan was Il weak man.
The time was, say 1858. The place was
in the home of Mr.. Douglas in the city of
Washington. The celebrated discussion
between Mr.. Douglas, in Hdrper'S Maya
ziue and Judge Black, in the Washington
URiOn on the LecOmptOn measures, was
at it's height. Mr.. Douglas had made his
anti-LecOmpton speech in the Senate after
John G. Breckenridge and Mr.. TOOmbs.
adherents of Mr.. Buchanan in the great
controversy. Alexander HI. Stephens, a
friend of Douglas. 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 Democratic
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.
Senator Logan he will not be sure about
this, after the lapse of twenty-five years J,
called on Mr.. Douglas. 1t was Sunday.
The editor Of the Herald, by the kindness
of Richardson, accompanied these gentle
men. Much of the day was sI.ent with
the Little Giant" who, rObed in his
dressing gown, which reached to his slip
pers, is remembered as a cOmical-lOOking
figure, all brains and body and no legs
that were discernible in that strictly pri-
vate uniform. The discussion was on the
ruling topic of the hour. Mr.. Douglas
was conversationally eloquent, but anX-
ious. The trio named were his trusted
body guard, so to say, on the floor of the
House of Representatives gallant soldiers
in the fight, not one of them really
dreaming of the early issue of the
controversy in the frightful war of the
rebellion which was direct result of it.
Much was said against the President dur
ing the long talk, when Gov. Richardson,
becoming particularly indignant, de-
nOunced Mr.. Buchanan as weak man,
an imbecile, as he was standing in the
centre of the parlOr and speaking with
characteristic Vehemence of manner when
the lion in him Was aroused. At this mo-
ment Mr.. Douglas was reclining on a sofa.
He sprang up, walked rapidly to where
Gov. Richardson was standing, and,
reaching up and placing his hand on Rich
ardson's shoulder 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 pause
from that moment on that line OF discus
sion 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.