The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-09
Death of EX-President Buchanan.

The telegraph announces the not unexpected
death of James Buchanan, at his home in Ian
caster, Pennsylvania, in the seventy-seyenth year
Of his age He was the Fifteenth President of
the United States and passed the larger part of
his life in the public service. He was born in
1871, and graduated at Dickinson College, Penn.
in 1909 He was successful practitioner of
law until the age OF forty, when he embarked
wholly on the duties of public life, and did not
retire permanently until the expiration ofhis
Presidential term in March, 1861. When only
twenty-three he was a member Of the PcnnSyl-
vania Legislature. When the war with Eng
land broke out, he headed the list of volunteers
from Lancaster and marched to the defence of
Bat more,
He entered Congress in 1920, and served for
five successive terms in the House. He rapidly
rose to be one Of the leaders of the Democratic
party, and was acknowledged as among the ablest
debaters Of that body. He was the leading man
ager on the part OF the House in the iupelch-
ment of Judge Peck, CT Missouri. He had not
retired long from Congress, IN 1881, when he
VAS appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Min
lster tlenipotentiary to the Court OF st Peters
burg, and concluded the first treaty between the
United States aud Russia In 1883 at the ex-
piration OF Gen. Jacksons first term, he was
elected United States Senator from Pennsyl-
vania, and remained conspicuous member of
that body until called into the cabinet Of Pres-
dent Polk as Secretary OF State, in 1916. He
was most ardent supporter of President Jack
son in those stirring and able debates upon the
National Bank, Tariff and Expunging Reso-
lntlons, Vt hlch have given inn. o,tallty to that
portion Of American history. His sympathcs
were openly with Texas as early rs 1885, and
afterwards had the satisfaction, as Secretary Of
State, OF bringing that new State into the family
of the Union.
Alter the expiration of President Folks term
in lS49, Mr. buchanan returned to private life
until 1853, when he was appointed minister to
England, by President Pierce, and returned in
1866, when he received the Democratic nomi-
nation for President, and was elected in Novem-
Der Of the same year. His administration en-
compasscd the most stormy period then known
In cur political history. Fmst, the Kansas ter
ritorial question, and then the secession of the
Southern States. In all of these troubles Presi-
dent buchanan bore himself with prudence,
Judgment and III strict accordance with the prin-
cip.es which had governed his entire political
life. y firm States rights Democrat, not be-
lcving that the Federal Government had right
to cOerce sovereign States, he refused to be
driven into any hasty attempt to opposet the South
with the military and naval powers Of the Gov
eminent, but endeavored to save the Union by
that enlightened craftsmanship which had So
often blessed the country by its foresight and
ability. His efforts failed for want of time and
the hostilities which could have been averted
were precipitatcd by President Lincoln in the
second month of his administration
Mr. Buchanan's retirement has been as hon
ored as his public life successful; and he has
reached the close OF his career without commit
ting any act to mar the grandeur of his life, or
derogate from the honor Of a country over which
he had presided His name is honorable and
inseparably connected with the most interesting
period of our history, and the impress of his
ability and patriotism is stamped upon the proud
est pages OF our national life Aud now, that the
causes which had made him the invidious target
of political animosities are at an end, the name
Of James Buchanan will live in the memory of
Americans as one of the most sterling patriots
and wisest statesmen which the country has pro-
duced.- Wilmington J0nrnaL