Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-19

glory of conquest and in the dust Of defeat;
and has always protected that powerful and
patriotic interest in the South which has con-
tributed so much to maintain the union of the
States and the ascendancy Of the Democratic
party.
But We do not recite these services as con-
stituting any claim for peculiar compensation
their reward has consisted in their success yet
when the South comes to declare who is the
most efficient representative of their political
opinions and sectional interests, it is proper to
remember that he has been tried and found
true through long, faithful, and consistent
term of public service.
1t was for this cause that Virginia gave Mr..
Buchanan her support in the Presidential con-
vention Of 1862, when she adhered to him,
until her duty to the National Democracy de-
manded that she should bestow it upon a
nominee then altogether unexceptionable and
comparatively unknown.
Since that period he has been called by the
President to represent our interests at the
Court of Great Britain, and although by the
withdrawal of the Fishery question from our
unadjusted differences with that power, his ne
gotations were deprived Of a powerful argu-
ment Of reciprocity, he yet evinced no discon-
tent at this implied imputation upon his capa-
city. He represented faithfully the views of
the Administration at the conference Of Os-
tend. He resisted the pretensions of England,
entailed by the entangling alliance of the Clay
ton-Bulwer convention. He demanded ac-
Great Britain for her deliberate and offensive
infractions of our neutrality laws, as well as of
her own solemn treaties; and he now returns
from that eminent and responsible position,
having faithfully performed every duty COM
mitted to him by the Government of his eoun-
try.
1t is an usual and almost unmeaning decla-
ration, that men who have devoted their lives
to the political services of their country are
averse to receive its highest honors; but Mr..
Buchanan has given the most conclusive evi.
dence that he desires to retire from the toll
and responsibilities of Office, by his repeated
withdrawal from stations not only gratifying
to his ambition, but valuable in affording
facilities of higher advancement. From this
retirement he has invariably responded to the
call of his country or of its government.
His present prominent position is not Of his
seeking 1t is the spontaneous impulse of the
popular mind turning in the hour Of strife, am
bition, and fanaticsm, to one who treads the
stage amongst the last and the greatest of
departing race Of Statement. 1t is the fec
tonaie demand Of the substantial masses of
his own State, that he whom they have sup
ported with such constant unanimity through
SO long and so eventful period, should post
pone the retirement upon which he has deter
mined to the last and the highest service he
can render to them and to the nation.
He comes with no power of patronage, with
no skill of intrigue. His sole strength con-
sists in the integrity of his character, the ex-
tent of his experience, and the superior ability
of his mind.
He will be hailed by men of every grade of
opinion as moderate, conservative, national
statesman, an able, experienced, and honest
man. He has secured the trust, and won the
vested in the confidence of the country the
honest accumulation of life OF honorable
service. This it will be his duty to maintain,
without diminition, as the solace Of his age,
and the assurance of the future. 1t will not
be for him to jeopardize this precious deposite,
by reckless speculations upon the public trust
confded to him, to repair broken political
fortune, to strike out at the risk of destruc.
ton to the Union new measures for his own
personal aggrandizement There can be no
danger that he will intrigue for second term,
who does not solicit even the first. There viii
be no danger that he will seek to turn the yes
sci Of State upon a piratical cruise, when he
has freighted her with so many, and such
splendid acquisitions. No, let others adore the
false gods Of ambition. For him and his house,
they will worship in the temple Of the Union,
and pursue the path traced by the fathers of
of our liberty and of the Constitution.
Such a man will unite the support of the
National Democratic Party. He will enlist
the SURFACES Of every conservative patriot who
is willing to postpone the discussion Of ques
tons involving the mere expediency Of admin
istraton, to the great object of restoring the
harmony and perpetuating the duration OF the
Government itself He will receive the sup
port Of National Wings, whose hearts, softeped
by the Democratic justice accorded to the
and motives of HENRY CLAY, will
testify their appreciation Of this magnanimous
spirit by casting their votes for one who vas
ever the antagonist OF that great man, in opin-
ion, but his associate in every measure neces-
sary for the defence and welfare of their
common country. He will receive the support
Of the Southern States, because he has acquir.
ed their confidence, without having incurred
the hatred or suspicion of the North, and
whilst they rally around and rely upon him as
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