Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-08-18
From the Washington Constitution.
President Buchanan and
the Succession.

bringing forward the name of the Presi-
dent for denomination and election as the
only mode of quieting distractions in the
democratic party, is the subject of much
comment by the press of all parties. We
refer to the subject with view, if posi-
BILE. Of putting at rest all such specula-
lations. There is no point upon which
Mr.. Buchanan has expressed his determi
ma ion more freely and unreservedly than
his fixed purpose under no circumstances
to te candidate for reelection to the
presidency; and we are satisfied that there
is none upon which his mind is more un-
alterably made up. In accepting the nomi-
nation of the Democratic party in 1856,
he took occasion to say: "Under these
circumstances, l most cheerfully pledge
myself, should the domination of the
Convention be ratified by the people,
that all the power and influence constitu
tionally possessed by the Executive shall be
exercised in firm but conciliatory spirit,
during tile single term that / shall remain
IN office, to restore the same harmony
among the sister states which prevailed
before this apple of discord, in the form
of slavery agitation. had been cast into
their midst" Again, in his Inaugural
at the time of entering upon the duties of
his Office. he said: "Having determined
not to become a candidate for reelection,
L shall have no motive to influence my
conduct in administering the Government,
except the desire ably and faithfully to
serve my country, and to live in the CRATE,
full memory of my countrymen." During
the Presidents recent visit 10 North Caro-
lima, he ayailed himself of the opportu-
nifty to repeat, in the most emphatic man
ner, his determination which he had so
early formed and SO formally declared,
and to which lie has so firmly adhered.--
He announced in one Of his speeches in
North Carolina, when addressing the inn
mediate neighbors of the late Nathaniel
Macon, that, like their own venerated Ma
con, and influenced in a considerable de-
gree by his example, he had long since
determined to retire from public life at or
before the age of three score and ten; that
he thought every wise man ought to pass
the last years of his life-should kind
Providence proloDg his days-in tranquil
ty and retirement, and in preparing for his
last account; that at the end of his term
he would have completed his seventeen
year, and that he would return at that time
to his quiet home with far greater pleasure
than he had enjoyed in coming to Wash
ington to enter on the administration of
the Government. Thus has Mr.. Bucha
nan ayailed himself of every opportunity
both public and private-to announce and
reiterate to the country his fixed and ir-
revocable purpose to retire from public
life at the end of his present presidential
term; ard we feel fully authorized to de-
clare that under go circumstances will he
consent to be candidate for reelection
Whatever course the "opposition' press
may see proper TO pursue hereafter on this
subject, we trust our democratic cotempo
raries will, in justice to the known wish
es and repeated annou ncements of the
President, unite with us in discouraging
for the future all speculations on the sub
ject. And why should Mr.. Buchanan not
desire to retire at the end Of his term?--
He will have devoted the best years Of
long and useful life to the service of his
country. He has been called to many po
sitions of trust and responsibility. In all
of them he has done well. He will leave
behind him a record of which any states
man and patriot might feel proud. He
will have accomplished the great desire of
his heart, so earnestly expressed in the
extract we have quoted in his letter of ac-
ceptance. He will, indeed, have "restored
the same harmony among the sister States
which prevailed before this apple of dis
cord, in the form of slavery agitation had
been cast in their midst" He entered
upon the presidency in the midst of bitter
sectional controversies. The storm had
reached its height, threatening the peace
of the country and the integrity of the
Union. He brought to the helm the strong
arm of statesman, and the stout heart of
a patriot. Truo and faithful, firm and
steadfast, he has spoken quiet to dis
tracted people; and has before him the
bright prospect of retiring to private life
at time of universal peace and harmo-
ny. and prosperity. Not only the do
mestc but the foreign policy of his ad-
ministration will have been attended with
eminent success, and it will only require
the harmonious action of the democracy
to insure to the country the election of a
successor pledged to the support of its
PRINCIPLES