Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-10-03
POl.ITHCAI..

Mr.. Van Buren's first political deve,o >m ,nts up
ona large scale, began while previous 10 the lat,
war. II was from HAT great event in the history
of our country, that he first mcdliatcd u rise I,
distinction aud power, and sought toaccompli>
! this at the cost of the honor, and treasure, and
blood Of the country This position l will pro-
coed To establish.
II WAS about two year, before Mr.. Madi>on's
term OF service was TO expire that was looked
for with Great Britain. The British party ia \
merica united their forces, aud made furious on
sets on both Jefferson and Madison.-'fhev were
denounced and pcrsecuted AS the orsnalors of
the quarrel, &c. This particular f'elin. was Sci
zed upon bv Martin Van Buren, aud the occasion
WAS used bv him, in conncxion with the Peace
party, to break down Mr.. Madison and his poll
cy. The documents before me Il shall draw
from them ihrouehout) state that such was the
strength of the union between the British party and
certain leaders, vino claimed 10 belong to the dem
ocratic party in New York, that serious fears were
entertained by those who were friends of Madison
and the war; that New York would bu lost TO the
administration.
At this conjuneiurc, 1913, Martin Van Blu
rem elected Senator. lie was elected be
it remembered, by the Madisonan party, with
the understanding that he would side with the
policy of that party, and of course 90 for ,he
war.
The cry had gone forth AGAINST MIR. Madison
for having recommended a Wal. \ peace palty
formed. This was in til, summer of lSl2.-
Mr. Madsons popularity was assailcd, and mea-
sureS were set on foot 10 prevent Mr.. MidSon's
election. In June 1912, war was declared. Just
previous to which Dewitt Clinton was brought out
rs the Federal candidate To oppose Mr. Madison.
Clinton received his nomination in caucus, in
May, 1912. This eaHcas nomination Of De Wit
Clinton was met on the other hand by the regular
nomination of Mr.. Madison as the War party
candidaic.-Mr. Van Buren, oppoScd the nominal
ton. Soon after The declaration of war, IA meet
ing held of the party in Mr.. Van Burcn's
county. This meeting, it has never been ques-
toned, got up by the democrafic war-sup-
porting Martin Van Buren,. James \. Hamilton,
then and ever since, the confidential friend and
instrument of Martin Van Buren, took lead in
that meeting. From tins Van Buren, federal meet
Ing enanacd an address, dated July Sth, follow
cd by certain resolutions signed by this same po-
lticaI, and personal, and parlizan friend of Van
Buren,, James \ Il1non, and others of kin
bred feeling and of Van Bnrcn's creed of politics
Now reader take an extract from these rcsolu-
TONS
"Resolvcd, That the war Is IMPOIITIC,
UNNECESSARY, aud DISASTROUS; and
that TO employ the militia in offensive war IRE
"
UNCONSTITUTIONAL"
This is one specimen of Mr.. Van Buren,,
- trankncSS.' He WIS elected To- the Senate, rs
the friend of Madison and the war, but anA-
lous To be on the strong side, and believing, as WAS
the very general belief. at that time, that the
peace party would prevail he threw hinselfupon
that party, organized the Federal meeting sta
ted, and took position against both Mr.. Madison
and The war.
Lest any should question this act of per
tidy-his preference of party and Office, To coun-
try and honor, | will quote extracts from papers
known 10 be under Van Buren'S control. 1t be-
came necessary, as elecor, of Prcsdcn' aud Vice
President to be chosen in that year, that
ry nerve should be strained 10 break down Mr.
Madison--N an Buren, had stakcd his all, as
he supposed, on the issue of the contest now wd-
ged between the peace party with Van Buren, AT
its head and the war party and MIR. Madison as
its lcader.-Look AT the following extracts from
the Van Buren, papers =
August, lSl2.-'' An administration which
enters into war without revenue, without pre-
paraiion, and without plan, with preparation
worse than none, pursnrS Il miserable course,
&c.
October, 1Sl2.-" Madison has bcgot war
war begets debts. debt, brget taxes; taxes beget
bankruptcy &c
-" CiHt00 will hrget peace ; peace begcts
riches and property; property begc's harmony
&c.
Here lhrn is proof that Naa Bnren was no, on
IL hostile 10 Mr.. Madison and the war, but that he
flung himself ont Of the Madison traces which he
wore when elected TO the Senate, and into anolhcr
set prepared for linn by the peace party, and De
Wit Clinton. We will see in the sequel with
what aplncss he flung himself out of these.
On the 81 cmhcr,-lor the purpose oil chooS
ng Presidential electors, AN extra session of the
New York Legislature called. W ar had been
declared, and Governor Tompkin> announced
the fact to the Legislature. Every Democrat in
the land, and all who loved their country, had a
right to exncct a bold response, warm, and free
and gushing from the New York LEGISLATURE
and especially when the Democratic Martin Van
Buren was named, as one Of three, 10 draft an
swcr to the patriotic TompkinS, and his message.
And what was that answer!-
The Senate fully concur with your eycellency
in the sentiment, that at period like the present,
when our country i, engaged in with of
the most powerful nations Of Europe, difference
of opinion on abshactpoin should not be suffered
to impede, or prevent united and vigorous sup
port the constituted authority Of the nation"
Could any thing be more grndglngly SAID in a
crisis like that or be colder in its approval |
think not This was four months after war was
declared, and Immediately preceding the period
of election of President.
The clamor against the war meanwhile
kept up. The highest hopes were cherished by
the peace party. the British party, the pscndo
democrats with Martin Van Buren, at their head
that Mr. Madison would be broken down,& Dewitt