M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-06-26
JAMES BUCHANAN.


A sketch of the life and services of JAMES
BUCHANAN, so widely known for his eminent
abilities as a statesman and his exemplary
character in private life, would seem work
of supererogation, under ordinary circuln.
stances. The pages of impartial history
will bear to future generations the record OF
his acts as public man, while his generous
sympathies for the masses and his numer-
GUS acts of kindness will be cherished by the
recipients of his favors long after he shall
be laid in the silent tomb. He has, howev-
er, become the standard boarer of the great
Democratic party, and it is customary on
such occasions to refresh the minds of the
people with the antecedents ofthe man up
on whom this honor has been conferred
Mr.. BUCHANAN is sixty.fve years ofage,
and in the vigor of health, intellectually and
physically. He was born in Franklin coun-
ty, Pa, of honest and industrious parents
Having received good education, he stud
led law in the county of Lancaster, where
he has continued to reside ever since. In
1914 and 1915, he was elected to the Leg
islature, where he exhibited those powers of
intellect which gave promise of future emf
nence. In his profession he arose to high
distinction and was classed among the best
of the many able legal men ofwhich Penn
sylvania then boosted.
In 1920, Mr.. BUCHANAN was elected to
the Lower House of Congress, and retained
that position for ten years, when he volun-
turily resigned. He was the warm and ar
dent defender of Mr.. Monroe, the active OPP
ponent Of the administration of John @.
Adams, and the consistent and trusted friend
Of Andrew Jackson. AS early as 1915, he
expressed opinions hostile to the U. s. Bank
and was conspicuous in his opposition to it
during the struggle that followed between
the people and that monster monied power.
OF course he was bitterly assailed by the
opposition, and calumny and reproach heap
ed upon him by the friends Of the bank with
out stint but, like the old hero Of the her.
mitage, he lived down the ISLANDERS by the
uprightness of his life and the consistency of
his political course. After retiring from
Congress in 1881, he received from Gen.
Jackson the appointment Of Minister to
Russia. He accepted the offer, and full
filed his mission with marked ability. He
negotiated the first commercial treaty be-
tween this Government and Russia, which
secured to American merchants many i'm
portant advantages.
In 1884 Mr.. BUCHANAN was elected to
the United States Senate. He held this po-
siton until the Sd of March, lS45, when he |
resigned. Mr.. Polk rendered him the post
ofSecretary Of State and he Immediately ac-
ceptod it, and entered upon the duties of that
important Office. How we'll and ably he
acquitted himself in that position is known
to all. The distinguished ability with which
he demonstrated our clear and unquestiona-
BILE title to Oregon is yet fresh in the minds
of the people. So overwhelming were his
proofs and arguments that he won the ap-
plause Of the whole liberal world, and his
papers on that subject were translated and
published in several of the European Ian
guages. He remained in Mr.. Polk's cab.
net during the Mexican war, and aided by
his sound craftsmanship, and great wisdom
to make the administration a successful and
brilliant one. Upon the close of Mr..
Polk's term, Mr. Buchanan returned to his
native State and in the quiet of his country
home engaged in pursuits congenial to his
tastes, until the election of Gen. Pierce to
the Presidency. 1t has been customary 10
select from among the ablest and most ex-
perienced Of our statesmen, man to repre-
sent this government at the Court Of St.
James. The appointment of Mr.. BUcHAN-
AN to fill that mission was creditable to the
Judgment Of the President, and gave great
satisfaction to the whole country. The
manner in which he has performed the deli
,ate duties Of that post for three years past,
las only confirmed and strengthened the
confidence placed in him. The important
questions existing between the two govern.
nents, either of which upon slight blunder
f the American Minister might have led to
n open irruption, have all been safe in the
are of Mr.. BUCHANAN. Like the many
ther honorable posts which he has occupied
-ithin the past forty years, it has, as it were,