Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-01
DEBATE,
On Mr.. Fan Buren's nonltndtton.
RrN,pys OF Ma. PoINDExrER.

reservation in relation 10 my vote on the ques;
,ion now before the Senate. Having nothing to
cain by the rejection of this nomination, and no
thing 10 hope. should it be confirmed, can teel,
Mr. President, no other sOlicitude on the subject,
than that which arises from sense OF the solemn
duty which lowe to my country,and an ardent de-
sire to preserve the honor and dignity OF the Anne
rican people, free from the stain OF that moral tur-
pitude and vicious intrigue, which cover the cor
rupt governments of Europe, with infamy and
disgrace For this purpose. and for no other pur-
pose whatever, either of 4 personal or political
character, | have endeavored to inform myself,
by all the means within my reach, OF the facts
and circumstances touching the merits OF the IN
dividua whose nomination is now under conside-
ration have adopted this course the more rea-
dily, because it was, understand. on previous
day, recommended by honorable Senators, in ia.
vor of the nominee, in preference to full and
formal investigation by committee OF the Senate
which had been proposed by an honorable Sena-
tor from Maine, (Mr. Holmes.) Mr. Van Buren,
has been long in the public eye, has filled high
and important political stations, and the inf1u-
euce of his public conduct may be traced IN eve
~ department Of the government. Whether,
therefore, his previous acts entltle him to the con-
tidence Of the Senate and Of the natiOn is ques
ton which each gentleman must determine tor
himself, aud claim for myself the humble pri-
yilege Is presenting a concise summary OF the
grounds on which hope to justify the vote, which
shall feel bound to give on his nomination.
The evidence to which | shall refer, and which
has operated On my Judgment in this case, is drawn
from the history o! the passing events ct the day.
and the statements OF persons Of high standing
and respec liability, whose integrity and veracity
no one would presume to doubt, when their names
shall be disclosed.
| Sir, it is known to all who have looked into
the political movements of the various parties,
which have cuntended for power, within the last
five or six years, that Mr.. Van Buren, enter
ed the lists as the friend of General Jack
sou, long after the commencement of the admi-
nistratiun of President Adams. Prior to that
event, he had lent MS influence to candidate be-
tween whom and Gen jackson there existed the
mos, deadly hostility. The administration of Mr..
Adams had no charms for Mr.. Van Buren,, and
after due deiberation, and a ''jueticiO as" esti-
mate vi the probable results, he became the all
vocate Of Gen. Jackson for the Presidency, in OPP
position to the incumbent whose prospects for re-
election were overcast with doubt and uncertain
ty, aud from whom he could expect no tavors.
either for himself Or his friends. The capital
which he brought into the stock of political in
huence then operating on the pending preslden-
tial election, was supposed to give him claim
to the highest distinction, in the event of the
cessful termination Of the struggle. According
Iv, he was placed by Gen. Jackson at the head
of his constitutional advisers, preferring him to
other distinguished gentlemen, whose support
was of longer duration, and, to say the least,
equally efficient, and whose talents would bear
an advantageous comparison with the most en-
llishtened statesmen in the world, Thus pro-
NOTED and hattered; welding, as he did, the ex-
ecutive arm Of the nation, permit me to ask what
was the conduct Of Mr.. Van Buren,, then Secre.
tary of the Department of State? Was the honor
and welfare Of the country, or the purity of its
character, objects nearest to his heart? Was his
mind free from the bias Of undisciplined ambi.
ton; or was he exclusively devoted to his own
elevation, regardless of the means. or of the no.
nor 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 nv own personal
knowledge; but if there be truth IN facts which
have been detailed to me by men of the first rank
IN the nation, and which am bound to believe,
until cOntradicted by evidence still more impos-
ing, his whole course was marked by systematic
tissue of dark and studied intrigue, which. in its
consequences, swept into chaos the elements of
that patriotic band who fought the battle, and
gained the splendid victory in 1898. which plac-
ed on the brow of the hero of New Orleans the
civic wreath of his grateful country Describing
all personal considerations, for have neither re.
veuge nor political aspirations to crafty, and if
had, they would not enter these walls. to inHu-
ence my deliberations in matters of national con-
Germ, ask only the lights of truth, to guide me
to decision which shall accord with strict and
impartial justice, and secure 10 ME the sppruba-
ton of an enlightened people, and what is still
more precious, the smiles of an approving con-
science.
II, then, the friends of the nominee deem the
informant on which have received ,and on which,
for the present, must rely. inaccurate or suscep
tibe of satisfactory explanation, invite them, |
urge them, IN justice to their friend, To rescue
him from every shade of suspicion which may be
cast on him. by the appointment of committee,
to be chosen by this honorable body, who shall
be charged with the duty of collecting all the tes
tmony which can be adduced, either for or against
the nominee, and making faithful report of it to
the Senate: and if the result should be such as to
satisfy my mind that the nominee is innocent of