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

tender OF the mission to Russia. He accepted
4 that mission. How he discharged its grave du-
I ties, the archives of the legation and of the
State Department will show. Among other
acts, he rendered the country important and
valuable services, by negotiating the first com
mcrcal treaty between the United States and
Russia, which secnred TO opr commerce the
ports of the Baltic and Black Sea, and insured TO
US valuable and continually increasing trade.
What reputation he left behind him, those who
succeeded him are willing to attest. The chaSte
and manly tribute to his splendid abilities, at
ST. Petersburg, paid during the prccedlngs oi The
Convention, which assembled on the fth Of
March, 1896, by his immediate successor IN the
American legation, at that court, the Hon. VIII
liam Wilkins, shows something OF the habits
aud capacities Of Mr.. Buchanan.
Shortly after Mr.. Buchanan's return from
the Russian mission. The Democrats in the Leg
lsai0re Of PENNSYLVANIA made him their candi-
date for the United States Senate, and elected
him. He remained in the Senate from the 9th
Of December. 1884, uutiihis resignation, March
81, lS+5, having been twice reelected during
that period of time. 1t is not necessary 10 re-
capitulate the distinguished services rendered by
our great Statesman, in the highest legislative
body on earth, so well and 50 widely are they
remembered. In the debate on the admission
oi Arkansas and Michigan 10 his opposition TO
the designs of the aboitionIsS IN his resistance
and exposure Of the schemes of the Bank OF the
[ Jnited States, afler it had been transferred 10
Pennsylvania, as a vast political moni-d monop-
oily IN his opposition TO protlse expenditure
OF the public revenue, for the creation Of an
unnecessary public debt government hank OF
discount, circulation and deposit, under the
British name of EXcheGuOr substitution OF
paper money for the constitutional currency Of
silver and gold the surrender of M'Lrod upon
the insulting demand of England the unjust
distribution OF the public revenue, 10 the States
OF this Confederation in his courageous hoSiil-
~ to special gSlatiou, no matter bow conceal
ed hp co-op-ratrd with Wight, Woodbury.,
Benton, King, Linn, and other leading Demo
Gratis OF that day. As Chairman Of the Coni-
mitlee on Foreign Relations, during series Of
years, IN the Senate Of tie United States, he
sustained The honor of the nation. by his unan-
Swerable demonstration Of the right Of zach
State 70 punish foreign murderer, who, N
time Of peace, Kills an Amrrican citizen upon
IFS own soil. His nastplly exPosili1nS Of our
unquestionable title to the Northeast boundary
line, were upheld BY the decisions of Congress,
aud be won high honor for his opposition to
treaty which gave large portion Of the Aw~rf
ican territory to foreign government. H.
was the advocate of liberal and enlightened
policy in regard 10 the public lands During
the memorable extra srsson OF hundred
days, when the opponents OF the Democracy, in
the Senate Of the United States, had resolved
to push through series OF high federal mra
surrS, beginning with the Bank OF the United
States, and ending with the bankrupt aw, Mr..
Buchanan was constantly IN ms seat, and was
frequently put forward as the leader Of his par
*, in certain irving emrrgpntirs. An early
aud ferveut advocate of The annexation o4
Texas, he signalized his career in that body by
giving his views on that important question: 10
his countrymen, in a speech OF unsurpassed "a
bili;y and power,
ii is hardly necessary to 90 Over Mr.. Hu-
chanans record, 10 show how true he has been
on all thoSg great questions involving the rights
OF ,h~ States and the rights of the citizens ofthe
States Cn those delicate questions which tried
50 many Northern rn-n, and which lost to the
Democratic party Of the country some of lis
most prominent leaders, who would not follow
tbr doctrine OF State rights 10 its Just and logi
, cal conclusion, MIR. Buchanan found uu
Wavering and decided In the exciting debate
during the Congress Of 1896, on the subject Of
circulating incrndarv documents through the
mails ofthp Enitrd States, Mr.. Buchanan spoke
repeatedly in support Of the Message of Mr.. Van
Buren. demanding the Interference OF the Ma
tional Legislature TO prevent the dissemination
OF appeals among the slaves OF the South to rise
in srrvile nSurrrction against the people Of that
quarter OF the country and on the question OF
the abolition of slavery in the District Of CO.
luHhia, Mr.. Buchanan USED the following rni-
phaiic language:
'sWhat is now asked hv these npmorialists?
That IN this district of ten miles square-a Dis
trlct carved out OF two Slaveholdng States, and
surrounded by them on all sides, slavery shall
BE- abolished What would be- the effect of
granting their request You would thus erect
citadel in the very hearts Of these States up
on a territory which they have crded to you
for far different purpose, from which Aboli-
tioni>S and incrndlari~S could securely at
tack The peace and saf,iyof their citizens You
establish rot within The slavehoIding States
which would be city OF refuge for fun-
away slaves. You create by law central
poin, from which trains OF gunpowder NAV be
securely laid, extending into the surrounding
States, which NAV at anv moment produce
fearful and drs,ruci;p explosion. By passing
such law, Won introduce the enemy into the
very bosom Ofthese two States, aud afford IlIm
every opportunity TO produce a servllr InSur-
rectIon. Is there any reasonable man who can
for one moment suppose that Virginia and Ma
rrand would have ctded the district OF Coiuin-
ba TO ih,. United States, il they had entertained
the slightest IDEA that Congress would ever use
it for any such purpose They crded 1t Tor
your use, for your convenience, and not Tor
th4ir own destruction. When slavery ceases TO