West-Jersey pioneer., 1868-06-05
Death of James Buchanan, Ex-presi-
dent of the United States.

James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the
United States, died at his residence in Lancas-
ter, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning of this
week, after four weeks illness, in the 77th
year of bis age.
This distinguished man, whose obituary we
are recording, was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, April 22d, 1791. His father
emgrated from Ireland, but married Penn
sylvania lady, and before he died, by frugality
and economy had acquired competence, a
part OF which was used in giving to James the
benefits of classical education at Dickinson
College, where he graduated with high honors.
He chose the practice of law, and when only
twenty-five years of age, defended with dis
tinguished success, judge who was being
tried on articles of impeachment. So success
full was he at the bar, that at the age Of forty
he found himself able to retire from practice,
which he never resumed except in one single
instance, in which he defended the case of a
poor widow, whose little estate was being un-
justly jeopardized. At the age of twenty
three he entered public life as a member of
the Pennsylvania Legislature, and ever after
ia some form or other, labored in public life
until his retirement from the presidency in
1861. In the war of 1872 he eviuced the most
ardent patriotism, enlstIng as a private
soldier in company that was raised for the
protection of Baltimore.
He was soon after elected to Congress, and
chose the Democratic side of politics; a class
of views which he held with unchanging firm
ness till his death. He not only served in
the councils of the nation at home, but was
Its honored representative at the courts Of the
most powerful nations abroad, having filled
the posts of minister plenipotentiary both at
Petersburg and London. Mr.. Buchanan
gradually rose in favor with his party, both
as man of undoubted ability, and purity OF
private life, until be became their candi-
date for the presidency, to which he was
elected over John G. Fremont. He had been
educated In connexion with students from
the Southern States, and no doubt had been
partially lmbued with the doctrine of State
rights, and his cabinet, who were composed
OF the tried friends of many years, held those
views most fully. In the strife which devel-
oped into our civil war, those trusted friends
of bis were most actively engaged, and nc
doubt abused his confidence to the further.
ance of the object they had in view. Their
treachery was not apparent to him until the
power OF secession sentiment had reached an
altitude that appalled, him. His mind was
not clear as to the right to employ force in
order to retain the dsaffected States. He was
ola and shrank from conflict, and in sorrow
ne tacltly consented to the dissolution of the
Union. There is nothing in all the history
OF the times to show that Mr.. Buchanan was
any degree criminal, but all the facts show
that, while to use his own words, che meant
well for his country" still he was too aged 9
man to~stem the torrent he had unwttingly
allowed to reach such fearful proportions
No man in our nation has probably ever beer
the recipient of stronger condemnation, botf
from friends and foes, and yet, when his life
is all reviewed, it is clear that his errors were
| nff fh.1h IL
a man of unblemsbed character, of the mos
thorough gentlemanliness of demeanor, o
generous instincts, and unflinching devotion
to his party.
He is part of the nations history, and tha
history in the future, while it cannot canoe
his faults, will yet record his name as one o
the most distinguished men who shaped th
most eventtul times known by the natiol
since the Revolution.