Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-22
9UESD.gN', .M.9X CgE %, 1896,

tie entered twenty iirst year IN the faii of
1893 and the ensuing spring, made his first appearance
at the polls ccctor. AT that election, Morgan
Lewis and Aaron Burr the opposing candidates for
the office of Governor Both proiessed to belong 10 the
democratic party but the latter arrayed against the
general Administration and the former the candidate
ofihe majority of Jeffersonan democrats In this
test, the circumstances Of the imposed upon Mr.
Van Buren, test of his integrity and ndepend
ence. Col. Burr was warmly sustained by many lead
ing politicians in Columbia county, among whom were
some OF Mr. Van Burens warinest political hiends--
During his own residence studeni at law, in the
city OF New York. he had received many fatterng
marks oil attention from the then Vice President, who
embraced among hiss Jealous PERSONAL and political
friends, MIR. William z. Van Ness, with whom MIR Van
Buren, was a student But, true to- his own principles
and the spirit Of his party, he gave his vigorous and I'M
iesatn support To Mr.. Lewis at the hazard OF tenn
lorary cstragenent from several valued friends, who
had hitherto also represented the feelings OF the De-
mocracy.
I'm 1897 the antagonist candidates for the office of
Governor were Morgan Lewis and Daniel d. romP-
kins. The latter, as the candidate Of the Democratic
party and the faithful organ of its sentiments,
ceived MIR Van Buens most Jealous and decided sup
port lie was elected by majority OF 1853 votes In
1910, Mr. Tompkius received from Mr. Van Buren, a ST.
miar support Indeed the views OF these two eminent
politicians appear have been strkingy similar TO each
other on the leading political questions Of that period
As the election OF Dir Jefferson had called forth the
earliest exerons of MIR Van Buren, his Administration
received, daring its whole course his unremiitng sup
port Never for moment did he waver or relax IN ms
exertiOns The democratic principles which gave the first
direction 10 his political COURSE continued TO be his steady
rule of notion In that gloomy period when the threaten
ing aspect of foreign relations suspended CONNER
ciu intercourse and ubode ruin To the enterprise and
dustry of our country he srunk not from firm
port of the frmes measures The non-inercoursc act
the embargo, and every efficient OF the Admins
traton for the security OF national rights received his
hearty concurrence. In the forcible language of
other His support of the government was not merely
active but jealous; his the zeal oordnary
1t absorbed his whole soul; led TO unrng exertion
1t was exhibited all occasions and under all circum
stances. Neither the coDumey OF inflated wealth,
the opposition of invdous talent, the weekly revil
ings of centious press, could it Into silence
soften ii To moderation
Sin the time, his political influence and reputation
rapidly extending beyond the county OF his residence
Alta political meeting i'll Albany in ISL, consisting Prn
c:paly OF The republican members Of the Legislature
Mr. Van Buren, present, aud took leading part.
"Ai this period, the question OF the renewal OF the
charter OF the first Bank of the United States
lenty aglialed. That charter expired the 4th of
March, 1911 On the I'd OF March, 1909, Mr. Galiatin,
then Secretary of the Treasury, report upon
subject concluding with proposition for the renewal of
the Charter. On the 20ih OF February, loll, after
proiracted debate, vote taken upon the main ques
ton in the Senate of the United Stacs and the members
were equally divided The venerable George Clinton,
then Vice President OF the United States, the
of the BILL by his casting vote against it. This vote
in strict accordance with the views of the Democracy OF
the country. IL was warmly defended and justified by
MIR. Van Buren,.
"When the prospect of the continuance Of the United
States Bank disappeared, application made To the
Legislature OF New York. by powerful association
chatter Bank in the city OF New York with capt.
tai of six millions of dollars, and TO be called the Bank
OF America The petitioners supported their appca-
lion by propositions well calculated to appeal TO tempo
aud pecuuary interests they offered bonus oil
hundred Thousand dollars, and loan OF two millions
easy terms; propositions which the opporlune
as the great system OF internal improvements ia the
State had already been agitaed. tbs well known Tn L
those fathers of democracy. George Clinton and Da-
mel ID. Tompkins, were opposed TO banking incor-
poratons of almost every kind Mr. Van Buren, coin
cded with them this sentiment, and doubtless
the general sentiment oil the democracy of the State
They regarded the Bank of America substitute for
the Bank oil the United States; aud the latter institution
was never viewed with friendly eye by the Democratic
party.
MIR. Van Buren, took the strongest ground against
the proposed ncor porailon.
"a Convention OF the Republicans of the county was
held IN reference 10 the measure, at which Mr. Van
Buren, delivered a powerful speech against it, as q
proposition iraught with danger the public veal.
The convention adopted series of resolutions, pre-
pared by him, denounciDg the scheme anti Republi-
Such however the influence exered by the a p
pcans, by OPEN and it believed, by corrupt
cret meens that in the spring of 1872, the serious
indications appeared the Legislature of disposition
To grant the proposed charter.
In this emergency Governor Tompkins, with a de-
gree OF rmness which has parallels in political his
tory prorogned the Legislature from March 9Th to tho
2lst OF May This energetic received the sup
port OF Mr. Van Burens utmost influence and best
ents. Upon the re-assemblng of the Legislature i'll
May the act was passed in the Senate by majority
three votes, embracing the of Edward r. Iiynps
ton and Morgan Lewis as well as of other members o
! The democratic party. IL did not However become
law; but ON ed It's defeat TO the rmness OF the Governor
AT this juncture, MIR. V. Buren, was for the first time
8candidae Tor elective Office having been nominate
as Senator from the then Middle District Ills oppo
nent Edward T. Livingston, gentleman OF eminen
worth and talent, with powerful amily friends anC
strong political connections Circumstances had indeed
placed hun, temporarily false position with respec
To the Democracy OF HE district; but he received the
warm support OF many who had formerly been dstin
! guished ~ The Republican ranks OF this number wa,
William L. Van Ness, VINO had withdrawn a lew year
previous from the city OF New ork his native county
" The opposition to MIR Van Buren, embraced the ca
tire Federal party; the former friends of Col Burr
Gov Lewis, and The Parizans of the proposed Bank
America
g. The contest OF the violent ever known
in the State and resulted IN the election OF Mr. Val
Buren, by majority Of less than two hundred out o
twenty thousand votes.
Thus, IN the thrlieih year of his age lie place.
aud from this time forth he has constantly appeared al
! public man"
His Support Of tho var.
'Ihe sessions Of the Legislature in New York in ISL
and 1914 exhibited scenes Of the greatest political
lenee The Federal party had majority in the Hous
troll ~ the Senate Among the most prominent mem
bers OF the latter body were MIR. Van Buren,, Nathan
Sanford and ETastus Root Differing thus in their vic W
Of public policy the two branches of the Legislation
were often IN conflict with each other Many publi
acts OF patriotic character, which passed by tn
Senate, were rejected by the House. This led 4
frequent conferences Of committees from both be
dies. In these conferences the measures IN aisput
were publicly discussed, and The discussion embrace
The general policy Of tie Administration and the expe
diency OF the The exciting nature Of the question
us debated, the solemnity Of the OCCASION the discus
sOns being conducted Ia the presence Of thcw Houses
aud the brilliant talents Of the parties 10 the cOntfOvci
sy drew vast audiences and pesented field for the dis
play OF ciOqucnce unsurpassed dignity and intcres
Ivy the assemblies Of ancient Greece Mr. Van Bure
was always the leading speaker The part Of the Sc
naie aud by The vigor OF his logic, his sc0teness on
T.. q -