Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-07-03
Lie and Services of
j A M Il s Ii UGH ANAN.

The following sketch Of the life and
public services of Mr.. BucHANAN. the
Democratic nominee for President Of the
United States, is derived from q memoir
published by the Pennsy lvania Democrat
ic State Central Committee.
Mr. BUCHANAN is in the siaiy.fifth
year of his age. and in the vigor of health,
intellectually and physically. He was
born in the county Of franklin. in the
State of Pennsylvania. Of poor and indus
trious parents. and NAV truly be called
the architect Of his own fortunes. Hav-
ing received good education. he studied
the profession Of the law, in the county
Of Lancaster, in the same State. which
has ever been his home in 1914 & 1915,
he was elected to the Legislature where
he distinguished himself by those exhibi-
tions OF intellect which gave promise Of
future eminence. In his profession. dur
ing many succeeding years. he rose to
the highest class Of legal minds. and at
period when Pennsylvania could boast OF
her Baldwins. her Gibsons, her Rosses,
her Duncans. her Breckenridges. her
Tilghmans. her Hopkinses. her Jenkinses,
her D.llasses. and her Semples. he was
prepared for the struggle of the future.
and soon became CONSPICUOUS among those
who had but few equals in their own
times, and whose fame is still widely
cherished.
In 1920. James Buchanan was elected
to the House Of Representatives. and re-
tanned his position in tha. body Tor ten
years. voluntarily retiring after the first
Congress under the administration Of An
drew Jackson. He was the warm and
ardent defender Of the administration Oi
Mr.. Monroe. the active opponent Of the
al :nistration Of John Quincy Ajoms.
and the consistent and trusted friend OF
Andrew Jackson. The proceedings show
tina, while he retained a seat in the popu
lar branch of Congress. he took promi-
nent part in all the debates upon great
public questions. As early as 1915. he
entered opinions hostile 10 the consiitu-
tionaliiy of the Bank Of the United States.
and in The fierce struggles which ensued
upon the election Of the hero of New Or
leens. he was a distinguished champion
Of the Democratic patty,
Probably the most interesting part Of
Mr.. Bachanan's history was his early and
effective support of General Jackson for
the Presidency. He was one Of the frat
advocates Of The hero OF New Orleans
More than thirty years ago. as member
of the House Of Representatives of the
United States. he was recognized as
among the mos, active and dev oled friends
Of Jackson. Distinguished for his rlo-
quence and his judgment, even in that Pc
riod Of his life. he contributed greatly 10
produce the state OF feeling which after
ward put General Jackson forward as the
democratic candidate. Pennsy sylvsnia TAX
ing The lead. Before the House of Re-
p eseniatives Of the United States pro-
ceeded to elect President (ihe people
having failed in 1894. to make a choice
Mr.. Buchanan opposed, with indignant
eoquence. the motion 10 Sit with closed
doors while that duty was being discharg-
ed by the representatives. of The American
people. +.
When the memorable struggle of 1923
came on. Mr.. Buchanan was prominent
in the contest. Indeed he Vas SO con-
spicuous that the opponents OF Jackson
bestowed a full share of The bitterness
reserved for the old hero upon his efficient
an! faithful friend. Ms. Buchanan came
into the Hodse of Representatives for the
last time in 1929. 1t was during this
h, ha -,
qualities which proved him to be one the
eblsst constitutional lawyers in the coun-
try; and in body Of which such states
men as McDuffie, Wickliffe. and others
were members. Mr.. Buchanan was selec-
ted os chairman Of The Judiciary, a duty
for which he had been well prepared in
the debates which hud taken place in for
mer sessions, between Mr.. Clsy. Mr.. Cal
houn, Mr.. Loundes. Mr.. Randolph. Mr..
Buchanan himself. and others equally
eminent. When the celebrated case Of
Judge Peck, of Missouri. came up before
the House. Mr.. Buchanan was the leading
spirit in conducting tho impeachment Of
that funct;onary. The House OF Repre-.
sentatives, having heard the able argu.
ments on bo,h sides. decided TO present
TO the Senate articles Of Impeachment,
against JUICE Peck. and they elected by
ballot. May 80, 1880. five managers to
conduct the impeachment on the part Of
the House. They were, James Buchanan,
OF Pennsylvania, Henry R. Storrs. Of N.
York Geo. McDufiie. OF South Carolina.
Ambrose Spencer. Of New York, and
Charles Wickliffe. Of Kentucky. The
display before the Senate on that celebra
ted trial forms a most instructive page in
history. Messrs. VIM. Writ and iona
than Meredith appeared for Judge Peck.
and, on the par, OF the managers. Mr..
Buchanan closed the argume nj in speech
of great length and profound ability and
research. 1t is still quoted as one Of the
most mastery expositions OF constitu
tionai law on the public records.
After retiring from Congress in 1881.
he received from Gen. Jackson, unsolici-
ted, the tender Of the mission to Russia.
He accepted that mission. How he dis
charged its grave duties. the archives OF
the legation and Of the State Department
will show. Among other acts, he rem
dsred the country important and valus-
BILE services. by negotiating the first CON-
mercial treaty between the United States