Squatter sovereign., 1856-07-01
Buchanan and Breckenridge.

mediate successor OF Franklin Pierce. il
may not be inappropriate, or the present
occasion, 10 give somewhat has.y glonce
a. his public services. He Is not man
with who,a the country is uDacquainted.-
He has rot political character TO create
Tor himself by his administration of the
Offices OF the general government, in the
executive Chair. His opinions, are all
questions ol public interest, are easily as
cerGaincd, for be has so Identified himself
with the public measures of the govern
ment, for the last twenty years, that there
can be no danger of mistake IN ascertain
ing what those opinions are.
In 1921, ne entered Congress as rep
resentatiye from Pennsylvania. He con-
tinued in Congress for ten years, leaving
it il 1881. At the time he entered con-
gress, the political atmosphere ofihe Unit
ed States was comparatively clean and
unclouded. Tie federalis,s had been most
wofully defeated. and were asking to be
forgiven for their manifold transgre ssions.
The country had, with uncommon unani-
nifty, decided in favor Of the Distinguishing
measures ard policy of the republican par
ty, which had been so successfully carried
out during the administrations of Jefferson
and Madison. The "era of good feelings"
under the administration OF Mr.. Monroe,
was interrupted by the election of John
Quincy Adams, in 1925. Mr.. Buchanan
in the outset, favored the election Of Gen.
Jackson fer The Presidency, and it was. in
this contest tetween the coalition OF
Messrs. Adams and Clay, on one side,
and the democracy, who favored the PEE
tensions, and subsequently the admins
tration OF the hero OF New Orleans, on the
other. that Hfr. Buchanan laid the basis of
that high and commanding character.
which he has ever since 50 fully sustain
ed.
In 1881, Mr.. Buchanan retired from
Congress, and accepted TIE mission oil
Russia, rendered TO him by Gen. Jackson.
He remained in Russia about three years,
during which time he negotiated tue flFst
commercial treaty entered into between
that ccua.ry and the Uuiled States, which
opeaed to on merchants tie valuable trade
of the Baltic and the Hpck Sea.
On LIS return fro,D Russia, IN 1884, ne
was elected 10 the Senate OF the United
States to eli the uaexpired term oecasioned
by tie resignation of Mr.. Wilkins; iii
1886 he was elected for full term, aud
in 1912 he was reelected. He serred IN
the Senate eleven years, and during this
period he constantly did battle on The dem
ocrat;c side, having for his opponents such
intellectual giants as Calhoun, Webster
and Clay. He opposed the pretensions OF
the British government in relation 10 the
North Eastern Boundary, and was also
among the first in TIE field who favored
the anne xaton cf Texas to the United
States. To sustain the policy Of Texan
annexation, in the face Of the determined
opposition OF a. large portion Of the Tree
states, required. at that time. for free
state Senator, no incensiderab!e share OF
moral courage. EIr. Buchanan was, low
ever, equal to the emergency. Cool, calm,
firm and indexible. although moderate, and
candid in all his expressions, he was never
known TO hesitate or waver.
In March, 1914, he was appointed BY
President Polk to the post Of Secretary oil
State, in which capacity he served the coun-
Try during the whole period OF that gentle
mans administration. As Secretary OF
State, he had 10 conduct the correspondence
connected with the completion OF the an
nexation OF Texas. initiated by John Ty-
ler's administration. the correspondence
with Mexico, prior to and during the war,
consequent upon the annexation, while lie
was $50 engaged inthe Celebrated Oregon
controversy with Great Britain. The du-
ties he was called upon TO perform, during
his connexion with the State department
were greater, more arduoas and difficult,
than they we're known to be since the or
ganizatien OF our government, lut his ln-
defatigab,e perseverance and consummate
craftsmanship We're adequate to all occa-
sions, and he discharged the duties of his
office to the general satisfaction Of the
country.
On the accession OF Gen. Taylor to the
Presidency, in 1919, Mr. Buchanan retired
to private life. In 1852, on the nomina-
ton of Pierce ard King, he made some Of
the noblest and abiest speeches, in that
campaign, in their support. He was ten
dered by President Pierce. Immediately
after the iliauguratino, the mission to Eng
land. in place Of Mr.. Ersrett. This post
he has flied fer three years, aud IN such
a manner as ic win for him the resTsct and
confidence oil our onn country, as well as
,,f .l, ,..or,'o .r E,nofap5 HE d,ScusS .as, :