Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-08-06

by the most distinguished and venerable men in
the State.
Mr.. Van Buren, had been active, in orisna-
ting this convention "ayowedIy for the eXten-
sion of popular rights" and was one oil the lead
ing spirits in it.
The principal feature with which Mr.. Van
Bnrcus name has been connected by his oppo-
aeats. was with The rgIG ofsuf1rage. The Re-
publica,Is. headed by Van Buren, introduced
Proposition that. "hdriaa paM tarcs. 1corkcd on
ikc highways or done military duty. and resi-
drnce of six months in the State, should quail
fy Il person IT, be an ecctor.
The Fcdcraists opposed the measure, and
required property qualification of $3.50. to
vote for Senator's This Mr.. Van Buren, zeal
ous!y opposed, in speech, which we shall pub
li.hed in n short time. The restriction proposed
was rejected. To render this odons TO thr peo
pie and cause i,s rejection. the Federaists pro-
posed nnirerSal stlffrag ge-black as well aS white.
The old constitution had no distinction in regard
to color. Mr.. Van Burcn opposed this, re-
marking-"wc are chcapcnlng this Invaluable
right. lie was disposed 10 20 as far rs any
man i'll the extension of rational liberty: but he
conId not consent to nndervalne this precious
privilege so far as to confHrit. with an undis-
eliminating hand upon every one. black or
white, who would be kind enough to condo
scend 10 take It ?"
He therefore proposed, az The convention
had recognised the right Of the blacks TO vote to
restrict them to property qnalIhcatI"n ol
$3.50!
We now find Mr.. Van Buren, in higher
and more conspicuous sphere OF actoIi-llle
Senae oftlle United States.
As 4 member of the New York Senate, he
had early introduced bill to abolish imprlson-
mcnt for debt, and had labnred fnryears though
nnsuccessfuy, to get PASSED int" law ny
the Legislature. He now co.opcrated with
Col. Johnson. in the same noble purpose, III the
Uniled States Senate.
He also proposed 10 amend the constitution
so as to keep the choice of President and Vice
President from the House Of Representatives
and cor fine it 10 the pcople-the legitimate
source oia'l po,cer. The House, however,
was too tenacious Of IFS power, and he wascom-
PEELED tu abandOr the measure.
As chairman Of the Judiciary committee, he
reported hill to abolish three new circui,s-to
appoint three new juh ges to the Supreme court,
and IN extend the benefits of the United States,
and 10 this bill Alabama is now indebted for the
United States Circuit within her limits.
In 1927, the attention Of Congress was &C.
cnpied with Bankrupt bill. Mr.. Van Buren
took an active part in the discussion. He was
in favor of all the provisions of the bill, but
the 93d section. which proposed to extend the
act 10 all classes.
In rel ,tion to The public lands, in 1926. Mr.
Van nuren remarked. that he "was in favor of
rcsting the lands in the States in uhich they stood
OH some Just and equitable terms F"
In March, 1876, Mr.. Van Buren opposed the
celebrated Panama mission, proposed by Ad.
ans. and imtI oducrd resolutions declaring it
unconstitutional this to enter into '.entangling
foreign alliances"
On The I'D January 1924. Mr.. Van Buren,
opposed the alarming assumption of power
hy the General Government. in regard to In
ternal improvements ard proposed certain
amendments. To .heiiue and limit the exercise
of this power. AM to Sccurc the State sorereign-
ties tiom cncroachmcntS."
In February. 1925 he again introduced set
of Resolutions, declaring that Congress had
no power TO make roads and canals within the
respective States" and proposed select COM
nlittre to prepare an amendment to the consti-
tuition which would, be said, .'protert the SOW
crrignlv ofthe respective States. and secure to
them a Just distribution fail The benefits result
ing from all appropriations nade for that pur-
pose" Mr. jefferson has spoken Of this mo-
lion as giving evidences Of "other States cnm-
ilr forward To the mark" in aid Of the South.
Gen Harrison voted against these r solutions.
An appropriation having been called for, in
aid of the Louisville Canal, he opposed it.
a proposition was also made. the same year,
for Congress to subscribe to the Dismal Swamp
Canal Mr.. Van Buren, opposed it.
In fact, Mr.. Van burcn opposed EVERY ap-
preparation for internal Improvement save one.
which was TO erect n toll-gate OH the Cumber-
land road This. however was 10 put some
of the money back into the Treasury. which
had been expended for the completion Of the
roa: he afterwards regretted his vote.
Those opponents who instance this solitary
cote as showing his bins towards this I'M ust sys.
ten, and who attempt To detract from the mer'
lis of his other votes, by saying ''oh he found
that he was ina minority" should remember.
that the Administration was then in power, aud
were n large ina loriiy. and that Mr. Van Bu-
reI was in a minority in his opposition TO tue
system Gen. Harrison was then in the Sem
ate, voting airays for the system.
Mr.. Van Buren, carried his opposition to III
ternal Improvement bv the Government SO far
as to assume that ''cvcn for The purposes of Il
national character, no appropriations onght to
be made without previous amendment Of the
constitution
In relation TO the Tariff, Mr.. Butler. the inli-
mate and confidential friend nf Mr.. Van Hu.
rcn. aud late Attorney General of the United
States, has said, that "llis personal feelings
have been at all times advers" 10 the hig tariff
policy"
Ala public meeting at Albany, Jnly lOth,
1897, Mr. Van Buren, made powerful and
elaborate speech against the "bl Of ahonlina-
tons. as il HIS been c;!ed--the Tariff Act,
wch passed into law. 1923. The Tariff III
teres, became alarmed at this, and voted for in
struciions, requiring him TO vote for the Act,
which he did.
In his reply to the shocco Spring committee,
in 1922. hc says he "fuy concurs " in the poll
cy of Gen. Jackson's administration, on Il, $
subject. lie remarked. "a sincere and faithful
application oflhese principles to our legislation,
unwarpcd by private interests or political de-
sign. restriction Of the wants, of the Govern
mcnt to simple aud economical administration