James 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Before leaving the Cumberland Valley, I’ve decided upon two additional individuals from history who impacted our community and the whole of the United States. The subject of my Reflection today has fascinated me for some time, and I have enjoyed researching this notable public figure for today’s writing.
On June 29, 2026, US News and World Report published an analysis of the ten best and ten worst presidents of our time. James Buchanan ranked the absolute worst. I have seen other publications such as this one settle upon the same conclusion, and more recent presidents have not changed Buchanan’s rankings at the very bottom, no matter the source. Buchanan appears stuck at the bottom for time and eternity. Why has this public servant from our neck of the woods garnered so much criticism?
James Buchanan Jr. was born into a humble beginning in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, in 1791. He was the second of eleven children, and the oldest boy. His father moved the family into the town of Mercersburg and prospered in business and farming. James went on to graduate from Dickinson College School of Law and set up a successful law practice in the Lancaster area. The influence of his mother, who at a very young age talked with James about government and civil service, helped to propel Buchanan into life as a public servant. Prior to his presidency, James Buchanan served our state as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the Senate. Buchanan also served as a Minister to Russia, and later to the United Kingdom, and under President James Polk, Buchanan also served as Secretary of State.
What a stellar career! Certainly Buchanan’s wide array of experiences bode well for a successful run for the presidency. Furthermore, Buchanan’s time abroad in the UK had insulated him somewhat from the burning issue of slavery back in the U.S. He’d kept his views on this subject private, which made him an acceptable presidential candidate for those on both sides of the issue. By the time James Buchanan became President, our country was simmering on the verge of war. While Buchanan was not an outright supporter of slavery, he was a fervent believer in states rights and did not wish to see the matter of slavery settled at the federal level. Two days after Buchanan’s inaugural address, the Supreme Court handed down the Dred Scott Decision, which ruled that “African Americans were not citizens and had no standing to sue for freedom.”
( https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/james-buchanan)
That ruling at the beginning of his presidency set the tone. The boxing gloves were on, and the issue of slavery pervaded Buchanan’s entire time in office.
His standing at the bottom of the Presidential rankings list holds to this day. Simply put, Buchanan’s reluctance to take a firm stand against slavery, and his support of new territories to self-determine their stance on this issue, doomed Buchanan’s presidency. He was seen as playing to both sides and was viewed as an ineffective leader as a result. If Buchanan had become president at another time in history, his leadership might be viewed differently. Post-presidency, he spent the remaining years of his life defending his record, but to no avail.
Our focus verse this week reminds us that our lives are but a mist. While our legacy may not be remembered in history books as Buchanan’s has been – our actions, words, and deeds do leave an imprint. We all leave a legacy. Dear Lord, may whatever imprint I leave in this world be propelled by love and by the living example of your Son.
Blessings to all!
Diana
Resources:
The White House Historical Association – James Buchanan
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/james-buchanan
PBS –
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/presidents-buchanan/
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Buchanan
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