From geographical position therefore, from material interest, from inherited pride, from every association and sympathy, from every aspiration, and from every hope, Pennsylvania was for the Union, inviolable and indissoluble.

No threat of its destruction ever came from her councils, and no stress of circumstances could ever seduce her into a calculation of its value, or drive her to the contemplation of its end.
With all his attachment to the Union, Mr.Buchanan had been brought under influences which were hostile to it.

In originally constituting his Cabinet, sinister agencies had controlled him, and far-seeing men anticipated trouble when the names were announced.

From the South he had selected Howell Cobb of Georgia for the Treasury, John B.Floyd of Virginia for Secretary of War, Jacob Thompson of Missouri for the Interior, and Aaron V.Brown of Tennessee for Postmaster- General.

From the North he had selected Lewis Cass of Michigan for the State Department, Isaac Toucey of Connecticut for the Navy, and Jeremiah S.Black of Pennsylvania for Attorney-General.