Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-22
POLITICAL.
FOR THE EMO UiRER.

hood ought To be considered high offence against
cieiy In no case is this offence more aggravated than
when the object is defamc the characters of useful
public Whoever does this, with whatever intent,
is not only calumniator of the individual whose cha
racier is misrepcsenled, but he is also public enemy
For the people have right the best services of every
citizen and therefore, they have right to
formation as 10 the character and opinions Of each
Noman rhaps, in America, (uness except MIR JEFF
rscn when rising 20 the zenith opopuarity and powerO
inisrepresented than Mr.. Van Buren, has
been by the Bank Wing presses As It's of the greatest
import that his principles and opinions should be gene
rally known and fairly understood by every OF his
ellowctzens who desires TO serve his county, rather
than obey faction when he goes to the pols-and in
order that all who choose 10 form enlightened opinions
and to act for themselves in accordance with such Opt
MONS, their choice of President TO succeed President
jackson, may act undersandDgly we beg leave to lay be-
fore the readers of the Enquirer copous extracts from
Hollands Life and Political Opinions Of Martin pon
Btnen; promising, however that attracts do full
Justice either the Biographer MIR. Van Buren,
We therefore earnestly recommend the book itself 10 the
attention OF all Republicans >,,,, ~, r,,,ru
EXTRACTS.
4" MARTIN VAN buren, born at kinderhook,
the 9th day of December, 1882 Ills father was firm
hg i'll the Revolutions and Democrat IN the days OF
John Adams and the educated in the
principles and of fotmed his mos; intimate
nections with persons of the same political faith His
mother is said by all who knew her. have been dis.
tnguished for her amabe disposition, her exemplary
piety and more than ordinary sogacy His youthful
mind and feelings formed under the paterhd roof,
by the sound of wise father and the pous
OF discreet mother Perhaps this very he may
IN small degree be indebted Tor Ills extraordinary
command over ms temper all occasions, his strong at
tachuient 10 his early friends, and his amabe, social
qualities; well Tor the benevoence OF his DISPOSE
ton, the amenty of his manners aad the blameess
purity of his moral character.
HIS carly exhibition Of Energy and Talent
. " The respectable gentleman with whom Mr. Van Blu
studied his profession heightened Federalst.
HIS early patron and partner in business was OF the same
political faith. These gentlemen by their example
and advice earnestly endeavorcdto withdraw him roma
political connection which they probably believed TO be
dangerous and wrongs aud which they could not but fore
must bring upon their young friend much persecution
and Obloquy Gentlemen of high standing and character,
many years his seniors, who sincerely and ardent
ly attached TO him. made the most endeavoIs
to induce him TO change his political creed They urg
ed every consideration tiaterng TO his pride, which
could tempt the ambition OF an aspiring youth They
pointed him the dangerous tendency OF what they
called the acobinieai principles OF the party TO which
he attached, and the certain defeat and ruin which
awaited them. The result of every interview
disappointment of their hopes 10 influence his
course, unmixed with an admiration for the
fTmness with which he adhered 10 his principles
and the adroitness with which he met their urgu-
ments These attempts were finally abandoned. Firm
ly fixed by reflection and observation ia the political
faith OF his father, who Wing in the Revolution,
Anti FederasL in 1885, and early supporter of JEFF
ierson, the subject OF this memoir srunk from the
winch applied TO the strength and in
legrity of his convictions. Without patronage
paratyely poor plebeian by BIRTH and furnished
with the of superior education he refused
worship either at the shrine of wealth ore power
but followed The dictates of his native Judgment and be-
feelings, and hesitated not cause
which he thus adopted the utmost violence
of his political enemies That violence burst upon
his head with concentrated fury His character was ira
duced his person rdiculed bis principles branded
famous his integrity questioned and his abilities sneered
at, by those who had recently extoed them In short
Mr. Van Buren, encountered the earliest period OF his
career earnest of that malignant and perseverng
abuse with which he has been necessarily assed, from
that time the present But the shafts Of malice were
aimed at him IN vain. His moral character was beyond
eproach His habitual selfTespect and the pervadng
decoru of his department defed ridiculc His princi-
Piles were so fortified by TRUTH as to gain ground amid
oboquy and denunciation. His integrity commanded
the respect Of all candid men. His abilities exortcd
general admiration.
''The ruthless warfare carried by the exclusive
party in this country against the leaders OF the Demo-
cracy, is well illustrated by the of Mr.. Van Burt
both in its character and its effects For nearly forty
years. has been the constant effort of his political
agonists public and private. by the press, by
saton and in set speeches, TO lessen his influence with
the American people and 10 impair their confluence in
his capacity and honesty The attempt has proved ut
erly futile. Indeed, il has indirectly conduccd to his
elevation by drawing public attention TO his character
and subecng it TO d constant scrutiny, well calculated
to disclose It's excelIencies. The example will be
without its influence upon other defenders of the
principles Of government il evinces how little
these violent attacks deserve to be regarded The peo-
pie have already learned that these assaults generally
popoonate in their violence, 10 the merit OF the subject,
and that signal integrity of character in democrat,
most likely to excite their greatest fury IT is rather
matter of SURPRISE that they who resort 10 these inem
perae have not already learned their utlty;
since the people have, almost uniformly, delighted TO
honor those who have been most bitterly assailed. Eve
ry will call to mind in this Connection the father of
American democracy, the illustrous Jefferson aud the
equally conspicuous example of present, venerable
Chief Magistrate
"On this subject, many others, the card nal error
Of the Democratic party, is false estimate of lie
intellectual capacity of the people. Presuming upon
their ignorance and creduty they employ for purpose
of deception, tone OF exaggeration and hypeTboc
which leads dstrusl and defeats its object Thus
they have lost the popular ear and their most solem
asseyeIatons have ceased influence any but weak
minds.
Undismayedhy persecution, as he had been uDmovcd
by persuasion Mr. Van Buren, steadily acted upon his
carefully formed convictions and vigorously cooperated
on all OCCASIONS with the Democratic party. Mild and
unoblrusive in his personal Department. while he
Extensively obirudcd his sentiments upon others de-
nounccd their opposite opinions, he ready by
argument and illustration, to defend his tenets and
to enforce them in private life or on public occasions
| His oisetioa to the Suite Senate
! +" In April 1872, Mr.. Van Burcn had been elected a
member of the State Senate from the then Middle Dis.
tct BY this election which will be fully motto
ed in another place, he became member Of the Court
for the Revision Of Errors. Hs first sitting mem
During that session. he delivered very learned and Ella
bofale opinion, IN the of Barry Mandel report
cd in the tenth volume Of Johnsons Reports, page $40
His first actire participation in political agairsS ypor
Of Dr. J.BersoH- Opposition 10 Bunk If Apleried.
" Ills first active participation in political affairs,
10 the great contest which preceded the elevation Of Mr.
Jefferson TO the Presidency, in 1901 lie was at tina
time, student at law in Kindethook and cspouscd IN,
interests Of the Democratic With the greatest ardor
His carly devotion to the popular secured him the
confidence and esteem Of the Democratic party in hi
native town. The same feeling extended through
out The county, and IN the winter Of lSC0-l he wa
depued by the Republicans of Undertook 81 fepresen
their sentiments convention Of delegates from Rens
selaef and Columbia counties which convened To nomi
ff t..C