Washington sentinel., 1856-04-15


his wisdom. While in general knowledge
and attainments, Mr.. Buchanan is comparable
TO any among US, he has made the service and
business of Government his fayorite pursuit
For nearly forty years his versatile and un-
riyalled powers have been tried upon every
theatre which could test their value and con-
firm their worth In the House of Represen-
tatiyes he was noted for his clear, forcible, and
precise style Of debate, and he never failed TO
charm and to convince by the graces OF his
eloquence, and the force of his reasoning
powers. He made his work so legible on the
business of Congress, that he was selected to
conduct the impeachment against Judge Peck.
And his talents in conducting that trial won
the applause of everybody, and prompted
General jackson 10 tender him the mission to
Russia. Having discharged the duties of that
foreign trust to the perfect satisfaction OF his
country, he scarcely reached his native land
before the Keystone State placed him in the
Senate, and returned him to that body as
long as he would consent to serve. There
he faced the ablest opponents of Democratic
doctrines that this country has ever seen. And
all admit that he stood erect and conspicuous
in the boldest strife, and was in power of argu-
ment and readiness Of resource the equal Of
any in the mighty host.
But it was during the administration of Pres
ident Polk that Mr.. Buchanan's great talents
and services as a practical and commanding
statesman ripened to their fullest growth. The
cares and labors Of our foreign intercourse
rested then upon his shoulders; and he showed
how broad those shoulders were, and how
much pressure they could endure. His contest
with the English diplomatists demonstrated
the excellence Of his wisdom, and prompted
President Pierce to tender him the mission
to England. Throughout an able and pro
tracted negotiation, the English Minister found
Mr.. Buchanan a statesman whom no art could
elude, no sophisry mislead, nor menace awe.
And he gave to Lord Clarendon tougher argu-
| ments 10 swallow than the stomach Of his
| lordship was able to digest. The haugty Pre-
mier of England aimed to recover from Uncle
| Sam all that he had wasted upon the Russian
Car; but was foiled in his attempt, and
checked in his insolent designs.
Yet, all classes of the English did Mr..
Buchanan honorable aud exact justice. They
saw that he did as much by his private in
tercourse as by his official wisdom, to preserve
the friendly relations of the two countries. In
all places-at home and abroad-this eminent
statesman has welded an able pen and a com
manding voice for the cause of the people and
the blessings of good government. He has
been tried by difficulties, and strengthened by
trouble. He has shown no dread Of powers
with the stoutest foe; and he has never failed
to meet the magnitude of every crisis. To
such statesman the welfare of the nation
may be safely entrusted 1t would be difficult
to find any character among us whom the
highest station would better become whose
knowledge and experience would be more use
ful to the country; or whose lofty fidelity to his
sacred trust would be more constant and un-
shaken. He would become the decus patyie,
columenque GENTS.
Yet, under professions of friendship, some
artful sycophants of power have lately resusci-
tated exploded charges, and have exhausted
their laborious efforts in giving to Mr.. Buch-
anan hollow, insincere, hypocritical defence.
Let no such creatures be trusted, the ground
which they lard with their dirty greese is slip.
perry and rotten. Lutrica tota ria est, et perfdd.
The man, who, for forty years, has stood erect
and consistent in public life, who is the admi.
ration of all countries, and the glory Of his
own, may sill expect some open foes, and
some shafts Of envy to hurtle in the air. But
be has the right and power to disperse the little,
mean, and unmanly assaults which originate
in the meditated mischief of deceitful personal
designs.
| 1t bodies no vantage to the Democratic party
for junto who profess to support it to assail
the great statesman of Pennsylvania, whose
position in regard TO every measure of public
policy was incontrovertibly maintained by
Virginia in 1852. In that year the fifteen
electoral votes Of Virginia were freely cast
upon him in the Baltimore Convention Mr..
| Wise, who was most jealous and effective in
casting that vote, was afterwards raised to
the Chief Magistracy Of Virginia. Since
1852, ohat has Mr.. buchanan done that
the noble Democrats Of TIginia should
be urged 10 desert his claims, and stigma.
tize his honori 1t cannot be said that he
has used official patronage for private ends /;
that he has formed clubs and meetings to pro-
claim his glory, and to promote his views. In
foreign land, he served his country, while
others staid at home, to serve themselves. he
has stood aloof, upon his dignity and pride,
and kept an ocean between himself and politi.
cal intngues.
CAT IN THE MEAL TUB.
The fugle-men Of the Black Republican