The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-05-16

an important element III the history Of our
country. Ii cannot be too far above reproach.
The example OF an upright statesman during
his lifetime, IS source Of pride and power to
his connrymen, and consoling and purifying
remembrance after he has been gathered TO his
fathers In james Buchanan we find charac-
Ter without suspicion or stain. During forty
years of active and almost constant service in
high political positions, hp has maintained the
same Tranquil drportment, The same scrupulous
regard for the truth, the same dignifed avoid
ance Of corrupt compliances and combinations.
The posterity Of thr friends among whom be
spent his youth, are living around him; aud the
prophecies of those, who saw The promise of his
tariy wears, are recalled by their descendants,
who rejoice in the maturity of his inttirct the
sagaciiy Of his craftsmanship, and the long list
of bis public and private virtues. as the ahuu-
daut lulflment of the predictions Of their faith
ers. Personal malignity has never vet inflicted
diShonor upon his good name. Sland-r, ex-
hauslrs< in It's resources and unsleeping in its
vengeance, has fli!ed in every attempt against
him
Men contemplate Mr. Buchanan, at this day,
not as whoEl envy and wrong have prrse-
cuted, but as a great public character, who has
passed through the fiery furnace without the
smell Of smoke upon his garments, and who
stands out ready to submit TO the test OF any
scrutiny into his conduct as a citizen and
statesman. The day has come which is 10
prove that such talents as his, such experience,
such integrity, such fixed habits of wise fore
cast, are essential 90 the great destiny for which
he seems TO have bern reserved by his country
urn, whO ALWAYS demand The highest qualities
OF craftsmanship in the highest position in their
gift Where, indeed, is there 10 be- found liv-
iug public man, whn presents so exemplary and
50 consistent record, running through 50 ma
~ years Even among thoS- who have dePar-
ted the scene OF human action, there We're few
whn could polJtt 20 more un5rohen series of
services IN drirUcr Of great principles ii we
look down ih- gallery of the long gone past,
AMI take mp tise portraits Of the great actors OF
Other dayS, how comparatively few there are
Wha exhibited an their lives and in their works
H,9re conscientious and high-sauled devotion
10 the doctrines Of the Federal Constitution,
and TO the rights Of tAe States of the American
Union. The course Of Mr. Buchanan has been
neither erratic nor irregular: ii has harueaizrd
with the purest examples Of the past and the
present, and wh all those saving doctrines
which he has drvotrdly practised and defend
ed and whether in the Eious- or in th,- Senate
Of American Congress, whether immersed in
foreign relations, uhtthrr al the hrad of the
most important department ST the government
endrr The memorable Administration Of Polk,
or whether r-posIng ia the calm srclusioa Of his
own home, his wrll-haianced Intellect and his
patriotic devotion to the Eniop, have always
heea displayed at tie right moment, and with
the most striking etF' Ct. Progressive, not in
the spirit of lawlessnps>, bat in harmony with
The steady advance Of our institutions on thS
continent, aad oar example among the nations
' the earth conservative. not IN veneFatIon
aaT antiquatrd abuses, but in sacred regard for
aigrs which cannot BE- violated without Destroy
ing IN fundamental law: he fails in no single
.i-H,ent OF public usefulness, political ortho-
do2y. Or personal character Such is the i'm
Preston made upon those who study the hiSto-
rv, puhlic a4tt privatr, Of James Buchanan
such the conclusive answer which the open and
spntless volume Of his career makes to all who
have conceived ii 0ecesSary 10 attack his emf
Eeat desrrvings and his lofty capacities.
Mr.. Buchanan IS an 9fte sxtv-ftth year Of his
ag-. and n the vig0r of Aeaih, intellectually
anG Thysically He was barn in the County
Of Ffauklin, in the State N Pennsylvania, of
honest and industrious parents and uay truly
he called the architect Of his aWn fortunes.
Having received a good education. he studied
the profession Of the law, in the County of
Lancaster, IN the same STATE. which mas ever
since heea MS home. In 1914 ard 1919 he
was elected 70 the State Legislature, ~here he
distinguished himself bv those exhibitions of
intellect which gave promise Of future eRai-
heaee. In lis profession, during many sUc
c@ealng Wears, he rose 10 the highest class Of e
gal minds, and al fsrciod when Pennsylvania
could boast Of her f3atdatSnS. her Gihsons. her
KassrE, her Duncanss hec Breckenrdges, her
lii9hmans. her i1opkinses, her gen&inses, her
DahaSes, and her SrnplpF, he sVas prepared for
'he straggies Of the future, and soon became
conspicuous aHosIg those who had b0t few
equals 50 their own !imeS, and whose same IS
sun cherished amoGg GQr most agreeable recoi-
iections.
AZ this day. after inoFe than half eentnrg's
intercourse as man and boy with ahe people Of
DIS more Immediate district. end wah Che rg0-
PIE of Pennsylvania after having fgured
prominently in the confict with parties: after
having shared the confidence Of successive
democratic admisst rafions aiier having com
'lanted his energirsto the overthrow of poiii-
Sa heresies without nambar, he might ipavp
MS case TO thousands and tens Of thousands, who
''d'e at various times aniagonized his opinions,
'u' now, with the annals Of his life before them.
"ahd ready TO pay their tribute 10 has conSis-
'FnGy and integrity as public man. ty uniting
= 'h ms political friends in placing him in The
F!e|l2plial chair What nob!er monpment