The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-30
MIR. VAN buren, AND THE WAR.

Frequent inquiries are made rs TO Mr.. an fou-
ren's course during the late war with Great
Britain. The following letter, from the "SPy
IN WASHINGTON embodies the facts within the
compass of nutshell. The "SPy" prides
himself on the correctness OF his facts. They
can be relied ON.
Correspondence Of the Courier and Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, May IL.
Mr.. Fan buren, during The par Of ls12-'
Ii is frequently asked-what was the policy pur-
sued by Mr. Van Buren, during the war Of 1912
His friends boldly reply he was the jealous ad-
vocate Of that measure, and supported the adj
mnistration of the General Government in It's
prosecution. His opponents speak doubtingly,
and give evidence IN their answers 10 the inter
rogatory of want Of correct information on the
subject. Nor Is this strange or wonderful. The
actors in the scenes of those by gone days are
rapidly passing off the stage of life. Another
generation has sprung up. Men born after ihat
war was declared may now be IN the councils OF
the nation and thousands Of such are amongst
the most ardent and are Of an age to be the
most efficient, in the mighty political struggle
that agitates our country. They are older thah
a majority Of those gallant spirits which COM
manded our battalions in the batte-felds Of the
Revolution, and shed lustre upon the land OF
their nativity.
No mans position was more easily dehned
than Mr.. Van Buren's in 1912. very few his.
torical facts, which are matters OF record, WIN
remove all doubts on this point, and however
much they may be obscured by sophistIy and
metaphysical refinement, they stand In bold re-
lief, placing him in the ranks Of the opponents OF
the ioar and Mr.. Madison and the champion OF
the .speace party" candidate for the Presidency,
selected and nominated by the New England
heightened Federalists, designated, in those
times, as the +" ESSEX .JunfO."
In April 1912, Mr. Van Buren, was elected
member of the Senate of the State OF New
York. The whole country was then convulsed
with the question of war or no war with Great
Britain. In those days the Democratce party
designated Presidential candidates by Congress
sional caucuscs. They were the test of party
men In this way Mr.. Jefferson had been tiotce
nominated and elected, and Mr.. Madison once.
On the 22d of May, 1912, Mr.. Madison was no
minated second time by the Democratic mem
bers of Congress. He was selected by them as
the known and acknowledged war candidate.
On the 29th Of May, screen days after the no
mination of Mr. Madison, the New England
Federalists, with certain distinguished Federal
lists of the State Of New York and elsewhere
held caucus in Broad street, in the city OF New
York. Their deliberations resulted in nomina-
ting what they termed peace party" candi-
date for the Presidency, in opposition to Mr.
Madison, the 9 acdr party" candidate. Onthe
18th June, 1912, war was declared against Great
Britain; and from that time until the meeting OF
the State Legislature on the Sd of November
following, Mr.. Van Buren, denounced the war
and its authors. He was actively engaged with
the Federalists in disparaging Mr. Madison,
and in untirng efforts to defeat his reelection.
| AT that time the Legislature OF the State OF
| New Y ork chose the Presidential Electors. Mr..
| Van Buren, was member OF the Legislature.
| The Electors were chosen viva voce. Each
member rose in his place and read of the ticket
for which he voted the clerk taking down the
names of the persons voted for and by whom,
and then entering them upon the journal There
| could be no mistake therefore, as to whom the
members voted for. War had now been raging
for nearly five months. The disasters which the
country had experienced were well calculated TO
awaken the national feelings of every patriotic
American, and to prompt him Of he had any
sympathies in common with the administration
TO act in concert with and give his support TO It,
What was MIR. Van Burens course of conduct al
! On the Sd Of November 1912, the Legislature
Of Flew York convened in the city Of Albany
II was special session, held for the purpose OF
appointing presidential electors. On the evening
of the 4th, caucus was held in the Senate
chamber, for the purpose of designating candi-
dates TO be voted for as electors. There were
three parties in the Legislature First. The
Democratic party the friends and supporters OF
Mr.. Madison and the war Second. The party
which has since acquired, and is in possession OF
the administration of the Federal Government
self-sfyied, now as then, Democrats--consoida
tonists-the advocates of Executive power
protesting economy, but practising extravaganza;
And Third. The heightened Federal party.
The ttro first met in caucus together. Great
violence ensued Mr.. Van Buren's speech OF
some length assailed with virulence Mr.. Madi-
son, the statesmen OF the South, the war; and allits
supporters. He then lauded, in a most fulsome
manner the Presidential candidate of the /" Is
ser ./uRtO," and avowed his determination 10
support that candidate which pledge he redeem
ed. He was replied 10 by General Root, now
in the Senate of New York by the late Chan
celor Sanford, and by others Gen Root, and
the othef friends of Mr.. Madison, finding them
selves in a minority, withdrew from the caucus
Each OF these parties, separately nominating
their candidates for presidential electors and on
the 9th of November, 1912, with Mr.. Van Blu
ren's influence and vote, electors for the ''peace
party" candidate We're chosen.
Such was Mr.. Van Buren's position preceding,
and during the first year of the war. Suisse
quently, when Mr.. Madison had been reelected
when brighter prospects began to dawn on the
path OF glory which was opening before us
when he had received from the Government
liberal fees as Judge Advocate and when
certain other good causes thereunto moving
him, had full force and effect, he suddenly lodged
the Federal party, and by an adroit somerset
was found in the ranks Of the Democracy +; bu,
not during the year 1912. | will pursue this
subject no further. These facts are matters OF
record.
THE SPY IN WASHINGTON.
THE BIG BEGGARMAN
The New York Times SAYS
We have already given some account of Mr..
KcndaFs property in Illinois, showing that il is