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For Immediate Release
February 16, 2009
Contact: Mitchell Hanna
717-397-1309

Senator Smucker Interviews President James Buchanan

Lancaster – Not everyone is provided the opportunity to interview a United States President, let alone one from the 19th century, but that is precisely what Senator Smucker did on Presidents Day.  The Senator interviewed President James Buchanan, our 15th President and the only one from Pennsylvania.

The interview took place in the former president's office at Wheatland, Buchanan's home in Lancaster, in front of 25 school children from St. Anne School.  And while there is a remarkable likeliness, the person interviewed was actually Don Walters, a retired Temple University professor.  The two discussed President Buchanan's background and the issues of the day back in the mid-1800's.

Particular to the discussion were the issues of slavery, the Civil War and territorial expansion.  An interesting parallel between the time-period of Buchanan's administration and today discussed during the interview was the Panic of 1857.  At that time the banking system came under extreme duress that was triggered by a catastrophic event which in turned touched off what we now call a recession.

Mr. Walters provided everyone with a view of President Buchanan that is rarely, if ever, portrayed; that of a thoughtful diplomat and forward-thinking statesmen with deep convictions for preserving the union and abolition.  When others failed to act, he was caught in a time that defined an era and a president's legacy.

The Senator, President and students were happy for the "historic" opportunity and the living history lesson.  Wheatland is open to the public and more information available at www.wheatland.org.