Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-10
f'spEE1e ".
EIS'EgC.
BIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN buren,.


In the interval between that appointment, and the ne x
congress, convention held amend the constitution
OF the state Mr. Van Buren, who had warmly
this measure, especially with view 10 the extension oil
the right OF suffrage, unexpectedly returned to it,
though resident OF Albany, by the republican electors
Otsego, member from that county.
Many venerable and disting ui.hed men, together with
most OF the active talent OF the state, found this
convention. Il is therefore, high compimeut-thougi
1t be Only simple tuho say, that in all tire debera
oi this enlightened assembly, Mr.. Van Buren,, first
was certainly of the foremost His speeches on the
various questions submitted the convention publish
cd in the report of its proceedings and among the
abcst in the volume They particularly worthy note
for the clear aud comprehe in which the
discuss tue great principles OF government and for their
soundness moderation and usceBut il is the mere
display OF talent or wisdom, that illustrates this portion
OF Mr.. Van Buren's history His conduct in the con-
vention is entitled to other, and we ,oub, not pos
terity vii, deem higher praisethe praise which be-
longs to independence magnanin,y and virtue. He
the Acknowledged leader OF triumphant majority; he
was compelled before the termination of the session. c-
ther to assent TO of proceeding in relation TO the
Judiciary establishments, which he deemed uncailed-
ana improper or to separate from Of the Oldest
and most valued of his friends He chose, without hest
taon or misgving the latter alternative, and placed
as he ioresaw would be the consequence, the ranks
the minority His conduct, this OCCASION evil
IDENTITY the result OF principle, that those OF his party who
differed from him opinion, honored him the more for
his firmneSS and ntegry-he separation it Produced
was therefore confined TO the questions which occioned
He took his in the Senate of the United States in
December, 1921. In 1927 he reelected the same
ceedngs OF the Senate, would be to copy the journals of
that body for the years during which he was
nem6er Before the end os the first session. he had
tablished, in an assembly containing such Rufus
King and William Pinckney, reputation of the highest
grade, which successfully maintained in after years
IL mas often been demonstrated, that the
mark of Mr.. Burke, 'tha lawyers home in le
gsative assemblies has no application to the American
bar. OF this Mr. Van Buren, furnishes new and signa
proof In the Senate of New York. he showed himself an
able and sagacious LEGISLATOR the Senate of the United
States his sphere OF action not only greatly extended
The SDi
complicated; yet here, also he displayed reach com
prehension of intellect and degree of practical wisdom
and enlightened forecast which entitle him the app la-
ton and the honorS OF statesman As ready and
fu debaer, hc had superior. Several of his speeches
particularly those in favor oil the bill abosing mprison-
men Tor debt and in support Of the law making provision
Tor the officers aud soldiers OF the revolution have been
ranked among the finest specimens of eoquence ever
heard IN the Senate. Those the Panama mission,
the organization of the judiciary Oh the tight OF the
President 10 control the freedom of debate were con-
spcuOus for luminous discussion and for sound views of
constitutional policy Reports of some of them been
Published but "though the massive trunk of sentiment
remains, the blossoIns of eocuou i'm each case AMI
the fruits OF genius most Of them shave dropped away
This must be said of every attempt to perpetuate his
speeches. whether at the bar in the Senate. His utter
ance rapid, that short hand writer can follow him
with accuracy and he has rarely submitted tho
drdgery oil writing out speech. Nor indeed is he ca
pable by any after labor, Of doing justice his e
ios Tor his brilliant passages entirely extempora
ncou that they can neither be repeated by others nor re-
called by himself
The course pursued by Mr.. Van Buren, as a senator
both III respect to the foreign policy OF the nation aud
our domestic concerns, in perfect harmony with the
doctrines he had previously maintained One of his first
efforts revive the distinctive principles of the party
III which he had been Bred and from which, as he sup
posed, Mr. Monrocs administration, especially during lis
second term, had considerably swcrved Although the
eXerios made by him effect this end were not very
successful they attracted general attention, and were de-
cilcdly approved by the democracy of the union.
lie also took leading part in the Presidential election
OF 1871 and the canvass which preceded it, Believing
Che election OF MIR. Crawford more likely, that period
to bring back the government 10 the Jeersonian policy
than that of any OF his competitors, he gave to la gen
tleman his vigorous support His perseverance, under
the most adverse circumstances, in the support that up
right and prosecuted cZen is well known as is also the
overwhelming defeat, both in his state, and in the
Union, which terminated the contest.
inha catastrophe, his Ignorant or lurgetfu
oil the recuperave power OF talents and ntegy-yainly
imagined, they the downfall r not the end of his in.
uence and success but before another yea had eapscJ
ne oceuPed fos!noh more elevated than ever The
first step towards that position, the determination
10 take part in the decision by the House Represent
atfyesa resolution adopted by the friends OF MIR Craw-
ford with the double motive of retaining their usefulness
after the contest should be decided and Of preserving
themselves from the charge OF coaescng with their oppo-
nents. After the election, Mr. Van Buren, advised his
friends at home TO abstain from all OF hostility towards
Mr.. Adams to give him a fair trial and TO Judge of his
administration by MS acts His the Senate was
governed by the same principles; and il until the
great question OF the Panama mission that he found occa
sion to depart from IT. Ills opposition to that measured the
interesting considerations with il; and the iud.
mcnt which the people have pronounced on the conduct
OF those who supported and those opposed it, are well
known 1t was after taxing this stand, which drew
upon him the marked hostility of Mr. Adaus's Cabinet
aud the open dehuncatoD OF their supporters that he was
reelected to the Senate by the legislature of New York
His connection with the great contest of 1928, his eff
Tho following from speech upon one
OF the above referred will only illustrate this
his public conduct bu give idea of his dobatc
Iho matter therefore b0ug clear that the Of
smenduont would 10 present incum.
bents, tho Judges Of the Supreme Court
vention whether would be either He
nitted It, he said particularly that portion the Convention,
who would be hold responsible for it, dongand who would
hucd poinl OF Wow BE- the chief sufferers 10y failure of the ati
Of Their proceedings By the people. o warned
seriously this Interesting lie directed
attention To te ncyorendng ieuds ad bitter controversies which
would inevitably loss of the amendments adopted by
the Connections lie knew we'll, lac said, how placed in
tG!g AuiOncaly discussions and sometimes pressed by
lead them which their Judgments
II was their duty superior all feelings asked them
and then him, Whether when they
home, bad heard the least nimaon
uonts amending the constitution general prn-
cples, they descend TO pulling down obnoxious officers
through the medium Of the Convention; aud Ae asked them whether
they sensible Of the danger Of surprising the public
this advanced Of e session. when
already prevailed by unexpected There he said
uccossity this They had al
fcady gw1 wide open the Of approach unworthy
bon They hu altered the upcachug from wothird
should Zoe removable BY the thirds bauch
abarG majority tho other The judicial who
ought be touched There
therefore public for 8 measure; not
~ adopt NJ Certainly MOI from personal feelings II per
could ought influence against indviiun
Judge w. w. Van Ness Mr. Van Buren, supposed that b.,
above Oh others would DC excused for INDUCING them lie
with truth say o had through biz whole ho been
i9t qu1e with holiy, POLITICAL professional and