The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-12-18
mr. buchanan at kNheatIand.

from it the following extract:
We have Travelled through the richest val.
leYs, aud witnessed the most beautiful scene.
rY Of New Eng land; we have passed through
the highly cultivated fields and the finest
portions OF New York and the Middle States;
we have crossed the fertile plains, and the
rich and bOundess pruiries OF the Great
West-~but never in our life has our eye rest-
ed upon richer or a lovelier country than
that portion OF Lancaster County which lies
between Lancaster City and Philadelphia.
II isemphstically, is and without exaggeration,
the Eden of PennsylvaniaD, and the garden
OF the world. II is OF itself worth visit in
the summer time from any person who re-
sides no further of than three hundred miles.
Lancaster City is situated in the interior
Of Pennsylvania, and has a population Of
seventeen thousand inhabitants. About one
and a half miles from this city is Wheatand,
the residence of Mr.. Buchanan. The road
from the city is a narrow, macada mized one,
aud is the principal travelled route 10 Harris
burgh the capita Of the State There are no
sidewalks, and pedestrians are compelled to
take the narrow footputh, Gus, wide enough
for single foot passeRger) or travel in the
beaten track Of the road. The country is
rich and pleasant, not unlike that lying be-
tween Lancaster and Philadelphia after
leaving the city and tlking the macadumizcd
road, the passenger wends his way up hill,
though not hong nor steep one.
This point attained, and the traveller has
fine view OF the quiet city of Lancaster;
its towers, domes, steeples and college build
ings loom up and adorn one side, while,
little way in the opposite direction, and
down d gentle declivity, is the residence of
the Sage of WheatIand. The road to, and
the residence of Mr. Buchanan are marked
with quiet and unusual stiffness; all is hush
| cd, as il no one occupied that mansion, or
resided near; the hum OF voices in the city,
the distant lowing of cattle, the noise OF the
laborers in the far. off fields, can be distinct
| Iy heard at Wheatland. .....
| As you appronch the house you are still
| more struck with it's SAbbath.like stiffness
the fine lawn in front o; the residence, cha
ded with tall and beautiful trees; tho semi
circle c1rriBge way neatly swept and trim
cd; the plain white fence separating the
house from the road, and the post and rail
fence on each side of the pard, give Demo.
cratic air and elegant appearance to the
| Wheatland Mansion. The building is Of
brick, two stories in hight.
The structure is about ten rods from the
highway, and rep0ses, partly hid, in grove
Of trees in front and rear. We pushed open
the gate and entered the carriage way, ol
gravclled walk, which guided up to the man
sion No steps Of children mar the beauti
ful lawn, aud no play toys litter the neatly
swept carriage way; the voices Of childhood
H., h, ~, -
ness A gentle pull at the door bell was
quickly answered by colUrPd person; The
door was thrown vide opcn-denotipg cor
diaEity-and we invited in.
AS we entered, some three or four gentle
men from another State were taking theii
leave aud Mr. Buchanan was welcoming
, Ex Governor T., Of -. and gentleman
who accompanied him We (ound no diff
/ Guilty in singing out Mr.. Buchanan from
the group OF grey headed persons who stoo'
there. He is a fine looking personage. mid
ding height, rather tleshy, ond stouty built
He has large head and mpscive fore head
dcnotng great Intellect. His hair is thi
and white as the driven snow. The picture
. Of b i'm, used for eiectionecring purposes, ar
very good rrscmbIances, though we thin
they hardly d. him justice; we think he
the finest looking person, for an old man
that we ever saw. lie extended his hand i
manner so cordial and frank that he mad
us almost for! ct thnt we were in the presnnc
OF one who is elected to the Chiet Mag istfa
cy Of the Union.
We presented oar letter of introduction
from personal and political friend OF Nj
II Buchanan. On reading it he gave us anott
er friendly greeting, inviting those presen
to bt seated, and asked to be excused for
few moments, as, he said, there were som
Indy visitors in en adjoining room waiting t
: see h,m. He returned in five minutes, Il n
= gave evidence Of his social powers, atfubil
- ty, dignity, decorum and gentcman'y bear
= ing. We remained but short time; bu
- were very favorabiy impressed that Mr.. B.
= "a gentleman of Irankness AID determination
. possessing will and mind Of his own =
We are more persuaded than ever that aItt
= the 4th OF March next he will be "no long
J. james Buchanan" but emphAticaly I'll
e President of the United States.
- Extreme men at the North or South wi
=, find no favor in in his sight. His admini
III trntion, we have not The least doubt, will
popular one, and he viii adm mister the a
y fairs of this government in u manner thu
: will not only disappoint his enemies, b.
p finally realize the highest anticipatioAs
his wsrmest friends and most ardent admi
~ lers.
~ This il the first visit we ever made to Il
" residence of President, nd it will in a
~ u, human probability be the last. A leeln
amounting almost to reverence and aw
came over us as we approached the Whca
y, ~ land Mansion. There, in thst quiet retrea
- within that plain brick edifice, resided oil
~ ~ who is soon to be the ruler Of some Mir
- millions ojpeople.
No sentinel guarded bis door; about Il
gates Of that mansion could not be foul
OF regiments of soldiers on guard or psrnd
"a, protecting the owner from an infuriated mo
N or from secret assassination. The ballt
. boxes have decided who is to be the succe
sor Of the present administration, and Sc
ns diers are not required to enforce the decsit
n. Of that ballot, or to protect the life OF gu
II cessIul competitor. In the ca IN and qu
,y retreat of the shades Of Whcntland, resid
10. the sovereign Of these United States; sit
is pie brick structure his palace; solitary 81
IN. want his body guard; powerful iutele
n an unsulied reputation and Il faithful serva
in his country's service, his qhalificatio
and recommendation; and nations Choi
-, his highest ambition and reward.
'"0 .r. ---------------.ssAs-------------
80 An Important Decision.
IL The election of John Fadden, elected
the Office OF Sheriff for the county OF Sibl