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

tatIon of all the accusations of heated party
couibatants? What more conclusive proof
could be given to the nation at large of the fit
ness and merits of statesman who, after such
lifetime, finds his indorsers in the hearts Of the
people among whom he has always lived, and
bis warmest supporters among men who have
for more than forty years stood in opposition to
his opinions!
Ii is said that the grave covers all, that ma
lignty hatS al the portals OF the tomb, and that
from its peaceful bosom spring flowers OF rec
onciliation and torgettunrSs of all eyilpassIonS.
Those who now mourn over the humble yet Inn
mortal grave of jackson rarely think of the
calumnieS which pursued him like SO many un-
sleeping fnres during his lifetime. In the uni
versal homage paid TO his memory, which rises
forever ike incense 10 the skies, how seldom
we recall the bitter epithets with which he was
attacked during his ilustriouS career, And yet
that he araS attat ked, and that he ar0S perSecu-
ted almost beyond parallel, is so. But he outIi-
we'd dptfaction, and long before he passed 10 his
final account. most OF his cneffirs were trans
lated into friends. W. may say Of James Bu-
chanan, that, although still in the strength Of
public usefulness, he too has outlivpd detrac-
ton, and that the echoes Of slandpr which sound
lions upon his character have been consigned,
fall family upon the ear of the present genera
ton. IN the long catalogue of his public SER
vicrS and private virtues, W. lose sight OF the
false charg" Of the personal foe, III the lun'l-
nous and splendid aggregate Of the patriotic
character which he wouid impugn
In 1920, James Buchanan was elected 20 The
House of Representatives, and retained his po-
sition in that body for ten wears, voluntarily
retiring after the first Congress under the ad-
mini>tration Of Andrew Jackson. He was the
warm and the ardent defend"r Of the Admins
iraiioH of Mr.. Monroe, the active opponent Of
the administration of John Quincy Adams. and
the consistent and trusted friend OF Andrew
jackson. The proceedings show that while
he retained a seat in the popular branch OF Con-
grrsS. hr took prominent part in the drhutrs
on all public questions. AS early as 1919, be
entertained opinions hostia TO the constitution
aIity of the Bank of the United States, and in
the fierce struggles which enSued upon The T.
lection Of the hero Of New Orleans, hr was
distinguished champion ofthr Democratic party.
Probably the most Interesting part oi Mr..
Buchanan's history, was his early and effective
support of General Jackson for the Presidency.
He was one of the FIRST advocates OF the hero OF
New ORLEANS. More than thirty years ago, as
member OF the House of Representatives Of
the United States, be was recognized as among
the most active and devoted friends of Jackson.
Distinguished for his eoqurnce an1 Judgment,
even in that period Of hts life, hr contributed
greatly to produce thu state Of feeling which at-
terwardS put General jackson forward as the
Democratic candidate, PENNSYLVANIA taking the
lead Before the House of Representatives Of
the | nited Satrs proceeded 10 elect Presi-
dent Ithr propl- having failed, in 1924. to make
a choicel MIR. Buchanan opposrd. with Indlg
nant eloqurnce, the motion to sit with closed
doors while that duty was being discharged by
the representatives. of the American people.
H. said February ,, 1928
'.llp protested against going into a secret CON
clavr, when the House should decide this all
important QUESTION.
''What are the consequences" said Mr.. b.,
s.which will result from closing the doors of the
galleries We should inpart 10 th, election
an air of mystery. We shonld give exercise TO
the inaginaiians Of the multitude. in conj"cto
ring that scenps are enacted within this hall.
Busy rumor, with her hundred tongnrS, Will
circulate reports of wicked combinations and -
rup.ionS, which have no existence. Let the
people see what we are doing. Let them know
that il is neither more nor less than putting our
ballots into the boxes, and they viii soon be-
com" satisfied OF the spectacle and retire"
When the memorable struggle Of 1923 came
on, Mr.. Buchanan was prominent in th- CON
test Indeed, he was so conspicuous that the
opponents of Jackson bestowed foil share Of
the BITTERNESS reserved for the old hero upon
his efficient and faithful friend. Mr. Buchanan
CANE into The House of Representatives for the
last time in 1929. il was during this session
that he displayed those eminent qualities which
proved him 10 b. one of the ablrst conStitutipa-
al lawyers in the country: and in a BODY 81
which such Statesa.er as McDuffe, Wicklifr,
and =othrrs were members, Mr.. Buchanan was
selected as Chairman OF the Committee Of the
Judiciarv, a duty for which he had been well
prepared in the debates which had taken place
in FORMER sessions, between Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Cal
hcun. Mr. Lowndes, Mr.. Randolph, Mr. Bo-
chansa himself, and others equally eminent
When the celebrated case Of Judge Peck, Of
Missouri, came up before the House, Mr. Ru-
chanan was fh- leading spirit in conducting
the impeachment of that functionarv. The
House Of Representatives, having heard the a.
bic arguments oN both sides, decided 10 prrSen,
to <he S-aate arfcips OF impeachment against
J6deP Peck. and they elected hv ballot. MAY
30, 1880, five managers TO conduct the inn
peach#eent on Ghe part of The House They
were, James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, Hem
rs r. Stores, OF New York, George McDutie,
of South Carolina Ambrose Spencer. Of New
York, and Charles w ickflir, of Kentucky.
The display before th4 Senate oa that ccl-bra-
Ted trial, forms uiost instructive page in hsto-
Fy MrsSrs. William Writ and jonathan Mer-
edith appeared for Judge Peck, and on the part