The union Democrat., 1868-06-06

DEATH OF GREAT Pres.
ident James Buchanan died at his residence,
Wheatland, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on
the End inst, in the 18th year of his age.
Mr.. Buchanan's first service to his country
was as q soldier in the war Of 1872, after
ward be was for some years q member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature; then for several
years in Congress, first as Representative and
subsequently as U. S. Senator from Penn
sylsania. lie was Secretary of State during
the administration of James X. Polk. Dur
ing the administration of Franklin Pierce, he
served with .:arked distinction as Minister
to England, and was the prime mover in
bringing about the celebrated "Ostend Con.
ference" of the American Ministers to Eu.
ropean Courts. In the Summer of 1856, Mr..
Buchanan resigned his position as Minister
to England, came home, was nominated for
the Presidency by the Democratic party and
at the Presidential election in November of
the same year was elected President over
Millard Fillmore the "knownothing" nom
nominee. His administration began when
the country was convulsed by the agitation
of the Kansas-Nebraska question, when the
old conservative element in the North had
almost died out and was being fast replaced
by generation educated in the school of
Wendell Phillips, John P. Hale, Horace
Greedy and that class of fanatics. The mis-.
representations of demagogues: clerical and
political, developed, with hot bed rapidity,
the sectional hostility to the South and in the
fall of 1860, before the close Of Mr.. Buchanan g
administration, Lincoln's election was the
fruit of the seeds Of sectional hate, sown thir-
ty years before. Then the war clouds began
to gather on the political horizon, and Mr..
Buchanan, with the wise foresight of the
statesman, fully comprehending the magni-
tude of the crisis, and the terrible results
which would inevitably follow an arbitration
by arms, sought to compromise our Difficult
ties; his efforts, and the efforts Of all the
conservative statesmen failed and the sequel
is we'll known to all. The Republican party
tried to blacken his administration by lay
ing large share of the blame of the war at
his door but, in a book published about two
years ago, he completely turned the tables on
his enemies, justified himself, and demon
strated that they were alone responsible for
! the war and its calamities. He lived just
long enough for time to vindcate his course,
/
and cover his enemies with confusion.
GRANTS LETTER OF AccEPTANcE.-The
following letter from General Grant is, by
long odds, the lamest, dullest, stupidest pro-
duction that has ever emanated from any can.
didate for an Office above the grade of consta-
bic. lie stretches himself, full length, on
the Radical platform, and hugsit. lie maps
out no tangible, practical course to be pur-
sued for the restoration of the Union, no
remedy for the financial evils with which we
are afflicted no mode to relieve the people OF
the staggering burden Of taxation which
oppresses them. lie is evidently conscious
of his mental weakness and of the weakness
of his cause, and wisely concludes that, for
HIM at least, it is not proper ''to lay down a
policy to be adhered to through an admins,
tration of four years" lie wont be troubled
with much administration. But to the
letter:
WASHINGTON, May Goth
GEN. JAMES r. HAwLEY, PRESIDENT NATIONAL UNION RI
PUBLICAN CONVENTION. formally accepting the nomin-
alton the National Union Republican Convention of May
2lst proper that statement of my views be-
yond the acceptance of the nomination should be
expressed. The proceedings OF the Convention were
marked with wisdom. moderation and patriotism, and
believe express the feelings and greatness ~ who
sustained the country through its trials endorse the
Resolutions. If elected TO the Office of President of the
United Seaes it will be my endeavor to administer all
the laws in good faith, with economy, and with view to
giving peace quiet and protection everywhere. In times
like the present. it impossible and improper to lay down
policyto be adhered to, right or wrong through an
administration of four years New political issues not
oreseen constantly arising and the views of the
public old constantly changing. Purely
administrative affairs should always be LETT to the Execu
The will of the people always have respected and
always shall Peace and universal prosperity its sequen
ces with economy of administration will lighted the
burdens of taxation, while it constantly reduces the
tional debt. Let US have peace.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
u S. GRANT.