The same influences and expectations that wrought upon the people were working also upon him.

There were indeed two Mr.Buchanans in the closing months of the administration.

The first was Mr.Buchanan of November and December, angered by the decision of the Presidential election and more than willing that the North, including his own State, should be disciplined by fright to more conservative views and to a stricter observance of what he considered solemn obligations imposed by the Constitution.

If the Southern threat of resistance to the authority of the Union had gone no farther than this, Mr.Buchanan would have been readily reconciled to its temporary violence, and would probably have considered it a national blessing in disguise .-- The second was Mr.Buchanan of January and February, appalled by surrounding and increasing perils, grieved by the conduct of Southern men whom he had implicitly trusted, overwhelmed by the realization of the evils which had obviously followed his official declarations, hoping earnestly for the safety of the Union, and yet more disturbed and harrowed in his mind than the mass of loyal people who did not stand so near the danger as he, or so accurately measure its alarming growth.

The President of December with Cobb and Floyd and Thompson in his Cabinet, and the President of January with Dix and Stanton and Holt for his councilors, were radically different men.