James Buchanan actually said...

"no nation in the tide of time has ever presented a spectacle of greater material prosperity than we have done until within a very recent period."

"I have long foreseen and often forewarned my countrymen of the now impending danger."

"The day of evil may never come unless we shall rashly bring it upon ourselves."

"In the meantime, who can foretell what would be the sufferings and privations of the people during its existence?"