Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-08-20

ouSIny anu IlNdl3 10 tne nlgn and TeSp0n-
sible Office of Secretary Of State. It is
not for me TO say that there was any thing
improper in this nomination. But it was
at the time publicly alleged, and by a
great portion of the people believed, that
it was the result Of corrupt bargain be-
tween them. Such was the public indig-
nation on the subject, that the Senate Of
the United States, and Mr.. Van Buren in
particular, as the most prominent mem
Der OF it, would have been fully justified
by the people in rejecting that nomina-
ton. But true to the spirit of the Con-
stitutlon and the usage of the Govern
ment he declined to interpose objections,
and voted for the confirmation. Mr. Clay
is now member of that Senate, and is
one of that desperate triumvirate who
caused Mr.. Van Buren's rejection.
From this high aud exalted station,
rendered still higher and more exalted
by his integrity and his talents, Mr.. Van
Buren was called by the democracy of
New York, to preside, as Chief Magis-
trate, over the destines of his native
State. His Executive career was short
but brilliant. He rose to that eminence,
soon after the setting of that splendid lu-
minary that preceded him, and was sur
rounded by the light that still fingered
on his path,-None but the talents of the
highest order could have been brought
into such palpable comparison, without
suffering by the contrast, But il is no
disparagement TO his distinguished prede-
cessor to say, that MIR. Van Buren, fully
sustained the high character of the sta
tion, which his genius and attainments
had impaired to it,
From this place he was soon called by
General Jackson, on assuming the ad-
ministration ofth General Government,
to tho honorable and responsible office of
Secretary Of State. But he left the i'm
press of his genius upon our local insti-
tutions, and gave 10 our banking system
a safety and security which cannot but
be felt by generations yet to come, 1t
was at the seat of the National Govern
ment, in his new situation that he was
destined to add to reputation already be-
yond the reach of envy, or of rival ambi-
ton. He was now seen moving in a
more extended sphere. He seemed to
grasp as by intuition, the whole range
both of the domestic and foreign rela-
tions of the country; and it mpy with
truth be said, that from the days of Jetfer-
son to the present time, the arduous du-
ties Of that department were never dis
charged with mole distinguished ability
than by him, Our foreign negotiations,
which had fingered and languished under
the preceding administration, we're reAiv-
ed and invigorated by the ''master spirit"
which now directed, unde: the guidance
of an upright and single minded Presi-
dent, the affairs ofthe nation. That mis-
cradle system of diplomacy, the offspring
of intrigue and corruption in foreign
courts, now gavo place TO plain and man
ly dealing. That which Others had at
tempted to- accomplish by indirection,
was now accomplished by proceeding di-
rectly 10 the object in view. The claims
of our citizens Of foreign Governments
had, before this, been suffered to linger
along till those citizens had almost relin-
qnished in dispair, the hope of ever
bringing them 10 successful termina-
ton. No sooner did he assume the d.
rection of them, than their hopes revived,
and in a short period they had the proud
satisfaction to see their rights asserted
and their CLAIMS allowed in q manner
surpasaing their most sanguine expecta-
tons.-The prompt settlement of our
differences with Denmark and Brazil,
evinces the energy which had thus been
infused into the Stale department.
France, too, that had so long withslood
our demands for redress, for spoilalions
on our commerce under another dynas-
ty. now yielded 10 the reasonabeness of
their claims, when presented in the plain
and simple garb of truth and justice. -
The amount which our Government OBJ
tanned far exceeded the hopes of the
claimants themselves, and far exceeded
the amount at which our Minister at the
French court, under the preceding ad-
ministraton had been authorized to set
tie. Under Mr. Van Buren's auspices
too, treaty with the sublime Porte has
been concluded, by which our commerce
is extended to places where it never
reached before. The American flag
which had been famed by every breeze
in almost every sea, is now proudly wav
ing in ports where it was previously un.
known. Our vessels now float on the
sea Of Maimora, and spread their broad
canvass on the dark waters of the Euxine
Not to weary you, sir, with the repeti
ton OF what is well known to all who
hear me, I pass over many questions be.
tween us and foreign Governments, which
received the prompt attention Of the Sec
retary, ,and the President under whom ht
acted, and which we're adjusted during
his con Iinuance in office, or which werC
ina successful train Of adjustment.
\ Icohe, now, sir, to our relations witt
Great BItain, in reference to which, hi