Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-08

furniture of Pennsylvania oak. He receives
his company with q courtesy and simplicity
that makes every one feel at his ease, though
he never appears undignifed. His converse
| ton has a peculiar charm, because he uses, as
| Mr.. Calhoun did, common and plain language
to communicate his thoughts. He never con-
Pounds you with language, or words you do not
understand, nor does he attempt to dazzle by
striking expressions or applying pungent cpl
| thets. His is the clear, explicit language OF
everyday life, and which is most BETTING all
| stations.
Everything about him indicated that he
loves order and quiet and that the tendency OF
his mind is in favor of utility. There is nothing
gaudy or frivolous to be found in his house.
Its furniture is plain, substantial, and appro-
pirate to its place and uses. His affection for
his friends is manifested in all parts of his
house. | was much gratiied in finding In his
library likeness of the late Vice President
King, whom he loved, (and who did not p
He declared that he was the most unselfsh
man that he ever knew, and that from an in
innate acquaintance of thirty years he had
never known him to perform selfish act.
Mr.. BIS tastes are of the most simple kind,
and he lives like his neighbors, without at
tCmPtiuS tOOiloH OSLcutdIIOu VI WCoiiooAC
display. His uniform frugality has crowned
in latter years with liberal competence, never
contaminated by parsimony. Poverty and
affection never solicited of him in vain. He
has always been liberal and charitable. He is
now about sixty-fve years of age, and has
never married. His family consists of himself
and niece, whose education has been mainly
under his direction, and who accompanied him
during his late mission to England, and whose
knowledge and sense, derived from books
study, and reflection, peculiarly qualified her
to grace and cheer the fireside of the Sage Of
Wheatland.
Mr.. Buchanan is very frank with his friends,
and is always ready to avail himself of their
suggestions, when appropriate. was much
struck with the attachment of his old neighbors
and friends, and, indeed, of all Pennsyvanians,
to him personally. / saw no man in Lancaster
who was not his devoted friend. You would
be surprised to learn the large number who
voluntarily tell you of his numerous acts of
kindness to them, or their parents, relatives, or
neighbors. His old clients are universally at
tached to him, and many speak of his gratuit-
Gus professional services in fighting the battles
of the poor A stranger would suppose that
the entire population were his friends. During
a stay of two days at his house found him
thronged with company, from early morning
till a late hour in the evening, who came to
congratulate him upon his safe return from
Europe and triumphant nomination. The nu-
merous calls from the Pennsylvania farmers
seemed to afford him great pleasure There
that touched the heart. This deep feeling of
attachment was strikingly illustrated when
was present. A Kentucky drover had been to
Philadelphia and sold his cattle to city dealer.
When the business was closed, the latter came
with the former to Lancaster, distance of
seventy miles, apparently for the sole purpose,
Of congratulating Mr.. Buchanan, and introduc-
ing his western friend. | was told of other as
striking instances of attachment.
saw many prominent Wings at his house,
and others on the way, who openly avowed
their intention to vote for Mr.. Buchanan. The
reasons for so doing were either personal at
tachment, or an avowed. strong desire to re-
press all agitation and action tending to dis
union, and wish to restore,national harmony
and quiet. They seemed to be confident that
his election would produce this desirable re-
suit. Some referred to our foreign affairs, and
expressed the opinion that his experience, wis
dom, and prudence, would keep them from
falling into confusion, or resulting in conten-
ton or stain upon national honor.
Mr.. Buchanan is large, muscular man,
who enjoys the most perfect health, and is ca
pable of enduring as much labor as a young
man. During the time ] was with him heard
of no subject of conversation with which he
was not familiar. he was early distinguished
as sound lawyer. Ten years service in the
House and ten in the Senate made him familiar
with the legislation and policy of the country.
Three years service in Russia and three in
En- nd -, IL ~
partment as Secretary made him more familiar
with our foreign relations than any other living
man. From this you will readily believe that
it is o treat to converse with him on diplomatic
as well as other subjects, and that those who
spend much time with him depart greatly wiser
than they came. He instructs without making
one feel that he does so, and you regret when he
is called off from the subject in hand. Had
the state of my own business permitted,
should have been but too happy to have en-
joyed his hospitality and society for much
longer period, and to have profted by conyer-
sation with one SO well qualified to impart wis
dom and knowledge.
Like General jackson, he ssems to have
nothing to conceal. He remarked that the
time was. when he was axious to be elected
President, but years and the loss of those who
had served long with him in public life, and
who would have rendered him the needed sup
port, had changed his feelings upon the sub
ject. He had now been made a candidate
without an effort of his own, and he felt bound
to submit to the wishes of his friends, and
therefore consented to become the representa-
tive of their principles and wishes. When re-
ferring to the fact that all who entered public
life with him had left the stage, and he was
left alone, he seemed deeply affected. A new
generation had sprung up around him, to
many Of whom he was much attached, but
they had not been his compsnionsin- arms in
the political conflicts of his early life. But
the sons of his early friends had demanded
his services, and he had no right to refuse He
inquired, with emphasis, why should l, after
forty years spent in the turmoil and excite
ment Of public life, wish to leave my quiet
home, and assume the responsibilities and
cares incident to the Presidency A sense Of
duty alone has induced me to accept the nomi
nation. They tell me that the use of my name
will still the agitated waters, restore public
L.. l. L..