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Story
November 2, 1860
Montgomery County Sentinel
Rockville, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland
What is this article about?
An 1860 editorial in the New York Courier des Etats Unis warns of national crisis if Lincoln is elected, recalling James Buchanan's 1856 prediction that repeated false alarms of Union danger would lead to real peril being ignored, potentially causing financial ruin and possible dissolution.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Mr. Buchanan's Warning In 1856-Pause Before Too Late.
A dispassionate editorial in the New York Courier des Etats Unis of Saturday sets forth, in a clear light, the present dangerous situation of our country, in view of the possible election of Lincoln. 'So often, heretofore, has the cry of "the Union in danger" been raised, that the editor admits it is almost impossible now to get people to believe, or even to listen, notwithstanding the unmistakable signs of an impending storm.
In illustration of this unfortunate state of things, he says that in 1856 he heard Mr. Buchanan make use of a familiar apothegm, which then struck him with great force, and which he has never forgotten. It was just before the election, when he asked the democratic candidate what he really thought would be the consequence of the advent of a republican President to the White House. Mr. Buchanan replied: "Nothing is more difficult to determine. The cry of wolf has been heard so often, that the wolf will be among us some fine day before we are willing to believe it."
Says the editor in the article from which we quote: "We are, perhaps, on the very eve of witnessing the realization of this apothegm." In 1848 a single pistol shot on the Paris boulevard set the French revolution in motion; and with a people as excitable as are the Americans, many a trivial event may play the part of the pistol shot. As the least possible evil, the editor considers that the election of Lincoln is certain to bring on a financial crisis ruinous to the prosperity of the country for long months to come; and while seriously apprehending a disruption of the Union, he closes by saying: "Let us at least open our eyes to the fact while there is yet time; let the commercial and industrial masses behold to what dupe's market they are being drawn. In the election the whole nation has everything to lose; the politicians alone have anything to gain. 'Not to see the storm which rises in the horizon, is wantonly to expose one's self to be surprised by the thunderbolt."
-Constitution.
A dispassionate editorial in the New York Courier des Etats Unis of Saturday sets forth, in a clear light, the present dangerous situation of our country, in view of the possible election of Lincoln. 'So often, heretofore, has the cry of "the Union in danger" been raised, that the editor admits it is almost impossible now to get people to believe, or even to listen, notwithstanding the unmistakable signs of an impending storm.
In illustration of this unfortunate state of things, he says that in 1856 he heard Mr. Buchanan make use of a familiar apothegm, which then struck him with great force, and which he has never forgotten. It was just before the election, when he asked the democratic candidate what he really thought would be the consequence of the advent of a republican President to the White House. Mr. Buchanan replied: "Nothing is more difficult to determine. The cry of wolf has been heard so often, that the wolf will be among us some fine day before we are willing to believe it."
Says the editor in the article from which we quote: "We are, perhaps, on the very eve of witnessing the realization of this apothegm." In 1848 a single pistol shot on the Paris boulevard set the French revolution in motion; and with a people as excitable as are the Americans, many a trivial event may play the part of the pistol shot. As the least possible evil, the editor considers that the election of Lincoln is certain to bring on a financial crisis ruinous to the prosperity of the country for long months to come; and while seriously apprehending a disruption of the Union, he closes by saying: "Let us at least open our eyes to the fact while there is yet time; let the commercial and industrial masses behold to what dupe's market they are being drawn. In the election the whole nation has everything to lose; the politicians alone have anything to gain. 'Not to see the storm which rises in the horizon, is wantonly to expose one's self to be surprised by the thunderbolt."
-Constitution.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Buchanan Warning
Lincoln Election
Union Danger
Financial Crisis
Political Crisis
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Buchanan
Lincoln
Where did it happen?
United States
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Buchanan
Lincoln
Location
United States
Event Date
1856
Story Details
Editorial recalls Buchanan's 1856 warning that ignored cries of Union danger would lead to real crisis upon a Republican president's election, predicting financial ruin and possible Union disruption if Lincoln wins in 1860.