Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-10

the several powers OF Europe. would be able render
sentia aid ministers that CONTINENT that he
might in various other ways, promote the public interest
during his residence at London Mr. Van Buren, felt the
whole force of these considerations, aud he was more
over very willing withdraw for the usual period of
foreign mission, from the turmoil Of party He therefore
readily complied with the wishes OF the President by ac-
cepung the appointment-though OF his political
and personal friends exceedingly averse to it,
on the ground that his absence from the country would
materially impair his political prospects at home
This being the principal motive OF their objections lac did
not think them sufficiently important 10 deter him nom Ell.
gagng In service, which promised, II successful be
not less useful TO his country than honorable To himself
lie landed in England in September, 1881 and was soon
after received with distinguished favor His an
pontment, however, remained TO be confirmed by the
Senate. twas submitted to that body in December fol-
owing and AFTER various poSponemens finally mega.
uved, by the casting vote OF the Vice President the
10Th oil January 1882 In consequence OF this event Mr.
Van Buren, immediately recelcd, and has recently
landed on his natal soil OF the assigned Tor his re-
lection cannot in this place, he necessary speak,
farther than TO remark that it any reliance be placed
on repeated and spontaneous expressions OF the public
voice-and IN matters OF this sort the people
then those utterly insufficient The popular
feeling excited by the conduct of the senate has been
further exemped i'm his recent nomination for the Vice
Presidcncyan event, which, when he left the country
he neither looked for desired The Heterogeneous i-
teress which combined to accomplish his 6eica, in
the Senate, again united in opposing his elections but
as the question now at ISSUE TO be decided by the yco
many OF the country, have no fears the result
We presenteda rapid sketch of the profession
al aud public life Of Martin Van Dureu Ii illustrates in
manner the most impressive, OF the happiest pnc.
plies OF our excellent frame Of government-s tendency
draw and foster talent and and secure TO
them in spite OF every thing by which their progress may
be peded the honors they deserve. We have seen that
he owed nothing to birth ranccstry-nohing property
or patronage. And though like others of public men,
hc greatly indebted 10 the press of his party for
occasional vdcaons OF his character and conduct, he
was not like some OF them helped along in his career by
asysema'ic cose OF newspaper panegyric On the other
hand, he encountered from opposing prints unusual
degree OF obloquy and reproach At early age, they
selected him as subject of perpetual aud virucnt abuse
nearly twenty years, this abuse
to degree rarely palaeed and surpassed in the
history politics. The disparagement of his abilities
and indeed the denial that he possessed any just claim
talents OF sort, OF the common perhaps
the most provoking OF these ibels The sander was re.
uted by the daily exhibition OF great parts; and magn
itself was obliged to admit that he was always found AIDE.
quate to the particular duty with which he had been chag
ed; but this acknowledgement uniformly followed by
the prediction that he had reached the extremcsi verge
which destiny had assigned him; and that his next step
would plunge hin, beyond his depth, in of go-
ry but III crude stream, that should sweep away the
past, and overwhem him for the future. The story his
advancement-at once the most regular and rapid with
which acquantcd-is the best commentary ON
didti6eS of this have his sphere OF action
constantly enlaIsiDg-om his native village the county
capital, from that TO the metropolis of the State and from
the latter 10 the councils Of the Unon-bu have found
him equal and more than equal every emergency
yer falling short OF his prior reputation, and disap
pointing the hopes OF his friends; the contrary, each
successive step IN his career whilst has alsied the pre-
dictons OF his enemies has furnished proofs of his ca
pacity and claims the respect and confidence Of
In person, Mr. Van Buren, neither above nor belau
the middle height; his figure is aud graceuliiis
frame slender and apparently delicate, but capable of sus
tanning severe and long continued exeron-thc general
expression OF his features animated and agreeabe-hs eve
quick and piercinghis head, (Which is now quite bald
particularly his forehead, OF unusual size, and admirable
formation The engraving by Hatch, which accompanies
the memoir in tho CABINET, from the fine portrait, rnt.
~ painted by inman Tor the corporation Of New York, is
spirited and accurate likeness.
The private character of Mr.. Van Buren, may be COM
mended without reserve Enmy itself has rarely even
venured to repOach suspect it, In his intercourse
evnIa
his conduct, render him model for imitation; whilst the
and trankness of his mannersnnd his happy talent
Tor conversation, make him the of the social
circle Blessed with disposition FIRM auiable
and orbearing; and uniting with just scfrespect habi-
tudl seconO he has been abeamid the perple xities
oil litigation, the cares OF Office, and the contentious of par
-to preserve the serenity Of his temper and TO blend
with Vgant attention to his character and rights
constant observance OF the cOurteses of life and sedos
regard to the feelings OF others. No numbered
among his personal friends oportion bis po
cal opponents. Even in times of the greatest xcement
those of them who enjoyed his acquaintance always ac
corded hm Their resPect-usualy their confidence es-
TEEN.
II obvious that with such qualities and manners he
could hardly fail to the affections of his political as
sociates Such has accordingly been the case in every
stage OF his progress; and 10 this combined with his
admirable knowledge OF men, and his practical good sense
that he is Indebted for his political leader
To this also must be ascnbed the charge of intrigue and
aruhce, which has so often been preferred against him.
by this be intended that lie possesses an eminent
degree the talent OF harmonzng and direct
ing the feelings exerions of those with whom he cts
and that he has often exered this talent with sagacy
and efect-hiS friends must plead guilty the charge
IL would be as idle 10 deny in respect TO him, 10 Ha-
milton or Jefferson TO Chatham Fox. But if by the
charge be Intended the pursuit of those objects which are
held up by free institutions the incentive and the
reward OF honorable amboD by trick, du picy or cum
mng-we may Indignantly Iepel it, as alike unsupported
by evidence and untounded in fact No man who was
ever brought i'll contact with hin-who was able to speak
TO the point from personal knowledge of his conductevcr
ventured to give such accusation the sanction of his
name. On the contrary, all such persons will acknow.
edge-they must acknowledge if they speak the truth
that his course as politician, though decided and
unyelding, was always OpeD liberal and honest
This has been admitted by several OF his opponents I'M
der circumstances peculiarly calculated give and
solcnny TO their statements single instance will il
usrate this remark The most violent warfare i'm which
he was ever engaged, that with Governor Clinton
and with his leading supporters Chief Justice Spencer
and the late William w Van Ness two of the ablest men
No York ever produced Indeed with the latter of these
Sehueine", he had waged from his first
cohheXloh WIN political affairs The character of these
contests, the CONSEQUENCES that resulted from them and
their tendency TO excite the most mpacable hosttv arc
well known TO all who familiar Nth the history of
New York They may also be guessed at by others when
we inform them that in the of those connet, M
Of them, Governor Clinton was twice driven into
reirenen;-Chiet Justice Spencer removed from Office
anu Tor some Time Kept from public employment--Judge
Van Ness compelled to retire from the bench, and Mr.
Van Buren, twice removed from Office wears pro-
scnoed and pursued with unreenng severity But each
OF these great men has borne testimony TO the beraity
fairness and honor with which he had been treated by
Mr. Van Buren,, and TO the general uprghtness of his
conduct as man and politician Judge Van Ness did il
ON his death beds Governor Clinton almost i'm the last
moments OF his life; and TO Chief Justice Spencer
with characteristic irankness he often did it, even i'm the
midst OF Our most violent collisions.
On this point, the friends of Mr. Van Buren, NAV also
iriunphany appeal to the whole mercan people With
IN the last two he has been araigned before them