The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-04-16
ished among our most agreeable rscolec'

lions
AT this day, afier more than half cen
tury's intercourse as man aud boy with the
people of his own immediate district, and
with the people of Pennsylvania after hav.
ing figured prominently in the conflicts ol
parties; after having shared the confidence
Of successive Democratic administrations
after having contributed his energies TO The
overthrow of polilicsl heresies without num-
Der, he nigh. leave his case 10 thousands
and tens of thousands, who have at various
times an:agonized his opinions, but now,
| with the annals OF his life before them, stand
ready TO pay their tribute 10 his consistency
and to his Integrity as apublic man, by uni
ting with his political friends and placing him
in the Presidential chair What nohler mon
ument could be raised in commemora,ion OF
any American patriot? What more signifi.
cant refutaiion Of all the accusations OF heat
ed party combatanls What mora conclu-
sive proof could be given to The nation at
large oil the fitness and merits of q statesman
who, after such lifetime, finds his irdor
sers in the hearts Of the people among whom
he has always lived, and his warmest sup.
porters among men who have for more
than forty years stood in opposition 10 his
opinions?
l, is said that the grave covers all, that ma
lgnity halts at the portals Of the tomb, and
tha, from It's peaceful bosom spring flowers
Of reconciliation and forsetfuness Of all evil
passions. Those who now mourn over
The humble yet immortal grave of jackson,
rarely ihiIk of the calumnies which pursued
him like SO many unsleeping furiss during
bis lifetime. 10 the universal homage paid
10 his memory, which rises forever like in.
cense 10 the skies. how seldom we recall the
bitter eplheis with which he was attacked
during his illustrious career! And yet that
he ,rds attacked, and that he aoaS perseculed
almost beyond parallel, is SO. But he out
lived deiraclion, and long before he passed
10 his final account, most Of his enemies
were translated into friends. We may say
of James Buchanan. that, although still in
the strength of public usefulness, he too has
ou,lived detraction, anc that the echoes of
SANDER which sound up from the deep obliv.
ion 10 which The accusations upon his char
acter have been consigned, fall family upon
the ear of the present. generation. In the long
Gaia losue oi his public services and private
virtues, we lose sight of the false charge Of
the personal foe, in the luminous and spen-
did aggregate Of the pauiolic character which
he would impuga
In 1920, James Buchanan was elected 10
the House of Representatives, and retained
his position in that body for len years, volun-
iarlly refining after the first Congress under
the administration of Andrew Jackson. He
was the warm and ardent defender Of the
Administration of Mr.. Monroe, the active op.
ponent OF the administration Of John Quincy
Adams, and the consistent and trusted friend
of Andrew Jackson. The proceedings show
that while he retained seat in the popular
branch of Congress, he took prominent
part in all The debates upon great public ques.
lions. AS early as 1915, he entertained opin-
ions hostile to the constiiutionalily Of the
Bank of the United States, and in the fierce
struggles which ensued upon the election
Of the hero of New Orleans, he war dis
linguished champion OF the Democratic par
ty.
Probably the most interesting part of Mr..
Buchanan's history, was his early and effect
i've support of General Jackson for the Pres
idency. He was one Of the first advocates OF
the Hero of New Orleans. More that thirty
years ago, as member OF the House Of Rep
rssents,ives of the United States, he was rec
ognized as among The most active ard devo.
ted friends of Jackson. Distinguished for
his Sequence and his judgment, even in that
period OF his life, he contributed greatly TO
produce the state Of feeling which afterwards
| put General Jackson forward as The Demo-
cratic candidate, Pennsylvania taking the
lead Before the House of Representatives
Of the United States proceeded to elect q
Presiden, (,he people having failed, in 1912,
10 make choice) Mr.. Buchanan opposed
with indignant eloquence, the motion to sii
with closed doors while the duty was being
discharged by the representatives of the
American people. He said. February I'd
1925:
"Hs protested agains. going into a secret
conclave, when the House should decide thi.
al-impor,snt question.
"What are the consequences" said Mr.
| B., (which will result from closing tho doors
of the galleries? We should impart 10 the
election an air of mystery. We should give
exercise 10 the imasinations oft multitude,
in conjecturing what sceLes are enacted with.
in this hall. Busy rumor, with her hundred
tongues, will circulate reports Of wicked com
binations and corrupiions which have no sx.
isience. Let the people see what we are do
ing. Let them know that it is neither more
nor less than putting our ballots into the box
es, and they will soon become satisfied with
the spectacle and re,ire."
When the memorable struggle Of 1928 came
on, Mr.. Buchanan was prominent in the con
test. Indeed, he was so conspicuous that The
opponents Of Jackson bestowed full share
Of the bitterness reserved for the old hero up
on his efficient and faithful friend. Mr.. Blu
chsuan came to the House Of Representative
e.. A. Ia, ,..n. - raoo I, -. au..nc Al; !;