Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-05-09
Rates OF Advertising.
FACTS IN THE "LIFE OF MARTIN
VAN BUREN,"


x.------=--------- ---=---------==
FACTS IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN
VAN BUREN,"
We have now before us a volume, entitled
"The Life and Political Opinions Of Martin
EVAN Buren,. Vice President Of the United
d" States, by VIM. M. Holland printed 1885.
Mr.. Holland, in the chapter which comedies
this volume, thus speaks Of himself and the work
under notice
"In tho foregoing pages, the writer has at
tempted to present an accurate and full view Of the
personal history of Mr.. Van Buren,, and a clear eX
position of his political opinions. The firm belief
of the writer the most ultra democratic doctrines,
and his partially towards the subject Of this mar
rative as the champion of those doctrines, he has
not any where affected TO conceal No doubt
this strong bias of his mind has led him to take
views of certain public events. widely different
from those which are entertained by persons of an
opposite political faith. He has, however, stren-
uously endeavored not to distort, conceal or mis-
represent, facts. The incidents of Mr. Van Buren's
life have been fairly stated and his opinions fully
displayed. Every reader is at. liberty TO connect
with them such sentiments Of approval or reproba-
tion as they may seem to require"
Our object in thus prefacing the extracts which
follow, is to show, that the statements made,
come from an ardent political admirer Of Mr..
Van Buren, land they are unquestionaDly cor
rect.
We shall commence these extracts by furnish
ing proof from this work, that
Mr.. Van Buren, supported De Wiz Clinton,*
for President IN 1912, IN opposition to James
Madison, the Democratic War candidate and
bosom friend Of JeferSon
1.-The Republican members Of the Legislature Of
New York, elected in the spring of 1911, resolved
during their session in the spring Of 1872, to meet
in Convention, for the purpose of nominating
candidate for the Presidency. Their numerical
strength in the two Houses, was nearly one hun
dreG OF this number, eghty-seven met in Con-
vention on the 29lh of May, 1912, and unanimously
nominated Mr.. Clinton who on hcing informed
of the nomination, accepted it. Mr.. Van Buren,
was not then member of the Legislature, nor was
he any ways connected with these proceedings.
He, however, concurred in the propriety Of sup
porting the nomination thus made and accepted
and at the session of the Legislature, held in No
vember 1912, in the conjunction with majotity of
the republican members Of each branch, h3 TOOK a
decided part in the support Of Presidential electors,
who were voted for as friendly to Clinton AID who
ultimately gave him the vote of the State"
Hollands Life of Van Buren,, page 90
Mr. Van Buren, il, the New York Contention
opposed the right of any man to rote, HnleSS he
should be a householder.
1.-THE qualifications required in the report Of the
committee besides temporary residence, were as
has already been stated, paying taxes or doing
military duty, or working on the highways. Mr..
Van Buren, was in favor of adding to the latter
alternative the further restriction of being house.
holder He expressed his fears that the extension
contemplated by some of the amendments proposed,
would not be sanctioned by the public appreciation,
and would occasion the rejection Of the whole by
the people. In this connection, Mr.. Van Buren, re-
marked, on another occasion, "th0t were the bare,
naked question of universal suffrage put to the
committee" (of the whole she did not believe there
were twenty members who would vote for it," He
added, Zone word on the main question before the
committee. We had already reached the verge of
UNIVERSAL suffrage. There was bat one step be-
yond. And gentlemen prepared to take that
step! We are cheapening this invaluable right.
He was disposed TO go as far any man, i'll the ex-
tension of rational liberty but he could not con-
sent to undervaue this precious privilege 50 far as
10 confer it, with an indiscriminating hand, upon
every one, black or white, who would be kind
enough to condescend to accept it,
"At this moment, he would only say, that among
the many evils which would flow from wholly un.
restricted suffrage, the following would be the most
injurious, viz:
First, 1t would give to the city of New York
about twenty five thousand votes whilst, under the
liberal extension of the right on the choice Of
delegates to this Convention, she had but abou
thirteen or fourteen thousand. That the character
of the increased number Of votes would be such a:
would render their elections rather a curse than
blessing which would drive from the polls al
sober minded people: and such he acaS happy t.
find, was the united opinion, or nearly so, of thu
delegation from that CITY,"
Hollands Life of Van Buren,, pages l5l, lS2, lS3
Mr.. Van Buren, uoting TO gire Free Negroe
the right Of suffrage.
"By the old Constitution of New York, no dis
tinction was made with regard to color in the quail
fcaton Of electors. In the Convention Of Amend
ments, proposition to restrict the right of votn!
TO white citizens was rejected by vote of siXt
three to fifty-nne. A long and eloquent debat
preceded this rejection Mr.. Van Buren, did no
participate in the debate, but roted Nth The ma
jOrity At subsequent period in the business o
the Convention, when the qualifications Of elector
were fixed, the blacks were excluded from the RICH
of voting, unless possessed of freehold estate
of the value Of two hundred and fifty dollars, and
were exempted irem taxation to corresponding
extent This provision, which continues to be
Dart of the constitution of New York, received hi
assent in the following remarks.
.'Mr Van Buren, said he had voted against
total and unqualified exclusion, for he would nc
draw a revenue from them, and yet deny to thel
the right of suffrage. But this proyiso met his ap
probation. They exempted from taxatio
until they had qualified themselves to vote TIL
right was not denied to exclude any portion of tn
community who will not exercise the right of su
frape in its purity. This held out inducements
industry, and would receive his support"
Hollands Life of Van Buren,, page 1877
Mr.. Van Buren, opposed to the election Of Jp
tees of The Peace By the People.
"The committee on the appointing power ha
reported in favor of the election of justices of II
in nv the DpOnln. MIR. Va