The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-03-20
An English Sketch of James Buchanan.

An English Sketch of James Buchanan.
The current number of the English New
Quarterly Review, contaius paper upon
rnew President 1t is apparently from
the pen of brother diplomatist of the late
American Ambassador to the Court of ST.
James. After reSume of the condition of
the United States, the writer thus por,ravs
Mr.. Bucllanans character, and indicates his
policy as President
"Mr. Buchanan has one quality and per-
haps only one, i'll common with Louis. Ma
poleoan, he keeps his own counsel. In both
instances in has been asource of power and
means otsucccss. 1t is easier to offer II
negative than positive affirmation az to the
policy Of the future President. He will Ger
tainly not be Il King Log. lie will be no
puppet in the hands of his supporters; nor
will he knowingly, allow his friends to sway
his better Judgment lie will not bindIy
commit himself TOT onc.sidcd policy, nor
rashly throw defiance in the face Of I'LL par
ties and governments who declare for the
interests OF civilization and humanity.
# is only by a knowledge Of his personal
and political character that an opinion can
be formed OF the policy the President elect
is likely to pursue. BY giving our readers
a description, borrowed from those who have
long known him, nterences may be drawn
rs to his probable conduct when the time
comes for him to exercise the high powers
with which he has been invested Physi-
cally, he is large, powerfully built man
indeed, neither physically, morally, nor po-
lically, is there anything little about him.
Ile is about six feet high, large-limbed, and
OF fair complexion, and, although past sixty.
still shows that lie was in earlier days
what the other sex, who must be allowed TO
decide in such matters, call handsome
man. lie has the habit of holding his
head inclined TO one side, and sometimes
partially closing one eye, rs if to prove;
what was undoubtedly the case during his
mission in this county, that he could sec n
vast deal more with half an eye than all our
Ministers when they open both theirs to
the fullest extent, as they had to do more
than once, if all tales We true, during the
course of their "trans ION OF business wit,
Mr.. Buchanan.
lie is hale and "; Of regular and
active habits, and ptionable moral
conduct, consciencio.si religious, Pres
hyterian, with more indulgence for those of
other creeds than is sometimes found in
persons Of that persuasion kind-hearted,
generous, and charitable, as many instances
reported by those who know him will
prove; distinguished for great prudence and
sagctv IN making his decisions, and for
flrmness in their execution when t;kcn.-
lie was torethought and cool seIt:possession,
conservative in opinion and policy, and
proves the soundness Of his judgement by
being favorable to the Conservative rarty in
England. lie has been heard to say more
than once. "It is remarkable that the Con-
serva'ive leaders and party in England have
always been more inclined 10 be friendly
with Z. States than the Wings" In this,
by the way, he is not singular, for we have
heard sinalar opinion expressed by other
distinguished Americans.
lie has been from early life Sue
cessful lawyer i'll extensive practice, and
most ably filled the highest posts in the
Government, next to that of President, hav-
ing been Secretary OF State, Envoy to St.
Petersburg, dc. He never was married
an early and mutual attachment is spoken
OF by his friends, whose Object WAS by one
OF those terrible dispcnsations which certain.
from him. Washington Irving, who suffered
II similar bereavement. has remained
faithful to the memory of her whom he has
lost. Although the private lives of men in
high stations are considered as belonging
to the public domain, it would not, we
sblnk, be delicate to aludc more particular
ly to the circumstances attendant on this
deep aff1iction in the outset of Mr.. Bucha-
mans career.-What we have said suffices
to show that no cold insensbili,y of charac.
ter condemed him to cribacy.
In manner, Mr.. Buchanan is courteous,
and in conversation mild and deliberate,
with smack of the old school. His bear
lug is calm and digniied, his temper and
language under complete control, although
On occasions, when has conceived that per-
sonal or official slight was intended, he has
shown that, although his parents were Irish.
he can vindicate the claim of his family to
Scotch origin, by acting up to the motto,
Remo me impune 7dcessit.