Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-07-13

BY common consenl. Tho ,h. wisa


opponents, be has consumnted measure,
~ the direction ofthe diplomacy of tho
Government that stamp lis Administra
@ uon WIN The seal OF imperishable honor
The Paraguay expedition, notwithstaud.
ing ITS failure was so confidently predict
ed oy the clamorous organs Of the Oppo.
sltion. was attended, nevertheless, with
the fullest success. The treaty with ia.
pan, opening new ports to our present
and future trade with that crowded EN-.
pire; the treaty with China, by whose
careful provisions, besides co ering the
entire ground Of commercial advantages,
the light OF christianity for the first time.
IS permitted freely to shine among the
heathen millions Of the Chinese world
the consumate skill and judgement with
which, in the face of never ceasng diff
eulties and surprising complications, the
Central American questions have been
manoged, now just on the eve, apparently.
Of producing their well nigh inyaluabie
fru Is; and, above all, the final settlement
OF the Rlght-oi-Search question with Great
Britain, clearly on American principles;
all make up chapter Of history which, if
1t should contain an account of rothing
else OF note would secure for President
Buchanan's Administration prominent
and glorious place in our annals.
Whom we turn to Mr. Buchanan's do~
mestic Administration, so far from its af-
fording reasonable cause of complaint, il
deserves the heartiest commendation of
every citizen who scorns the petty, per-
sonal, paltry politics of the hour, who ad>
mires the conceptions and practice of real
al ul,s -. tIs,I =, a.. =
erable evasons and dishonest expedients
Of Office seeking politicians. While the
President may have offended, in somo in
stances. the morbid sentiments Of particu-
lar localities, we aver that no one who
,peaks seriously and truthfully, can point
his finger TO single case in which no has
not endeayored, according TO his best con.
victions, TO vindicate the laws lie has
sworn toimaintain and TO execute. Nor
can his bitterest opponent honestly accuse
him Of having sought personal popularity
at the expense ofthe Constitution OF that
he has 1T any time deserted his rigid Of
fetal obligations, by coinciding with the
prejudices. or peculiar interests of any
section, or State, North, South, East or
West.
We speak somewhat warmly, fellow
citizens, because we have been and are
conscientiously indignant at the course of
Misrepresentation and vituperation adopt.
ed by the Opposition, as The etect,oneersng
trick Of a party, against a great and venera
bic man, the purity of whose private life,
or public conduct, cannot really be ques-
toned by any honorable person on hon
orable grounds. Besides, we wish to de-
clare that, if to their dscredit, Others
may forget it, we always remember that
James Buchanan is Pennsylvania horn
and bred that his fame as q statesman,
while serving with the highest reputa>
tion in the most responsible trusts under
the Government, is inseparably part of
our State glory and that by force Of his
virtues and splendid abilities, he is the
first and only Pennsylvania to whom the
nation has accorded the Chief Maglstracy
OF the Union.
When he assumed Office it is we'll known
to us, and to all, that two important Ter
ritories of the United States were in
condition of revolt and civil war We
need not point out the fact that both of
these Territories ere now at peace with
themselves and obedient to the Govern
ment. 1t is in every ones recollection,
too, how angry and perilous was the ex-
citement prevailing both North and South
on the subject of negro slavery ;--an ex,
citement constantly famed into flame
by "Kansascshrieking inventions, and
other sensation appliances of the same
sort, until patriotic men began TO fear the
worst, and to turn pale with apprehension.
1t is due TO the President to say that he
has restra ned the wild and vicious spirit
of faction with strong hand--moderate
in its grasp, though strong-untl. at last,
the whole Judiciary Of ue land, federal and
iState,--at Washington, in Ohio, in Geor,
gia. in South Carolina and elsewhere,
may be seer coming to the rescue Of the
Government while in the august pres
ence of the Courts, the storm of political
violence begins sensiblY to subside, COM
mon sense begins everywhere 10 master
unreason, and the victorious presence of
the law begins to conquer the hydra OF
license and disunion.
In the year 1857, commercial and f.
nanclal revulsion. overwhelming as 1t was
sudden, swept over the country, threaten
ing not only private, but public so,vency.
No one will think of seeking TO hold the
President in any way responsible for this
extensive and disastrous CONFUSION of
business and credit. But we believe thai
we have a right to insist that all proper
acknowledgement should be made for the
sagacity, prudence and tact characterizing
the proceedings of the Administration, by
means of which the Governmet was taken
through an unexpected crisis of profound
embarrassment, without the least depre-
citation of its credit, and without any ad-
dition TO the taxes, or permanent increase
of the public debt.
We might say much more, and equally
20 the purpose, in defence of the Presi-
dent and his Administration from the
scurrilous gossip and slanderous attacks
ofth ,se who degrade themselves and the
press, by resortng to such contemplate
devices, so certain to be exposed-but we
forbear, leaving the whole subject 10 the
sober investigation and serious judgment
of the people.
We had intended calling your attention,