Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-07-06

interesting crisis of our public affairs, we
have chosen one, who has been known
to you through all the vicissitudes Of an
evenaul and distinguished political ca
reer, and whose eminent virtues as q
man, and abilities as statesman, have
been conspicuously exemplified in life
chiefly devoted to your service.
he is contrasted on the present occa-
sion with an individual, whose claims
to your confidence, rest either on an in.
discriminate hostility to, or an equivocal
support of, every principle and interest
which has been Justly held dear by yir-
ginians.
You are required at this critical juno
ture of our country's affairs, to do hon.
age to the man, while you denounce his
measures TO elect to the second office
of our government, political enemy,
who still bears the arms of hostility in
his hands, and wears the laurels, fresh on
his brow. which were won by his inve-
terate and relentless opposition to your
rights, your interests, and your princi-
piles.
We would ask you to pause, ere you
commit yourselves and your country into
such hands, and to scrutinize the politi-
cal character of him, for whose aggran-
dizement alone, you are required to sacri-
! flee so much.
Mr.. Van Buren, has advanced to that
age, and has filled those stations in pub
lie life, which generally stamp the po-
| lltical characters of men unalterably,
either for good or evil. He may there
fore be fairly judged by his political acts
and fairly condemned.
Atan early period of his public career,
we find him pursuing a course OF syste-
matte and indiscriminate hostility to the
favorite measures and men of Virginia.
During the last war, when all the ener-
gies OF our government were scarcely e.
quail to the shock of external force, and
the intrigues Of domestic faction when
every patriot was posted in the tent
ed field, or anxiously celebrating for
his country's safety-Mr. Van Buren,
was found in the ranks of an insidious
opposition to MIR. Madisons administra-
ton, of which that war was the leading
measure. This opposition was carried
to extremes by some of the prominent
politicians OF New York and New Eng
land. The memory of the Blue Lights
and the Hartford Convention, would en-
dnre forever as an abiding stigma on our
national character, were it not etfaced by
the glorious victories which our armies
and navies achieved, despite the insidi-
Gus treachery Of some ofour politicians.
In November, 1912, ticket of Presi-
Dental electors was formed by the Leg
islature of New York (of which Mr..
Van Buren, was then a member) with
the avowed purpose of defeating Mr..
Madison's reelection and the war;
This statesman, who is now held up as
the mirror ofrepublican orthodoxy, vot-
ed throughout for that ticket.
In 1920, the celebrated Missouri question
was deliberated conceived and concocted by
some of the leading politicians of New York
and the legislature of that State instructed
Rufus King as their Senator TO insist on the
terms of admission, which he subsequently,
proposed. MIR. Van Buren, was then a
member of the Senate of that State, concur
red in this course, and voted for Mr.. King
under these Instructions.
In 1922, we found Mr. Van Buren, in
the Senate OF the United States His de-
but in that body was signalzed by his sup
port of bill, which proposed TO erect toll
gates on the Cumberland road, to collect
tolls, &c. within the jurisdiction of the
States, and TO appropriate the sum of $4,000
( to the repair OF this work of national inn
provement. This bill did not become law,
because it was arrested by the veto OF Mr..
Monroe, on the ground that it was uDconsti-
tutional. Actuated by the same principles
we have seen MIR. Van Buren, more recent
ly as member of General Jackson's cabi-
net, declaring TO members Of Congress, that
sit was impossible for the President TO veto
the Maysy:lle road bill because the principle
IN some way or other had been sanctioned by
every administration since the commence
ment OF the goYernmenr"-and because "it
might lose the votes Of several States 10 the
Administration. 1t has been said. ION
good authority that Mr. Van Buren, finally
approved this act OF The President, and pro-
iessed his concurrence in the principle of the
Veto Message. If this be so, we submit TO
candid public, to Judge ,Uhen and ,ohy he
changed his opinion, as facts shall warrant.
In 1927, when the protective or "Ameri-
can System" Gas ii has been falsely termed)
had been already carried to the extreme oil
prohibition as TO many articles of prime ne
| cessity, and when that course of systematic
extortion and plumber had become thorough
ly organized, by the union of all the inter
ests which were to be enriched by its oper-
ations, Mr.. Van Buren, advocated and voted
for the tariff bill which passed the House of
Representatives, and opposed all attempts TO
mitigate the enormous duties proposed on
salt and other articles ofabsolute necessity.
MIR 'Ta1auoI M Ma.a- - -