Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-10
JAMES BUcHAN AN, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

JAMES BUCHAN AN, OF PENNSYLVANIA
The following interesting sketch of Mr.. Buchan
ans public life, is part of the address adopted BY
his own felow-ctzens at great meeting in Lancas te
county, on the 18th of last January;
" James Buchanan came to Lancaster in his boy
hood, studied the profession of the law, and was ad
United with great distinction, by the courts of this
county, as practitioner at the bar. His great ability
skill and energy, soon manifested themselves and iI
short period he cassed the head of his pro-
tession, by the soundest lawyers in the country. AT
ter practising successfully for several years, he
early in life elected the State Legislature, where
he distinguished himself prominent and leading
member-never. however, relinquishing the practice
of his profession, which furnished the only means
he had to rely upon. He afterwards elected a
member of the House of Representatives in Con-
gress, where his high character and ability
man, fully developed themselves. At the session OF
1824-'25 he stood side by side with Gen. Jackson,
and the friend of that great and glorious hero and
patriot, he became prominent actor in the stirring
of that session. which resulted in the election
of MI. Adams, the chosen candidate of the peo-
! pie. From that eventfu period did Mr.. Buchanan
cling to the veteran hero, supporting him nth all his
ability upon every occasion and man in this vast
Republic now holds the memory of the dead Patriot
of the Hermitage more strongly cfasped in his hearts
affections, than James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania.
| In 1928 Mr.. Buchanan was again elected to Con-
gress from this district, the candidate of the Dem
ocratic Party, leading the whole ticket, which was
also elected, bya majority of twelve hundred votes
was that he had contributed more to the dem
ocratic party, in this country from the thradom of
federalism, than any other living man-and it contn-
ued in the sscendarcy until the spirit of Anr-Ma-
sonry again broke it down in 1929. On the 4th day
of January, 1882, Mr.. Buchanan appointed by
President Jackson Minister to Russia, where he re-
manned until August, 1888. During that short period
he negotiated an important commercial treaty with
the Emperor, which had bafled diplomatic skill for
twenty years. and which received the ratification of
his government, and has been held sacred by both
parties ever since.
Immediately upon his return from Europe to this
country and indeed in anticipation of that event. Mr..
Buchanan recommended by public meetings and
patriotic celebrations, throughout the State, the
candidate of the democracy, TO represent Pennsylva
mia in the Senate of the United States. At the en-
suing session of our Legislature he elected tofll
that high and dignifed place, and presented his
dentals in the United States Senate the 9Th of
December, 1884, where he was continued by The
unanimous vote of the Democtatie members of our
Legislature, at two consecutive elections. until the
4th of March, 1873, when he was selected by Pres
!dent Polk to fill the first place in his Cabinet,
Secretary Of State. The printed records of the
try will attest the ability and fidelity with which he
discharged his duty to his country and his party, in
these high places. AS Senator he occupied po-
sition the proudly recognized equal of the noblest
Romans on the democratic side. His natural dignity
of department, and kind and conciliatory manners
we'll known reputation, unsulied by blot blem-
ish, gave him, the other side, strength and nfu-
ence in the Senate possessed by few in that illus
trious body. The democracy of the country then
recog nized him of their most gallant and able
champions and his successful contests in intellectual
power with the greatest of living orators, Henry Clay
and the Goliah of the East, the great Webster, in
the discussion upon the " VetO PO,Oer, the " Mcleod
Case" and the other important questions of the day,
conclusively proved that he was worthy of the ex-
allied opinions then entertained of his talents and de-
voton to democratic principles Of his conduct
Secretary of State, under the administration Of Pres
ident Polk it is scarcely necessary to speak, if even
time and space allotted to for that purpose
1t is fresh in the recollecons of his cOunymen. No
administration had difficulties encounter has
gone of power with more deserved popularity than
that of Mr.. Polk; and Mr.. Buchanan continued to
the close Of his Presidential term, to enjoy his friend
ship and undiminshed confidence, when they both
retir ed 10 private life.
But. the administrations of Gen. Jackson and Mr..
Polk were not alone in the high opinion, entertained
by the Executive branch of the government of the
eminent abilities and democrats principles of James
Buchanan. His merits were appreciated, and honors
offered to be conferred upon him, by appointment
high places, anterior to the existence of these admin
istratons President Monroe, early 1923, Offer
ed, and pressed upon his acceptance, important
foreign mission-and President Van Buren,, at the
Organization of his Cabinet, rendered him the appoint
nent of Attorney General of the United States.
Having now, in a. homely manner, hastily sketched
few incidents in the public history of our dslin-
guished candidate, we will briefly bring into review
evidence of the high estimation in which he
was held during that period, at home in his own
county and State, on account OF his public services.
We will show that until time after he became
a member of President Folks Cabinet, he was aud-
ed to the skies, upon every public OCCASION only
the darling, and " favorlte son Of Pennsylvania,
but the purest patriot, most profound statesman,
and abest advocate of democratic principles and
measures living and at the head of this audation,
too. the very men who now denounce and use every
means destroy him, stood pre-eminent. We will
then again await the answer to the question, which
has yet been answered. in any terms that would
not disgrace ordinary school boy, - What has he
done since he became Secretary of State, the 4th
day of March, l845, to lower him in the esteem of
the democracy of this State of the country 90
In addition it is important and striking fact in
his public history, that distinguished feow-c-
never has been beaten when a candidate before
the speople, but always ahead of his ticket, thus
showing his unbounded popularity.
The public journals of the day will show that from
the time Mr.. Buchanan commenced his Senatorial
at the session of 1S34-'35 he distinguish
ed, at every public meeting and celebration, as the
champion of Pennsy lvanias democracy; in the SEN
of the United States. In the year 1910 his name
first prominently brought out for the Presidency
At the Lancaster county Democratic Convention in
September, 1910, the following resolutions, among
others reported by the committee, composed of Reah
Frazer, S. G. Stambough and others, were unani-
mousIy adopted:
Resolved, That the Hon. James Buchanan, u S.
Senator, has won the admiration and esteem of the
democracy of the Union, by his able and patriotic
conduct; and that the ISLANDERS and aSehoods of the
common enemy unworthy IF notice, and beneath
contempt.
At the Lancaster County Democratic Convention,