Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-03

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candidate for the Presidency in opposition 10 MIR Madi-
sonLct me first advert TO the circumstances attending
far tho inference which have becn draw, ,o nov
wcllfuundcd. Mr. Van Bufcn elected i'm April
1872 member ofthe Senate of his STATE by the Rcpub
icans of the then middle district New York Ills le-
gal term ofservice did not commence until July 1872
nor his actual service, until November following In
the time, the Republican members of the Iegisla-
tuc of New York elected in the Spring of 1911 had re-
solved, during their session in the Spring of 1872
meet IN non oi the purpose ofnolnnatng
the two Houses, nearly hundred of this num-
ber eighty seven met in Convention the 29th of May
1872, and unanimously nominated Mr. Clinton who on
being informed otthe no ination accepted it. MIR Van
Buren, not then member of the LEGISLATURE nor
was he IN any way connected with these proceedings
lie however concured in the proprey disappearing the
nomination thus made and ptcd-and at the Session
OF the Legislature, held in November 1872 in conunc.
ton with majority of the Republican Members each
branch he took decided part the support of Presi
dental electors who voted for as friendly to Mr.
Clinton and who ultimately gave him the vote the
The Republican Members of the Legislature of
lSll-l2, who brought forward MIR. Clinton as candi.
date had been themselves nominated chosen by the
Republican electors of their counties and dis
tricts, in the manner usually adopted in New York and
were considered the Representatives of the Democracy
oil the state They and their constituents had supported
the Administration of NIr. Jefferson that also of Mr.
Madison, IN all he great questions of public policy
nected with our foreign relations The great mass of
the so tar from being opposed to beleercnt measures
against Great Britain, in favor Of a more decided
poiicy than had been pursued towards her
In regard to MIR. Van Buren, this was pee uliarly the
case There was probably person in the State his
own age, who had given more efficient support the
measures oil the General Government during the whole
period OF the restrictive SYSTEM than himself His CO.
temporarics of all parties, the county of his residence
might be appealed TO witnesses this point He was
open and decided advocate all the strong measures
proposed against Great Britain during the Session of
Congress OF loll-l2 the included Having been
porn and reared IN the same town-havng been, from
july 1912, until after the peace inmate of his family
am able to speak this subject from personal know
ledge No man of character acquainted with his course
and opinions in 1872, will to assert that he ever
expressed doubt to the justice of the war or the ex
pedency of engaging in it at the time it was declared
In supporting the nomination of MIR Clinton Mr. Van
Buren, consulted what he believed To be the wishes of
the Republicans OF his State His efforts however, were
confined TO New York. With those made by the friends
OF Mr. Clinton in other States, lac hud no concern
And though, in the choice Of electors Mr. Clinton ulti
matey received the votes of the Federal members of the
Legislature of New York. and was also supported bv
that party in other States Mr. Van Burens relations To
1t were entirely unaltercd The hostility towards him.
Oh the feaerass, as party, IN the county in which he
then resided, was decided and violent during the
year lSl2 1T had been before, afterwards In
deed 1t has never been withdrawn suspended from
the commencement of his political TO the present
Day Occasional exceptions might be made in regard TO
Individuals but enough to vary the general result
Upon the WHOLE 1T is submitted the Judgment of
intelligent and candid men, that whether the sHnnot of
Mr.. Clinton was right wrong, there is nothing the
mere ac OF that support under the stated
TO sustain the imputaton of opposition to the War.
Lei me now give you summary of Mr. Van BuIens
itbears upon this point-As has been stated he took
his seat in the Senate of New York in November 1919
Onul the adoption OF the Constitution N 1901
the governor, instead of message, delivered speech
to the Legislature, at the opening of each session An
answer was made to this speech by each house in which
the views of the majority upon the prominent political
questions of the day. forth and thus made the
subject OF dscusson before Legislative measures in
respectto them, were matnred. Committees appoint
cd TO prepare the answer majority of whom would il
was supposed be most abloand willing present faithful.
the the minority their respective houses
me strongest man otStle minority usually selected
10 oher a substitute. Although, this Mr. Van Blu
rem hst appearance IN any Legislative body he being.
with perhaps single exception, the youngest man that
had, up to that time been elected the Senate ne was
placed upon the Committee and prepared and reported
the answer to the Governors Speech This answer was
punished by ms friends on the occasion referred 1t
indicated the justice of the war; and urged vigorous
prosecution of It, This you will observe was at the very
Clinton.
At the ensuing session of the Legislature, which
commenced in January, 1873 the political relations pre-
viously existing between Mr.. Clinton and Mr. Van Blu
rem were dissolved, and never again resumed The dis
asrous results OF the preceding year had then begun
press heavily on the country and especially the State
OF New York Her course in respect the war became
therefore, matter of the first importance. Mr. Van
buren, from the commencement of his legislative ca
reer gave TO all war measures the most decided and vi
gorous support. independently of his speeches and
oes on the ioor OF the Senate, he took leading part
In the denomination of Governor Tompkns, and was
appointed by the meeting, prepare address to the
Republican electors in support Of this nomination. In
inns paper, he went at large into causes and grounds
OF the war, and vindcaed with much force of reason
ing and with all the ervor of youthful PATRIOTISM the
indispensable duty and high Justice of the measure I'm
the recent compilation of Mr. Emmons which you NAV
nave seen, you will find copous from this adj
dress No man, think, can read them without deep
conviction of the writer's sincerity and zeal
In April, 1913 Governor Tompkins was reelected;
but tie Fedcrais obtained majority of the House OF
Assembly During the next session of the Lepsature
which commenced in January, 1874 Mr. Van Buren, was
again conspicuous support of the war and as the no.
puar branch in the hands of the Opposition the
course OF the Senate became douby important He as
sisted IN carrying through the several measures
intended to aid the General Government in the
on OF the war, which iectcd by the other House;
ana IN the public conferences which these differences
between the TWO Houses led, of the principal
speakers on the part othe Senate the special session of
the Legislature of N. Y held in Sept 1914 his efforts
though not more jealous, more efficient and useful
the Democratic Party having the mean time remained
their ascendancy in the Assembly This session had been
convened by Executive Proclamation in consequence
OF the new character which had been given to the war
curing me year, and of the exposed condition of the
State The of the Senate TO the Speech of the
COMMITTEE, and which you will also find i'm the corDpi
aton OF Mr. Emmons Te-armed the Justice of the con
test on our part, adycrted TO the evenul nature of the
CRISIS, It's dangers and its duties and pledged to the
tae ana Union, the active cooperation of the Senate
tmnk on Perusing it, you will agree that in keep
ing WIN the character aud exigency Of the times
DuIlng this special session, Mr.. Van Buren, rnatured
brought forward and defended in debate several war
measures of the strongest character Of these the
most prominent was "Act to authorize the rasinp of
troops Tor tue defence of the State which passed both
iouses, ana being approved by the Governor became
law on the 24th OF October 1914 1t authorised the
Governor TO place at the disposal Of the General Co
Veihment l2,OOO men for two years to be raised by
suitable closslhcaons Of the inlitia of the State:
put with such improvements in its details to avoid
many OF the inequalities and other Objectionable fea
of ppliIfo Ir.n- &.