Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)Curtis, George Ticknor
History
Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)
Curtis, George Ticknor
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, June 24, 1852.
MY DEAR SIR:—
If it were possible for me to complain of your conduct, I should give
you a good scolding for not performing your promise. We were all
anxiously expecting you at Wheatland from day to day; and if you had
informed me you could not come I certainly should have met you in
Philadelphia. I was very anxious to see you, and now God only knows
when we shall meet. Whilst life endures, however, gratitude for your
friendship and support shall remain deeply engraved on my heart.
I never felt any longing or anxious desire to be the President, and my
disappointment did not cost me a single pang. My friends were faithful
and true, and their efforts deserved if they could not command
success. Personally, I am entirely satisfied with the result. When
opportunity offers, I hope you will not fail to present my grateful
acknowledgments to Generals Laferty and Polk, and to Messrs. Smith,
Thomas and Shepherd, for their kind and valuable support in the hour
of trial.
It is vain to disguise the fact that Pennsylvania is, to say the
least, a doubtful State. I much fear the result. If defeated, no blame
shall attach to me. I will do my duty to the party and the country.
Both personally and politically General Pierce and Colonel King are
highly acceptable to myself. What an inconsistent race the Whigs are!
They have now ostensibly abandoned their old principles, and placed
themselves on the Democratic platform—Fugitive Slave Law and all. From
this we may expect river and harbor improvements intended to catch the
Southwest; and such a modification of a revenue tariff as they knew
would exactly correspond with the wishes of the Democratic ironmasters
of Pennsylvania. I, however, indulge the hope, nay, the belief, that
Pierce and King can be elected without the vote of Pennsylvania.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account