Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-09-22
POLITICAL CHARACTER OF
Martin Van EBuren.
EaLacted from The ".4ddress ellie Uhig Cen
kaL Committee, 10 he People oc TIginia."

! "Imme ediately on the accession of Gen.
Jackson to the Presidency, Mr.. Van
Buren entered his confidential service
as his Secretary OF State with deserv.
ed reputation for versatility of political
character and for dexterity in the ma
nagement of intrigues and Of parties,
made perfect by his long practice in the
New Y York school-but without being
supposed TO possess any very elevated
quality Of head or hoart. You remelO-
Der, fellow citizens, the troop of noble
and illustrious friends, true friends of the
President, but more of their country, by
!, which General Jackson was then sur
rounded. You have not forgotten the
scenos new 20 this country, Of scandalons
intrigue md violent outrage which sue
ceeded. You have not forgotten how
those distinguished men, ornaments of
their age and country, were from time
to time driven off by disgust or expelled
with insult and contumely from the pub
lie councils. You remember by what
covert and not yet explained arts, ami
mostly against the second officer in the
Government was kindlcd in the mind OF
the President, and famed until it broke
forth into blaze by which his own hon
or was seorched and blackened. Dur
ing all this time Mr.. Van Buren, stood
behind the President, daily rising in his
favor. Non may conjecture by what
arts he hourished, while all whose crime
il was to be obnoxious to him, fell. You,
may deem it not uncharitable to imagine
that he was not wholly unconcerned in
fabricating the plots and in stimulating
tho iesentments which never failed 10
take the direction most favorable to his
interests. Ii seems to have occurred to
his own mind Uhe only mind conscious
Of his motves) Witnessing the route and
overthrow of all who stood in his way,
that he might at last be suspected of
having helped 10 raise the storms which
brought him such advantages, and be-
fore the public opinion had time to dark
en- over him, 10 retired from your eyes
and your suspicious TO the English Court
/ He was not permitted to remain there.
The representatives of the States in.
Congress, with noble self-devo:ion
which posterity will requite if this gene
ration shall not, refused their consent to
his appointment rs n minister 10 a court,
before which, as Secretary Of State, he
had disgraced himself and degraded his
country, by exposing our domestic divi-
sions, disavowing former acts of our Co
vernment, seeking to concliate the favor
OF fore gn prince TO his party, for its
party ends, and exhibiting the novel and
Illuminating spectacle Of an American
statesman begging as an act of grace to
his party, what was either due to his
country and should so have been de-
mandcd, or what was not due at all, and
he should therefore have scorned to ask
even in his country's name.
He returned, and crawling to the feet
Of the President with those memorable
words in his mouth, which express the
deep prostration of fawning servility, he
found protection and fresh honor from
the executive favor. From that time
you have seen him sitting under the ATM
pie shade Of the President, refiecting
with the obsequious fidelity Of certain
reptiles, the varying colors Of the Tree
which shelters him, feeding on its fruit
and dispensing it, and securely relying
on i,s rough and sturdy arms to shield
him from the storms.
4 citizens, we have desired 20
speak Of MIR. Van Buren, in terms which
should owe all their harshness and bit
terness, if any they have, TO truth. We,
have not the presumption to suppose that
our opinions will operate upon your judg-
mcnt. We desire nothing more than TO,
awaken your own recollections, to stim-
ulate your enquiries, to induce you with
calm yet unflinching and determined
spirit, to examine him for yourse Ives,
and accept or reject his pro[lered servi-
ces at your pleasure.
Look back upon the history of Mr.
Van Buren,. Ask yourselves, by what
principle has he been governed? What
course Of public policy has he pursued
Ask yourselves if there is a single great
political principle, il there is any settled
course Of public policy, TO which he has
steadfas'ly adhered' Nay, pat that
question to his own pariisans; and unless
you will be content with such answers as
fill the ear, but mock the sense, they
cannot satisfy you. There is principle,
n policy-permt us to suggest, from
which there has been no departure dur
ing his public life, long, tortuous, and
dark even in high places as il has been.
There is thread which will guide you
through the labyrinth-a key to unlock
It's most secret passages-a word which
solves the riddle Of his whole career-it
is seg To serve himself has been, so
far as we can discern, The whole aim and