The New York Times
May 19, 1861
Wheatland, May 6, 1861.
To the Editors of the National Intelligencer:
Gentlemen: In the confusion of the times I have not received your tri-weekly numbers 9,157 and 9,158, of April 27 and April 30, I believe. As yours is the only paper of which I preserve a file, I should feel greatly obliged if you would send me these numbers.
Several items in the Intelligencer have awakened my attention to the facility with which military gentlemen relieve themselves from their oaths and change their allegiance. A military oath has ever been held sacred in all ages and in all countries. Besides the solemn sanctions of religion, there is superadded the highest appeal to personal honor. Each military officer swears that he will bear true allegiance to the United States, and serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies and oppressors whatsoever. They do not swear to support the Constitution of any State. Educated by the United States, they belong to the Federal Government in a peculiar sense. Whilst I can imagine why an officer might resign rather than shed the blood of citizens of his native State in war, yet it is difficult to excuse or palliate the next step, which is to go over to the enemy and make war upon the time-honored flag of the country.
Maj. Beauregard, when he discharged the first gun against Fort Sumter, lighted a flame which it will require a long time to extinguish. The people of the North at present are enthusiastically unanimous. They never were aroused until that shot was fired. I often warned Southern gentlemen that this would be the inevitable result.
I enjoy good health and as tranquil a spirit as the evils impending over my country will permit.
Your friend, very respectfully,
James Buchanon.