Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-02-16
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
On Ma. VAN BuREx's NOMINATION..
REMARKS OF MIR. poTNDExTER.

casioped BY indisposItion, bad, as ne was in
formed, been the cause OF some delay in the
final action OF the Senate, on this nomina-
( ton.
1 Tie regretted the circumstance, and even
now that he was enabled TO resume the dis
charge Of his duties, he could but i'll requite
| the indulgence of the Senate, in postponing
the question on his account, by any effort OF
bis, to investigate the claims OF the nominee
to public confidence, iuasmuch as the delicate
state of his health would not permit him to
enter at large into the various interesting to.
pics which had been advefted to in the re
marks of the honorable Senators who had
preceded him in the debate.
Sir, said Mr.. Polndexter, have risen to
perform an unpleasant, but an imperative du.
ty, from which cannot withdraw without
| suhjectIng my motives 10 misc0nception, or
misrepresentation, in relation to my vote on
the question now before the Senate Having
nothing 10 gain by the rejection oil this NOM
nation. and nothing to hope, should 1t be
csnfirmed, | can feel, MIR President, no ether
| socItude on the subject, than that which a
rises from sense Of the solemn duty which
| owe to NY country, and an ardent desire 10
preserve the honour and dignity OF the Anne
rican people, free FROM the stain OF tina, mo-
raj turpitude and vicious intrigue, which co
yer the corrupt government oil Europe with
| nfamy and disgrace.
| For this purpose, and for no other purpose
| whatever, either of personal or political
| character, 1 have endcayo1red 10 inform my
self, by all the means within my reach, of the
facts aud circumstances touching the merits
of the individual whose nomination as now
| under consideration. | have adopted this
course the more readily. because It was, /
! understand, on a previous day, recommend
| ed by honorable Senators, IN favor oi The
nomlnee, IN preference 10 full and formal
| Investigation by committee OF the Senate,
"alch had been proposed by an honorable
Senator from Maine, MIR Holmes) Mr.. Van
Buren, has been long in the public eye. has
| hiied high and important political stations,
and the influence Of his public conduct may
be traced IN every department oil the govern
| inent. Whether, therefore, ms previous acts
! entitle him to the confidence OF the Senate
| aud OF the nation, is a question which each
| gentleman must determine for himself, and
claim for myself the humble privilege ofpre
seuting concise summary Of the grounds,
on which hope to justify the vote, which
shalt feel bound to give on his nomination.
| The evidence to which | shall refer, anu
winch has operated on my judgment IN TINS
| case, is drawn from the history oil The pass
ing events Of the day, aud tine statements OF
persons of high standing aud respectahIlity,
whose integrity and veraciiy no one would
J presume 10 doubt, when their names shall
| be disclosed
| Sir, it IS known to all who have looked in
| to the political movements oil tue various
parties, which have consended for power,
within the last five or six years, that MIR. Van
Buren, entered the lists as The friend OF Gen.
1 jackson, long after the commencement oil
the administration Of President Adams
| Prior to that event, he had lent his influence
TO candidate between whom and Gen, Jack
son, there existed the most deadly hostility.
The administration of MIR. Adams had no
charms for MIR. Van Buren,, and alter due
deiiberatioD, and 'jidtcs0us' estimate OF
the probable results, he became the advocate
Of Gen. jackson for the Presidency, In oppo
| sition 10 the incumbent whose prospects LOT
re. election we're overcast with doub: ana IN
! certainty, and from whom he could expect
no favors, either for himself or his friends
The capital which he had brought INTO the
stock OF political influence then operating on
the Presidential election, was supposed to
give him CLAIM to the highest distinction,
IN the event of the successful termination OF
the struggle. Accordingly, he was places
by Gen jackson at the head oil his coiistitu
tional advisers preierrinE him to other dis
tinguisbed gentlemen, whose support was Oh
longer duration, and, TO say the least, equal
| w efficient, and whose talents would bear an
advantageous comparison with the most en-
| llghtened statesmen OF the world
| Thus promoted and fattered. welding, as
| he did, the Executive arm OF the nation, per
nit me to ask what was the conduct OF Mr.
| Van Buren,, then Secretary to the Depart
ment of StateP Was the honor and welfare
OF the country, or the purity OF ITS charac,
ter, objects nearest TO his heart? Was has
mind free from the bias of undlscipllned am
bition: or was he exclusively devoted TO his
| own elevation, regardless Of the means, or
Of the honor of his venerable chief, and of
the integrity of the party which brought HIM
INTO power. cannot answer these grave
questions by any thing which falls within the
scope of my own personal knowledge; but II
there be truth 10 facts which have been de
tailed to me by men of the first rank IN the
nation, and which am bound to believe, aa
iii contradicted by evidence still more am
posing, bis whole course was marked by a
| systematic tissue Of dark studied intrigue
| which, in its consequences, swept into chaos
the elements of that patriotic band WAC
Ought the battle, and gained the splendid
victory in 1928, which placed on the bro"
Of the hero Of New Orleans the civic wreath
of this greatfui country Discardins all per
sonal considerations, for have neither re
| venge nor political aspirations to crafty, and
if had, they would net enter these walls,
| 10 influence my deliberations 10 matters OF