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

be rehearsed.
With the electors of president and vice president fol
the Of New York. governor OF the also tc
be chosen, TO succeed the distinguished and lamened
Clinton Yielding TO the pressing demand of the repub
cans OF New York. Mr. Van Buren, consented become
candidate Tor the office, and subsequently elected
This event made 1t necessary that he should retire from
the Senate OF the United States and he accordingly re
signed his seat in that body in January, 1929.
Before follow him 10 the chief magstracy OF his ma
tive state, will be proper notice or three points
connected with his services in the Senate which no re-
ference has yet been made During the hole period OF
those services, the nation agtated by discussions OH
bills for regulating the tariff and for constructing internal
improvements. As great majority of the people Of New
York. were decidedly in favor of the prole ctive system
aud OF the bill Imposing additional duties passed i'm lS
and 1873, Mr. Van lurcns votes on these bills 70
vered by their wishes aud inStructons-it being Will,
him cardinal maxim, that the representative is bound
to express the sentiments OF his constituents, whenever
those sentiments be clearly ascerianed But whilst
he was always ready TO aid in the protection OF the
manufacturing interest by advocating the adoption of all
necessary aud reasonable measures he prepared
TO build up that interest at the expense of others equally
important 10 the wcllbcing of the nation DeepIy SEN
sble that the union of the States could only be kent I'm
by the constant exercise OF that spirit of concession and
compromise in which IL was formed, he earnestly incca-
ted upon the representatives OF the states
the importance OF limiting their demands TO the lowest
practicable point; the miSchiefs be apprehended both
III pecuniary and national point Of view, from exrava-
CANT aud oppressive duties; aud the benefits be derived
from reduction OF the amount barely suE
hccnt pay the national debt, and carry econon
cal government The wise and liberal sentiments enter
tanned by him in this respect, made unfreGuent-
iy the topics oil accusation III his State. In 1927
these accusations increased TO such extent that he
avaied himself OF the opportunity afforded him by pb-
lie meeting held in Albany the subject of the then pro-
posed Harrsburgh convention before that meeiny
In speech OF considerable length, his general views on
the whole subject well explanation the course
he had pursued whilst a member OF the Senate, the
particular bills which had before that body This
speech, which was afterwards published had not only the
effect OF satisfying the people of New York in regard TO
the course OF the Senator who made il, but had also
tendency 10 moderate the high tariff sentiments of some
oil his constituents The recent history of the nation
and above all The bill just passed for the reduction of the
uuues nave iuy indicated the wisdom, foresight aud
patriotism OF Mr. Van Buren's i'll relation TO this
important and difficult subject.
In regard TO internal improvements, Mr.. Van Buren,,
had always but one opinion viz that it was not intended
by the trainers oil the constitution confer Congress the
power OF constructing tlem and that the power if exer-
ciSed At all, ought to he sacedy confined objects of
surety national character with perhaps single eXcep-
to his votes in the Senate, in strict accordance
with these views. The alluded to- as CONSTITUTING
possible exception is thus stated by himself "Mr Van
Buren, Is by no means certain that in this he him
self has been altogether without fault At the very first
session after he into the Senate the know of the
perpetual drain that the Cumberland as destined TO
prove upon the public treasury unless were
taken 10 prevent it, and sincere desire 10 go at all times
as Tar az lie could consistently with the constitution TO aid
In Tue improvement, and promote the prosperity, of the
western country, had induced him, without full examine
on to vote Tor provision, authorizing the collection of
toll Oh this road The affair of the Cumberland road
IN respect TO lis reference the power,
of this government, is matter entirely sui generis
1t was authorised during the administration Mr. JeIer-
ed states ana had the consent OF the states through which
1t passed He has heard explanation of the sinh
Jec "Iough has been matter of constant reierence
tha mas Dceh satisfactory 10 his mind All he saw is
that II the question again presented him he would
vote against t and that his regret for having done other
Nise would be greater, had not Mr. Monroe much IN bis
vote, IN the course Of years service which the
most ids'ilouS critic can torture into inconsistency with
the principles which Mr. " Is. protested TO maintain and
IN the justice OF which, he every day and more
confirned."'
Mr.. Van Buren, entered upon the office of Governor Of
New York. on the first of January, 1922 aud administer
ed the government until the 18th of March following
when he resigned in consequence of his appointment
Secretary of State Of the United States OF the ability and
upilghness with which le discharged the duties of the
chief magistracy there high aud honorable proof Re
solutions expressive OF the hghes respect for his virtues
and talents, and rendering TO him the of
The representatives OF the people, with CHER earnest wish
that he might enjoy full of happiness and pros
peny IN the new sphere of public duty TO which he was
about 10 be removed, were unanimously passed by both
branches OF the State Legislature, thoug considerable
portion OF each house belonged the party opposed to his
election The like sentiments expressed, in terms
still fiaering and aieconate by the republican
members, who transmitted him communication ON the
eve OF his departure for Washington in which, after ex
pressing her attachment to his person. their respect for
his character and their regret at the separation that was
about TO take place. they rendered him their acknow-
!eISmen's' "Ior me numerous and Important services
winch lie had rendered to the State particularly
tanning those political principles which they believed TO be
most intimately blended with lis highest and dearest inter
ests These proceedings, in come Xion with those had
during the last winter may be taken as an index of the
estimation in which he held by the people OF his native
State aud OF the character OF their feelings towards him
Immediately after his resignation Governor of New
York. he repaired to the post assigned him by the Presi-
dent
The qualities Of his mind temper and manners were
Pccuary adapted to the duties OF cabinet minister and
more especially to those Of the department. Whilst
he occupied this station, hc showed himself safe constu-
noua adviser by recommending on all occasions strict
ana scrupuOus adherence the terms the constitution
hHeral regard to the interests of each portion of the
Ono-a sincere deerence to the independence and sove-
vel. IL
to thcT-aH honest vgillnt ana truoaI dn,insr,,io a,
home-anda wachiu and prOvdent 10 oir ron
cerus with foreign nations The management, of tbosc
concerns FAR ii devOlved him, precisely mi
it should have been His demeanor towards the mears
and digied; his dispatches contained nothing rhetorical
offensive lmprudenf the affairs which they related
were discussed in plain bsiness-ike manner our own
views and Claims were clearly stated aud when founded
on truth and Justice nexbIy mautaned the pretensions
OF opponents canddiy consideed and in accord
dDce with the character and policy of the President
every effort was made to conduct diplomatic arrange
mes III The spirit OF sincerity and justice. The
which attended his labors Secretary of State Is too well
known TO need TO be repeated.
Mr.. Van Buren, held the Office OF Secretary Of State
until June 1881, when he retired from that important and
honorable trust which he had voluntarily resigned in the
preceding April The reasons which induced him take
TINS step, oil the purest and most elevated character
lie believed that the best interests of the repubc were
idenuhed with the full and successful Development of the
principles which led TO the election Of Cen Jackson he
saw that the confidence OF the President, though indispen
sable To his usefulness IN the cabinet, was vet made the
ground OF open accusation and insdious attack lie was
aware That envy and ambition in their efforts TO niure him
we're key TO ebarrass II not TO thwart the Of
the government; aud he knew that so long he main
tanned position prominent and commanding the patr-
otto designs Of the Executive would be couneraced not
only by the regular opposition but by the more dangerous
hostility oil some who pretended to be his friends. Under