The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-22
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FOOD EoR REFLECTION.
New York World. CDem.5

ADih NoF NDem.l
Every American who Is sentiment
ally inclined to resist reasonable prem
arations for national defense should
read anew the impartial judgment of
history In the case OF James Buchan.
an. He had such a dread OF strife that
ne dlsregarded his oath as President
10 preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution OF the United States"
his opposition TO the use Of force was
SO Keen that. with conspiracy. aggres-
sion and insurrection all about him,
be refused TO exert his authority lest
he should make matters worse.
SO far as the high resolves Of the
secessionists were effective. the Union
was dissolved during the last -four
months Of his administration. Ma.
tional property was seized. courts
were closed. Customs and taxes were
diverted. Even military posts, notably
those In Charleston harbor. were in
state OF siege. Entreated By men
OF all parties to enforce the laws. Blu.
ehanan did nothing until II was too
late pleading his unwillingness 90 CO
cree a State and his adherence Of
war. Not in my time," was his weak
response TO every appeal that was
made TO him in the name Of right
law. patriotism and duty.
The weakness OF this pacihsm ir
the White House strengthened anc
fastened disunion al the South and
spread CONSERVATION throughout the
North. Tai kof compromise filled the
land, and the very day that a rebel
lious government was being inaugu
rated In Montgomery. a peace conven
ton was In session In Washington
Truly no man In high station before
or since has done so much in so shor-
time by irresolution and in he name
OF peace TO bring on a long and devas
tating war.
Plenty OF testimony on the subjec'
u az hand. The President Is palt
with fear" said Lewis Cass. ~Hs
about equally divides between prayins
and crying" wrote Senator Grimes
Reports that he was insane were
freely circulated. zone single hour q.
Jackson" said Charles Francis Al
ans would have stopped the Are In
its cradle IT we had held Sumter
said Montgomery Blair. mot a drop o
blood would have been she'd" or RD
chanan. James Russell Lowell wrote
hat he is one who has contrived q
Involve his country In confusion o.
principle and vacillation OF Judgment
which have left him without a party
and without friend. and John a
Dix said Of him: lie is timid FOR
credulous and % is not difhcult for &C
ariful man 20 deceiev him"
The belief az the South was that fhs
North would not hEht. even for ifs
rights. by his inaction no less thau
By Bite words and his secret assur
ances 90 the leaders Of seditlon. Rn
chanan confirmed this opinion. ne
was a typical advocate Of peace nj
any price. The South. which dcspfsed
though % depended upon him. rushed
hoadlonE into n war that carried desc
lation and suffering from border DC
border. The North. misrepresentcd
hy him. but soon 90 be- under diferent
leadership. took up at last with forti
tude The terrible task which partly AZ
q result Of bic folly called for the sac.
rIhce Of hundreds Of thousands OF
lives and billions Of treasure
"Not in my time say ell The sen
umentalIsts OF today when the poasI
hll.ty of attack ls mentioned Ruchar
an bad hIs way and war did not conc
until Die term OF ONCE had expired
but he ushercd o. Dol. and the iudrrnrrf
of mankind UPON bis weakness wa
entered Ions aEo The best that anr
Cl bic Apologies can say % the orly
American ncace-atsny.price President
H that hr was man OF GOOD Mon
tons. INC Mr. Rryen. Even 20. he h.
a wsrning and not an example