FAMOUS AMERICAN PAST AND PRESENT WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -AND- THEIR FAMOUS ORATIONS IN SIX VOLUMES VOLUME IV ALEXANDER K. MCCLURE, LL.D. EDITOR Author of "Lincoln and Men of War Times," "Our Presidents BYRON ANDREWS of the "National Tribune," Washington, D. C. Author of "The Eastern Question," "The Life of Logan." "One of 1 Buchanan, James, an American statesman, sixteenth President of the United States, born at Franklin Co., Pa., April 23, 1791; died at Lancaster, Pa., June 1, 1868. Having taken up the profession of law he began practice at Lancaster, Pa., and soon prospered. He was a firm Federalist at the outset of his career, and entered the State Legislature as such in 1814. He was again elected the next year, and in 1820 was sent to Congress, remaining in the House of Representatives five terms. In 1832 he went as minister to Russia, and on his return entered the National Senate, becoming Secretary of State under Polk. In 1853 he was appointed minister to England, and returning in 1856 was elected President as the Democratic candidate. After the expiration of his term of office he lived in retirement. Buchanan was a dignified, polished speaker, with much courtliness of address. INAUGURAL ADDRESS. Fellow-Citizens: I APPEAR before you this day to take the solemn oath "that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." In entering upon this great office I must humbly invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom and firmness to execute its high and responsible duties in such a manner as to restore harmony and ancient friendship among the people of the several States, and to preserve our free institutions throughout many generations. Convinced that I owe my election to the inherent love for the Constitution and the Union which I |