an
and unjust, but the general opinion now is that his fault was
feebleness of will, not intentional wrong. Mr. Buchanan was
surrounded by men who had already made up their minds to destroy
the Union, one of whom had already committed acts of treachery in
the distribution of arms and military supplies, and all of whom
avowed the legality and rightfulness of secession. I think what
I said was justified by the conditions existing when the speech
was made. The residue of my speech was certainly moderate enough
to satisfy the most conservative mind. I give the closing
paragraphs:

"These are, so far as I know, the leading ideas of the Republican
party. I appeal to your candor if they do not commend themselves
to the judgment of reasonable men. Is this the party which you
would combine and conspire against, and to defeat which you would
unite hostile elements? Is it to defeat these ideas that you would
risk scenes of violence in the House, or the subversion of the
constitution by the Senate of the United States? Is it to defeat
this noble policy that you would longer trust a broken-down, corrupt
and demoralized administration? Is it for this that you would
continue in power a party that, by a long enjoyment of the patronage
of the government, has become reckless and corrupt?

"If you will take the responsibility of preventing the triumph of
the Republican party, you may do so, but it will require a close
fusion of all the elements to defeat it. It is young and vigorous.
It has all the unity and discipline of the old Democratic party.
It holds most of the opinions, modified by experience, of the old
Whig party. It has the conservative moderation of the People's
party, which has influenced its nominations. It adheres to every
principle proclaimed by the old Republican party of Jefferson. We
have confidence in the integrity and patriotism, and wisdom of our
standard bearers--Lincoln and Hamlin. If Mr. Lincoln cannot be
recommended as a parlor President, like General Pierce, and is not
familiar with the etiquette of foreign courts, as is Mr. Buchanan,
we know that he is honest, faithful, courageous and capable. No
man can read his celebrated debates with Mr. Douglas, without
forming a high opinion of his capacity. He is better for having
lived but a short time in Washington, for that city of politicians
is not particularly celebrated for sound principles or right morals.
Born in Kentucky, descended from a Pen