The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-11-19
JAMES BUCHANAN.

The following reflections on the cleo
ton of James Buchanan by the people,
from the Journal of Commerce, are so
admirable that We copy them with our
full endorsement: at cannot always
happen, that those who spend their lives
il the public service,-though they may
earn their country's gratitude by accom-
plishing the most beneficial results, and
manifest the highest ability and patriotic
zeal in the sphere of their employment,
and exhibit administrative qualifications
adequate to the loftiest functio ms of
government,-shall receive the highest
reward of an honorable ambition, and be
elected to fill the Presidency of the
Union. The number of public men who
attain to exalted eminence in point both
of capacity and popular appreciation, is
SO great in a Republic, where Office,
with its dignity, influence and emolu.
ments, is open to all, that the claims of
some are uuavoidably postponed to the
necessities of the case. The present
generation has seen Clay, Webster, aud
Calhoun pass away, without the distin-
guished mark of national appreciation
which they were freely acknowledged to
have me,ited; and there are statesmen
now living competent for the most ex-
allied position of trust and honor, whose
age puts them beyond a reasonable ex-
pectation of reaching that elevation.
But it is a matter of peculiar gratifca-
tion to contemplate the besto val of that
reward by an intelligent and grateful
people, upon one whose title to it is un-
questioned even by those who ~repudiate
his claims. Such a spectacle this n q
tion beholds in the election Of James
Buchanan. Distinguished for fidelity
and efficiency in the discharge of numer-
Gus great trusts confded to his discrc-
ton, the country calls him now at a
crisis in her history requiring all the in.
telligence that long experience and ia
miliarity with public affairs impart, the
prudence that age is requisite to mature,
and tho patriotism that comprehends the
interets of twenty-five millions of peo-
pie, and biased by no sectional PARTIAL.
ties and sympathies,- to guide her coun
ellis, command her fleets and armies
force obedience to her laws, and to take
care that she sustains no detriment.
There exists the fullest assurance, IL
the character of the man selected to per
form these duties, and in the circum.
stances with which his assumption o.
them is about to be attended, that the
honor and prosperity of the country
preservation of peace, the promotion of
industry, protection of property, and al
equal and prompt administration of jus
tice, will be the aim and the end of tht
administration over which be presides
Whenever the national government ha:
been conducted with a single eye tt
these objects, civil strife, and sectional
excitement have least prevailed. Tho
ambition that might influence a younger
Incumbent OF ttc-freeiIaaLialr hair-tc
seek to rropitiate local interests and tt
conciliate party support, is powerless tc
shape the policy or control the action:
of one like Mr.. Buchanan,-who havin.
attained the full measure of his reward
has no persons al aspirations to crafty
and wants no other solace for his declin
ing years, than the consciousness tina.
will attend his retirement of success hon
orably achieved. of duties faithfully dis
charged, and of having contributed, lei
US hope to strengthen the Union of thu
Confederacy, and to perpetuate the ex
istence of the Republic"