Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-09-25

ALBANY, Sept OH, 1854
To hs Hon. Martin Fan Bwen:

TO The Hon. MARTIN Fan BWren
Sis-It is not proposed TO discuss the
merits or dement's Of either the friends OF
the opponents Of the late war. so far,
however, as the incidents connected with
that contest have become part Of the
history of our county; and so far as their
notice is deemed necessary 10 a true de-
velopment of your character, a retrospect
will be taken.
now charge you. sir, with aiding and
abetiing those men who were opposed TO
the war; with usng your efforts 10 elevate
TO power those who ceasured 1t, and with
assailing those who were Instrumental ia
producing an open and manly resistance
of British aggression. Yes, sir, you was
the incorporating opponent of Mr..
Madson's re election. as President Of the
| United States. on The ground. that he had
involved the nation in an unnecessary
war; that he was incapable of conducting
il. aud that il he was left in power, be
would soon be compelled TO sign a dis.
graceful and ignominious treaty of peace
/ II has been remarked, in preceding
letter, that no charge would be made
against you, on vague assertion. This
pledge shall be redeemed. After showing
I your hostility to thQse men who had hurl-
ed back upon the British ministry, a proud
/ defiance of their boasted power, | will ex.
/ hibit you 10 the prostituted aspect of
vindictive foe 10 the late Governor Chm
/ ton. in concert with whom you had been
/ acting; and then, as the plant sycophant
/ of Mr.. Madison, whom you had endeavor-
ed 60 destroy, and whose measures you
had reprohated aud condemned.
During the year 1911, our foreign az
fairs were approaching a crisis. The ap
| prehensions Of the patriot were depicted
in his countenance, The wrongs which
were inflicted upon the persons, as well
| as upon the commerce OF our unotlending
people, were daily increasing, while the
minions of Britain tainted aud insuled
our government Our national honor was
suspended by slender thread. lndnlging
| the hope, that peace might yet he preserv
ed; we had fauliered and hesita,ed too
! long II had been insolen'ly announced
on the floor OF Congress, by distinguish
ed and leading federalist,, 49," that toe could
mol be kicked into a ,oar.' AL the close OF
1911 it was, therefore, evident that base
and degrading submission to Great Bri-
Tain. or patriotic aud manly resistance,
| was inevitable.
AT this perilons crisis. where was Mar
| tin Van Bureau Ills supple biogfnphsr,
referring to this period, says" Ills sup
port Of the government was not merely nc.
| live, boil jealous; nor was mis- fise seai ~
ordinary men. II absorbed his whole soul;
| il led TO unlifing cxortion; il was exhibit
! ed on all occasions, and under all circum-
stances" Ii is not my habit TO use vulgar
and ungenlemanly language. IL il was,
| this quotation would receive harsh cpl
! ihets II shall oe demonstrated, however,
that every sentence Of il is untrue.
Ia April, 1912, you was candidate for
the State Senate. Your opponent was
Edward p Livingston, then branded as
thorough federaIisi; but since recognized
by you and Others, as pure Jackson do
mocrat. Your election depended on the
county of Rockland; the other counties IN
the district being opposed to you. 10 that
county, the friends of De Witt Clinton
had an overwhelming influence. II was
exerted in your behalf, and you was elect
ed by a small majority. You was known
TO be their man. The question oil war,
or no war, now agitated the whole coun'
try.-Where was Martin Van Buren's
zeal and untiring exerilon ~ | Will
point TO il. On the 29th OF May. 1917,
a few days before The declaration OF war,
a caucus was held in this city. You sir,
was promoter Of that caucus, and sup
porter of its doings Mr.. DE WIT Gin
ton was opposed to the war tie wac
nominated 10 that caucus, as candidate
for the Office Of President, III opposition
to James Madison
To a right understanding OF the whole
case, it is necessary, perhaps. 70 retro
spect. In 1912, and previous, the caucus
system prevailed at Washington. Mr.
Jefferson had been twice nominated by a
Congressional caucus Mr. Madison had
in ike manner, been nominated and elect
, ed. The caucus, therefore, by the Demo
, cratic party, was the ties, Of party men =
. ! Those who would not abide lis decisions
|, were considered politically heterodox,
4 not federal Such were the "usages an'
4 discipline Of The party" IN those Gays
Did Won act with The democracy, IN sup
1 porting James Madison Or did you ac
. with the federalists against hlmP DAD
Q you support, or oppose Irregular nomlna
e lions p''
i In June, 1912, war was declared
;. was the act of the party. 1t was an Eek
II eculiye recommendation, 10 special mes
d sage, transmitted TO Congress on the frs
Y of June IL was a measure adopted b
e every branch Of the Government Wher
a was your fiery zeal, spoken of by YOU
" puny biographerp Did you sustain,
that period, that measure, or the men VIII
& had boldly and fearlessly adopted ltp ID
e you, on that occasion, support the go
a ernment? Did you defend Congress an
5 the administration, insomuch, that sit al
err sorbed your whole soul'" Did you c'i
It your energies with the friends of the WI
i. for the purpose of securing the re. eiechS
of of the man, who had hazarded the IN,
,e and exalted station be then filled. rath
or than behold his country's honor trodden
C. dust and ashes. by foreign ioeP or d
YOU recreant like. flee the banner WIN
ed The democracy Of the land had gallan'
mi unCurled TO the breezes Of Heaven
as pause, because my indignation IS excite
md when | hear you spoken of as an ca
he friend Of the war. ! have not done, he
oc ever. with this branch Of the subject.