Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-06-06
The Death Of Ex-President Buchanan.


The Death Of Ex-President Buchanan.
The telegraph yesterday, says the Ma
tional Intelli pencer of Tuesday, brought
the intelligence of the death of James
buchanan, ex.President OF the United
States, a, his residence, in Lancaster,
Pennsylvanis, Mr.. Buchanan has filled
large page in American history. He
had attained ripe old age. being in his
seventy eighth year at the time OF his
death. He was the fifteenth President of
the United States. He was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April %,
1891. Educated at Dickinson College,
graduating in 1909. and having studied
law with James Hopkins. of Lancaster,
he came to the bar in 1912.
Mr.. Buchsnan entered political life at the
age of twenty three, as a member Of the
Pennsylvania Legislature. In 1920 he
was elected 10 the House Of Representa-.
lives, and remained in Congress by con-
secutive elections for ten years. Upon
the election Of John Quincy Adams, Mr..
Buchanan became Jealous supporter Of
General Jackson, and was subsequently,
made chairman Of the House Judiciary
Committee, and was one Of the FIVE mana
gers selected 10 conduc. the prosecution
Judge Peck upon his impeachment
In 1891 Mr.. Buchanan was appointed
by President Jackson Envoy Extrsordl-
nary and Minister PIenipoenliary 10 Rus
STA, and in 1899 was elected United
States Senator from Pennsylvania, where
he aided in passing the expungng reso-
lutions introduced by Thomas II. Ben ION
10 vindicate the character Of their favorile,
Andrew Jackson.
Upon the advent of Mr.. Polk TO the
Presidency, in ls45, Mr.. Buchanan was
made Secretary of State: and in 1853 was
appointed, by President Pierce, Minister
TO England In 1856 he was nominated
a, Cincinnati as the Democratic candidate
for the Presidency. which office he filled
a, the commencement Of our domestic
troubles.
Few men of the nation have filled SO
large space in our national history. In.
timately and officially connected with all
OF the great questions which have entered
into American politics since the war OF
1912. Mr.. Buchanan lived respected even
by his political opponents. until the last
DAYS OF his administration as President.
1t is alleged by some that if he had pos
ssssed the frmness to follow the counsel
OF General Cass, the subsequent. Difficult
ties might have been avoided; but even
on this, If it was an error, we care not
now to comment,
His long and eminent services in pub
lie station had won for him reputation
that will place his nams among the most
distinguished Of the public men Of Amer
ics. He vas a man Of unqueslioned a
bility. and whatever may have been his
faults or srrors, it is not becoming now 10
pursue them into the grave.
The papers Of all parties. with few ex-
cepiions, paw appropriate tributes TO the
memory and services of the late ex-Presi'
dent Buchanan. In New York flags
were placed al halG-mast on The announce
nent Of his death. The Philadelphia
Ledger, in giving al interesting sketch oil
his life, remarks:
In his manners. Mr.. Buchanan was a
cour,ly and polished gentleman OF the
old school of American statesmen. Be-
sides his Acquaintance with the ancient
classics, he read and spoke several mod
ern languages. He was an expert IN the
laws OF nations. He was not only an
able debaler, bot clear and torcIble VIII
Ter, infatuated by long practice to COM
uniting his thoughts and views to paper
with great ease and rspidliy. He was
regular and methodicsl in all his habits,
rising al six O'Clock in the morning. and
having every part Of the day regularly al
lotted to It's particular work, duty or leis-
ure, until his hour for retiring, which was
invariably ten o'clock. In his home life
at Whealsnd bis manners were kind and
genial. and his habits essentially domes
tic, although thoroughly hospiable. He
made it practice 10 visit all his neigh
bors of every station Of life 10 the sur
rounding country in his regular evening
walks, chatting with them about ihei
home affairs, and was personally muct
beloved by them all. And last, ,hougf
most important TO him now. 1t is due Il
his memory to say, tina, under all TIT
craft Of statesmen there was vein OF re-
Iigious devotion in his private life, con
cealed from all but those who knew hin
well. or who lived in his house, and thi
NAV stand him il stead, now that he ha
passed away from the slrifes as well a
the honors OF this world.
The last words of the venerable ex
Pre- ident were: God bless my coun
uy!" and they were repeated by him sew
ersl times in a whisper. One OF his la
tes, requests was that ex-Pfesldent
Pierce and Fillmore and President John
son be invited TO attend his funeral.