Year: 1859

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES BU-
81 " CHANAN 5a


Time, the true developer of men and things,
is now manifesting to the enlightened public
mind of this country and of the world the wis
dom of the people in placing in the executive
chair the experienced and sagacious statesman
who now occupies it.


We propose to show, by indisputable facts,
and by acts accomplished, that in all the de-
partments of the Government-State, Treasury,
War, Navy, and Interior, and Attorney Gener-
ais Ofice--unusual vigor, energy, and effect
have been exhibited in their control and work
ing under the present Administration.


Much of what has been accomplished in these
respects in the various departments is undoubt-
edly due to the zeal and ability of their respec-
tive chiefs. Yet whilst according to them alt
due merit for proper performance of duty, the
pen of the historian couples indissolubly the
success or failure of any branch of the Govern
ment with the name of the Chief Magistrate


There is no such thing known in this country,
either IN theory or in practice, resting the
failure or success of an Administration upon a
Prime Minister and his cabinet, as is the case
in England. Hence the narrator of events can
not here, there, draw distinction between
the merits of the person occupying the position
of the Executive and the dement's of an erro-
neous or badly-executed administrative policy.
Therefore, we repeat, that whilst James Bu-
chanan will be held responsible for any fail
ures that may occur whilst he is in power, on
the other hand he will be entitled to, and will
receive, the honors and rewards which an
intelligent and grateful people bestow on sue
eessful public men while living, and the rev.
erence with which their memories are cherish
ed when dead.





The ftrue, manly, straightforward way Of
meeting all difficult questions, foreign and do
mestie, which have arisen since, or were on
hand p the day of Mr.. Buchanan's inaugura-
tion, han resulted in the peaceful settlement of
affairs which, with less wise head or less
firm hand, might have been decided by the ar
bitrament of the sword.


The settlement of the long-vexed and i'm
portant question of the right of search; the
display of the power of the United Sites to
the South American governments in thu sue
cessful management OF the Paraguay exPedi-
ton, resulting in the peaceful opening of those
immense regions, hitherto sealed almost to the
rest of the world, to commerce, and the civili-
zation and enlightenment which always accom-
panies it; and the completion of treaties with
China and Japan, constitute of themselves
great events to be effected in the short time Mr.
Buchanan has held the presidency. He has
not only extended the power and influence of
the country abroad by opening new and extcn-
sive fields for the comm ercial enterprise Of our
people, but at home, by firm and temperate
measures and wise policy, he has established
peace where anarchy reigned, and where
blind fanaticism hoped the struggle wauld not
end until the horrors of civil war would
light up the cottages Of her settlers, and the
beautiful plains of Kansas be dyed with the
blood Of those who should live, as they now do,
as friends and brethren. Another matter
which, like an ugly ulcer, was entering steadily
into tie body polite, and for which others had
in vain sought for remedy to heal, received
his attention, and, if not yet entirely cured, it
has received such check as to take from it
the power to do present mischief The rebell-
ion, as it may be properly termed, of the delu-
ded Mormons, has certainly been effectually
quelled-so far at least as to convince them
that in their desert-home they are not beyond
the limits of the United States or out of reach
of its power Their vainglorious boastings as
to their impregnability in their mountain fast
ness against any force the Government could
send agaicst them became mere bombast when
the strong arm of the President was raised
against them. That such course was not
sooner taken in regard to them was cause of re-
gret to every moralist aud true Christian of all
denominations in the land and they according
ly one and all freely award to Mr.. Buchanan
the gratitude and thanks to which his prompt
and fearless action in the matter so Justly en-
titles him. Any one not acquainted with the
danger of countenancing or even tolerating
such fanatics and impostors had better read
"Irving's Life of Mahomet and his Success
ors," and the absurdity of comforting or allow
ing such a man as Brigham Young to exercise
political power and hold Office under the Gov
ernment must be apparent.


The efficiency of the army and navy has
never been greater than since Mr. Buchanan's
accession. The latter especially is at this time
in all respects as to the number and quality of
its vessels ahoat larger and better than it ever
has been before, and in all parts of the world
its flag is constantly displayed for the protec-
ton of the persons and property of our citi-
zens.


Mr. Buchanan habits are we'll known. He
is and always has been a practical business
man. To his extraordinary capacity, united to
perfect system, order, and regularity, and un-
firing application and industry, is he indebted
for his extraordinary success in professional
and political life.


What an example does his career exhibit for
the encouragement of the young man starting
in life! Let him exert himself firmly and per-
acquiring those fixed habits of regu-
larity and industry and system in his business
affairs in early life and as years roll on he will
find his ability to despatch business with con-
stantly increasing promptness.


Thus it is with President Buchanan in his
Management Of public afairs-he devotes him
self to it with the head and hand of a master.


Whatever the subject may be that is under
his investigation it is never dismissed without
q thorough examination. There is nothing
superficial in the character, history, or antece-
dents of the President, and of the immense
amount and variety of questions constantly pre-
sented to his consideration, all receive full at
tention and prompt decision.


1t is not, therefore, to be wondered at that |
he President, being practical man himself, |
md probably performing himself as much work
every twenty-four hours as any man in the
United States, in or out of Office, should have
selected for his cabinet men of similar char
lcter-and in this respect he has been emf
,ently successful Each and all of the distn-
,uished gentlemen who fill these high posi-