The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-10-05

reelected. The principle is now be-
come as sacred as if written in the
Constitution Yet he believed it best
that the matter should be left to the
people,, and his forecast was correct
when he believed that the passage of
time would make third term impossi-
BILE.
1t has almost passed from recollection
that Buchanan succeeded Randolph as
Minister to Russia, and that he con
tended with Nesserode, and had an
interview with Nicholas as creditable
to the minister as to the monarch.
His account of this interview is delight
full in its frankness. The Old World
life, not only at st. Petersburg, but in
other capitals, is charmiugly described,
in private letters as well as public doc
uments.
But, interesting as is the record of
his senatorial and diplomatic career,
the reader will scarce scan it first, but
turn to the years in which Mr. Buchan-
an was President. Yet there are many
charming pages, relating to social life
IN England, which will divide the read
er's attention with the great bays be-
fore the war Aad IL Is proved be-
yond all contradiction that to PreSi-
dent Buchanan, and not TO Gen.
Scott, aoaS dte the order ,chich precem-
ted the ornaing Of several Southern
forts by ordnance from PittSbuvg.
A new face is put on the conduct of
Secretary Floyd by evidence which
makes it doubtful whether the distribu
ton and sale of arms, 50 much COM
planned Of, was intended by Floyd for
the benefit of the Southern states. 1t
is sho wn, apparently beyond contradic-
tion, that F2oyd ,oaS q strong Union-
ist until Buchanan forced him from
his ..Cabjnet Tor the misconduct about
tie Indian Bonds, and that Floyd to
save himself, by a hastily constructed
political bridge, got up a new issue,
over which he departed with eclat to
the Southern side. II Is also Sho,on
that Gen. Scots memory acaS far less
to be depended upon than his patriot.
ism. His memory aoaS senle, his
patriotjsm oirile. lie can be regard
ed after tie revelations ofthis book,
as man Of truth only by tie chari-
ty due adca"ced gears and tailjng
pOcerS.
Our conviction, after pondering the
evidence here displayed, and against
long-maintained prejudgmets, is that
Mr.. Curtis has succeeded in reIjecing
the memory Of President Buchanan
Of almost all Of the charges against
linn. The interests of truth compel
this statement. We say "almost
all There still remains that radical
vice in statesman for troublous times
over caution and indecision. But Of
sympathy with practical secession, of
desire to get rid of cares which ought
to be borne by passing them over to
his successor. we can find no trace.
What he could do according TO his
best conception of duty to prevent war
and save the Union, he did up to the
last moment of his official career. His
Judgment may still be criticised his
intentions cannot BE- When it is re-
membered that Mr.. Seuard phoUy
| mistOOk tie duration and seriousness
Of the acar, eUen after it had begun,
are mag ceU be charitable to one aoho
endedcOred to prevent achat he fore,
sa,o and said aoouId be one of the
most terrific co9tictS of the aoorld
In private life Mr.. Buchanan is a
delightful figure Courteous with the
old courtesy, he knew how to be play
full and yet retain dignity. His old
age is patient and cheerful. He de.
clares his faith IN the Gospel of Christ,
and dies with clouded fame, indeed,
but in peace and hope,
1t is unnecessary to say that Mr..
Curtis has done his work we'll lie
has done it supremely well. With a
judicial mind he has sifted documents,
compared dates, and authenticated
facts, until one rejoices that task so
difficult has fallen into the hands of a
master. Never personally known to
Mr.. Buchanan, he seems to have no
object in view but the truth of history,
and if this verdict on the ex-President' i
career goes contrary to the preiudices
Of thousands, it will compel acceptance
widely, because of the evidence, clear
and irresistible, by which he rehabili,
tates the subject in the respect of his
countrymen. His work, in a literary
sense, is Of the highest order, and will
be an authority henceforth for all who
can yield prejudice to the truth, and
rancor to charity