Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-05-02
From the Philadelphia North American Opposition
ME-. RuGhana XNeIenz,ne

From the Philadelphia North American (Opposition.)
Mr. Buchanan's Welcome Home.
1t is understood that MIR. Buchanan is now on the
ocean on his way back to his native land, and we /
are most happy 10 learn that appropriate measures
are In progress to give him cordial welcome here in
Philadelphia An informal meeting of citizens was
hed yesterday, where, among varied political opin-
ions and differing habits of thought, there
est and thorough sympathy in the impulse which
prompts all to give Mr. Buchanan, in this me |
tropolis and the threshold Of Pennsylvania, q |
strong token of individual respect and of gratitude
tor his eminent public services. The Board of
Trade, the proper representative OF our commercial
interests at lis meeting last night look order to the
same effect These strictly popular movements,
not meant, of course interfere with any official ac-
ton by the city authorities but being popular and
spontaneous, quite sure, all the agree
able TO the individual who is their object No pub
lie stood in a interesting and impress
sive relation to the nation, to Pennsylvania and to
Philadelphia, than does Mr. Buchanan at this mo-
ment. His reputation as a national statesman,
steadily enarging through long series of years.
(for he has been in public councils for nearly
! forty,) is higher and surer now than it ever was
The retrospect of his public lfe criticised as may
be-and we have often had occasion 10 dissent from
his oplnons-shows no act, or word, or thought of
infdelity to the Constitution the Union, threat
ened it sometimes to have been, in various
quarters, and throughout there has been the per-
Torrance of active duty Representative, as Sena-
| tor, Cabinet Minister, and in private counsel.
Mr. Buchanan has, too, high national position in
| this, which practically should not be disregarded,
that absence on public service, for the last three
years, while he has disguised his opinions, has
made him, in great degree, exempt from immediate
excitemens, and has enabled him regard and per-
haps control them, by placid and patriotic wisdom,
through the nf1uence of this very exemption. His
diplomatic conduct, at critical uncure of interna-
tional affairs, is highly and justly esteemed There
has been prevalent of comfort and security
every moment that Mr.. Buchanan represented US
| abroad.
We of his integrity, his discretion, his
appreciation to eminent degree of the risks and
Dangers which proud yet peaceoving nations run
as they drift nearer and nearer to the edge of that
whirlpool WHICH often engulfs and always damages;
and above all, we of his keen sense Of
that sentiment of honor, delicate and acute, that
throbs in every pulse Of the American heart, and
whose very sensltlveness may be sometimes stimu-
lated and abused by designing inconsiGerate
Of all this we were sure-and that the trust is
executed and, so far as his agency can effect them
all expectations realized, the nation thanks and
welcomes him. Pennsy lvania too has great reason
to be proud of hir1, and 10 the kind greeting
she has SO often E ven him. It is not easy to avoid
or 10 use without fear of msconstruction, phrases
which party has stere otyped, but in broader and
more generous sense than it was ever used before,
we can with precision say, that Mr.. Buchanan is
welcomed back as Pennsylyania's favorte son."
Pennsylvania is proud Of him, and what Pennsyl-
vania does not always do, she means 10 say So and
10 say it with acclAim louder and wider than has
ever been heard before, for there is local sentiment
operating in his behalf much stronger than political
organization aroused 1t is sentiment, too,
that we trust will not be trifed with The city of
Philadel phia-il we may venture to describe it.,
the Wing city Of Philadel phia-cordiay well
comes Mr. Buchanan Her of business, her
merchants, manufacturers and artisans feel that they
can look with confidence and esteem veteran
statesman whose very experience makes him practi-
: cally conservative, and who as a Pennsylvania,
feels with One is surprised to find in streets
, and in casual intercourse how strong and prevalent
this feeling is. 1t is manifested in the prompt action
of our commercial men. 1t even more in the
Q unprecedented AMI informal meeting of Mr. Bu-
S chanans friends, without distinction of technical
party, where found most distinguished citi-
zens of all professions and pursuits who seemed &c
be brought together only by dlsnteresed desire to
:, offer proper acknowledgment to mertorious pub
lie servant. Philadelphia means 10 do honor where
honor has been so faithfully earned.