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BUCHANAN, James, President. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan") to a Committee of Philadelphians including "Asa Packer, Owen Jones, John Cadwalader, Samuel Smith, G. Fox, Andrew Craig, Hiester Clymer and many others," Wheatland, 23 March 1867. 4 pages, 4to, small fold separations, otherwise fine.
"NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE YEARS OF BLOOD AND SORROW...REST ON ME WHO TRIED...TO DO MY DUTY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION"
A striking letter, unusual for its length and for what it reveals about the 76-year-old former President's sensitivity to criticism of his role as Chief Executive in the critical years leading up to the Civil War. Buchanan concludes with a heartfelt admonition to uphold the Constitution, which he deemed he had done successfully, in his administration. Declining an invitation to a public political dinner in Philadelphia, Buchanan choses to follow "...the wise example of my Democratic predecessors...[who] whilst holding their own opinions on the political questions of the day... left the public discussion of them to gentlemen like yourselves." Citing old age as an additional reason he cannot attend, he is pleased by their observation "that I am now the last survivor of the 'American statesmen of the olden time - the only living contemporary of Webster and Clay and Benton and Calhoun.'" He adds ex-New York Governor Silas Wright to that list of statesman, before expressing "cordial thanks for your opinion 'that no responsibility for the years of blood and sorrow...rest on me who tried...to do my duty under the Constitution.' Proceeding as this does from a large number of my fellow citizens...may I not...indulge the hope that you but anticipate the general sentiment of future times? Under this impression...I have borne...all the harsh criticisms which have been published on my official conduct throughout the last unhappy years." He concludes with words of counsel: "Adhere steadily to the Constitution of your Country. Exert all your power and influence in disseminating & enforcing its general principles, by means of the Press, public speeches, private conversations and in every other honorable manner: and employ the same untiring energy in exposing and condemning every departure from its precepts. Never despair; for the time will surely come when these shall triumph and control the administration of the Government."
[With:] Letter to Buchanan from the Pennsylvania citizens, 27 February 1867. 1 pages, folio.
"NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE YEARS OF BLOOD AND SORROW...REST ON ME WHO TRIED...TO DO MY DUTY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION"
A striking letter, unusual for its length and for what it reveals about the 76-year-old former President's sensitivity to criticism of his role as Chief Executive in the critical years leading up to the Civil War. Buchanan concludes with a heartfelt admonition to uphold the Constitution, which he deemed he had done successfully, in his administration. Declining an invitation to a public political dinner in Philadelphia, Buchanan choses to follow "...the wise example of my Democratic predecessors...[who] whilst holding their own opinions on the political questions of the day... left the public discussion of them to gentlemen like yourselves." Citing old age as an additional reason he cannot attend, he is pleased by their observation "that I am now the last survivor of the 'American statesmen of the olden time - the only living contemporary of Webster and Clay and Benton and Calhoun.'" He adds ex-New York Governor Silas Wright to that list of statesman, before expressing "cordial thanks for your opinion 'that no responsibility for the years of blood and sorrow...rest on me who tried...to do my duty under the Constitution.' Proceeding as this does from a large number of my fellow citizens...may I not...indulge the hope that you but anticipate the general sentiment of future times? Under this impression...I have borne...all the harsh criticisms which have been published on my official conduct throughout the last unhappy years." He concludes with words of counsel: "Adhere steadily to the Constitution of your Country. Exert all your power and influence in disseminating & enforcing its general principles, by means of the Press, public speeches, private conversations and in every other honorable manner: and employ the same untiring energy in exposing and condemning every departure from its precepts. Never despair; for the time will surely come when these shall triumph and control the administration of the Government."
[With:] Letter to Buchanan from the Pennsylvania citizens, 27 February 1867. 1 pages, folio.