The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-17

distinguished men 10 adhere 10 II tnrough
thick and thin. as the one in which their own
personal aspirations would, most likely, be best
promoted. The consequence is that the party
has become full Of leaders and ambitious as
pirants. The success Of man Of Mr.. Van
Buren's moderate talents has brought the Office
Of President do~n to the supposable reach
also Of multitude Of pretenders, whose am
bition receives additional stimulus from the
contemplation of the example before them,
and by every instance OF paitry good luck
they happen to stumble upon.
If Mr.. Van Buren, has not acted in the
wisest manner either in reference to his own
future glory or the interests Of his country,
neither has his course, in our judgment, best
spbseryed the interests Of his own party. IL
government one term, he would have been
likely to have given the country more just
and impartial administration, introduced less
corruption into his own party, and derived
more active and cordial support from those Of
its leaders whose prospects Of the ultimate re-
aIization Of their hopes would have been thus
enhanced He chose a different. and perhaps
a fatal course. Hethrew the real business Of
government out Of sight, disregarded the real
interests of the country and the wishes Of the
people, deserted the principles on which he
set out. and shaped his measures and lent his
energies 10 the selfish purpose, which, if con-
summated, would lend his name bu. little adj
ditional lustre, while it would endanger his
hold upon the support Of many able friends
whose claims he would postpone and perhaps
forever preclude. This has been characteris-
tic of his first term now nearly finished. The
great object is not, however, yet attained-nor
is it, by any means, certain that it will be. The
effort, long since begun, is still to be carried
onward to the grand period Of triumph or de.
feat.
LII the mean time the vigor Of some Of the
asprants in waiting, is declining, while their
hard won advantages are to be exposed still
to the chances Of political warlare--the claims
Of others who have spent half a life Of toll in
the service Of the party are to be darkened by
ungrateiul postponement 10 the selfish ends Of
one unimportant man.
As matters now stand. Mr.. Van Buren, in
sists upon being reelected. Supposing, also,
that his party is determined to support him in
his claim. the next question is, to whom shall
tire--or, in other words, who of his present
party shall be run as candidate for the sue
cession The decision Of this question will
be fatal to the Sub-treasury party. Passing
over the shoal Of subordinate aspirants, ,sho
appear in the drama as the great rival candi-
dates Of that party for the mantle Of Mr.. Van
Buren,? Obviously, Messrs. CALHOUN and
| BENTON.
Great as Mr.. Benton's services were in be-
halfof Gen. Jackson, they fall into the shade
when compared with the powerful aid SMr.
Calhoun has magnanimously brought to " CO.
yer his enemy" Mr.. Van Buren,. The body
Of the Van Buren, party know and appreciate
this, as Is illustrated, in the very general call
the press Of that party made for Mr.. Pickens,
the relative Of Mr.. Calhoun, for the powerful
Office Of Speaker Of the House of Represen-
tatiyes. In similar manner the mass of the
Van Buren, party will exhibit their preferences
for Mr.. Calhoun for the Presidency when the
proper time arrives. Mr.. Benton, with his
heart steadily fixed upon the prize before him,
has watched with the keenest anxiety not only
every movement Of his formidable rival, but
has guarded by his continual presence near
the White House every avenue TO its sceptre.
He foresaw that Mr. Calhoun was aiming to
! secure to himself the high advantage Of the
Speakcrship Of the House Of Representatives,
and interposed to prevent, utterly, the accom-
pshment Of that design, acceptable as it
might be or not to the " Loco-foco party
Mr.. Benton triumphed in the caucus, Mr..
/ Calhoun's friends were excluded, and the con-
sequences Of these antagonistical powers
striving for performance in the same party,
arc exhibited in the impotence Of both at the
very first onset that is made for the Speaker
ship. So far therefore these influences have
neutralized each other, virtually, though Mr..
Benton, by having Mr.. Van Buren, and his
friends on his side has commanded decidedly
the vantage ground. This squabbe, which
ever Of the factions obtains the victory. land
we give the preference TO Mr.. Calhoun)i is only
the beginning ofthe end Mr.. Van Buren,, a,
best, stands upon precarious ground. Mr.. Cal
houn has committed himself no farther than
is necessary for the establishment Of the Sub
treasury-but just in proportion as his infu-
ence controls the administration of Mr.. Van