Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-05-15
From the Washington States.

From the Washington States.
The President and his Cabinet.
Public men ia all countries-especally in repre-
sentative governments-are objects of peculiar inter
est 10 the people in truth, they may be appropri.
ately considered public property. In our own gov
eminent, when new administration assumes the
direction of public affairs. it is right and proper that
the President should give fair unbiased insight into
the character of its members. In compliance with |
the announcement in our Saturdays issue, will
endeavorsbriefy to perform this duty.
James Buchanan is now the Chief Magistrate of |
the nation He came into that exalted position with
a record untainted by any act of commission omis
son performed through public service of than
forty years. which be so distorted as TO question
his right to e cassed as to the coequa of any OF
his iIlusrious predecessors HIS private and public
career-each signally marked by purity OF purpose
and unbending integrity. He is son of Pennsylva-
MA At the age of twenty three he was taken from
an already acquired proud position at the bar, by
the people of his district composed OF Lancaster.
York and Chester counties. and elected member of
the legislature of his native State, where he became
distinguished as the leading advocate OF measures
tending to aid the administration OF President Mad-
son in the prosecution of the war with England In
1920 he elected by the same constituency men,
Der of The lower house of Congress, and enter
ed the national arena in December, 1921. He
was re elected four consecutive terms men,
Der of that body and after serving ten years,
ending March 8, 1881, he declined re-elec-
lion, and returned to bis home and the practice of
his profession. In 1882 he was again called from
private life by President jackson, who appointed
him minister 10 the court of st. Petersburg. I'M
medately upon his return from Russia, alter having
| accomplished, in the most brilliant and successful
manner the objects of his mission, he was fixed up
on by the Democratic party OF the old keystone
common wealth as its candidate for United States
senator. He took his seat in the Senate in 1885, and
twice re elected to that high place by the legs-
la,ure of his native State His great abilities
| legislator statesman and patriot, soon ranged him
in the front column of the distinguished champions
of Democratic principles in that august body. In
March, 1845, he resigned his seat senator, in
sequence of being selected by President Polk to take
a place in his Cabinet Secretary of State. The
triumphant career and termination of that admins
ration, and Mr.. Buchanans connection with it,
matters of familiar history occupying the brightest
pages of our nations history. AT the end of Presi
dent Folks administration Mr.. Buchanan again
tired TO private life, at his Wheatland home, from
whence he was called by President Pierce at the COM
mencement of his administration, to fill the high
place of representative of the United States at the
court of London. His mastery and brilliant diplo.
matte career in England has fixed upon it the seal Of
his counry's appreciation.
The enthusiastic reception Of our distinguished
countryman upon his return to his native land in
April last is still fresh in the public recollection
His landing from the gallant ship that bore him safely
across the Atlantic was hailed with rejoicing every
where; and the electric power which carried the
news of his arrival seemed to inspire the people in
making it the occasion for great gala day. His
native State had already spoken in general conven-
ton, proClaimiDg him TO be the candidate OF her
choice for the Chief Magstracy of the nation. The
appeal of her gallant Democracy was responded to
by her sister States and within months after his
return to the country, James Buchanan was nomina-
ted by the Democratic National Convention assembled
at Cincinnati, the choice of the whole country,
} and last November he elected to the highest
Office in the world. He is President of the Uni
ted States of America. The helm of State placed
in his hands, under the direction of constitutional
: mandate, on the 4th of March last. The gallant
ship, whose destiny is in his hands and under his
guidance, is fairly launched and the sea has
smooth, clear appearance, with rocks or shoals
IN sight She Is, however, on perlous four years
voyage and will, doubtless encounter storms of the
most threatening aspect, from w hich she can only
be rescued by the ability skill and cool dgment OF
her distinguished navigator. We have presentinent
which in the belief that the voyage will be
emnenty successful and prosperous and that at the
end of the four years cruise the old ship will be found
staunch as ever-not plank out of place, and ready
10 be turned to her owners with all her colors
proudly floating in the breeze.
Thus have we briefly traced the leading incidents
in the public career of James Buchanan. We fount
him on the lower round of the Statesman's ladder
as a member of the legislature of his State, anc
have followed him step by step to the highes, which
has seated him in the Presidential chair In every
position he has occupied throughout that long public
career, he has triumphanty filled the full measure
of his party's and his counrys expectations. A ar
unerFng proof of this, the truth can be proudly as
serted, that he triumphantly elected in every
contest before the people of his native State. The
word " fail has not yet been found in his political
vocabulary. We have also attempted to predict fol-
J, him bright and successful future In presenting
this sketch of his public character, we have confined
ourselves to the published history OF the country
Without drawing into our service any fancy or magi
S native embellishments Our favorable predictions
are entirely based upon the soundness of his antece
dents, and the circumstances connected with his cleo
ton. He is emphaticalIy the Peoples President
BE-. He was nominated and elected by the People De
!. mocracy-not by intriguing cliques of designing
wire-pullng politicians. Let the Pre- dent profit BY
these lights, which have long been with
IN the range of his clear vision. Let him not permi
himself to be surrounded by circle, composed of thu
political gamesers who are obsequious in hei
devotions and prodgal in the tender of their
sci and support, to the exclusion of the humble bu
trusty captains who represent the legions of his u
e friends Let him be the President in his own per
son, as the Democratic party intended he should b
!, when they elected him, and as we solemnly belev
he will be, and our brightest hopes and :prediclon
will be proudly realized.
State Constitution Violated-BIack Republican
;, Tyranny.