The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-06-04
From the Chillicothe Gazette.
PRINCIPLES OF THE ADMINS.
'rPAsTTON DAp.pV

AAlNo III LLo VT L he ADMlNlS-
TRATION PARTY.
''Resolved, That the devotion to sound
principles euer manifested by Martin
Fan Buren, through life Of asefuN-
ness to his country, *** commands our
warmest appreciation and our fullest con-
Ifdence.' Proceedings of the .Democra,-
ic Hickory Club
Here we have distinct avowal, by a
party calling itself Democratic of its
belief in the soundness of Mr.. Van Buren's
prnciples-not only present, but past and
of its ''warmest appreciation Of the whole
course of his public life. Let us take a
cursory glance at the 'life" thus commen.
ded, and the principles thus adopted; and
see how far they can command the ''appro-
bation' and confidence of one who is
really democrat, according to the proper
meaning of that word, or according to its
ancient Specification in the politics Of this
country. In the array of Mr.. Van Buren,s
principles. thus adopted and approved by
his party in this city, which we shall pro-
coed in brief manner to make, the reader
may be assured, that nothing is put down
which can be gainsaid. Facts are given,
and they cannot be controverted. Those,
who rejoice in the application of Van Blu
rem Democrats, may here see, as in mir
ror,the faith which they are supporting:
Principle No. 1.-The Late Tar.
The late war with Great Britain was
essentially measure of the Democratic
party, as it had been formed under JEFF.
ferson, and existed in 1879, under Madi-
son. Mr.. Van Buren, opposed that war,
and acted with the high Federal party, in
an effort to break down the Administra-
ton Of the father Of the Constitution, the
patriot Madison. Of the first of these
propositions, variety of the testimony
might be adduced, but the following fact
is sufficient for the purpose.
In the summer of 1912, Mr.. Van Bu-
rem was mainly instrumental in getting
mp an Anti War meeting, in Hudson. Co
lumbia County, N. Y. ; and at that meet
ing introduced and carried resolution in
these words:
"Resolved, That the war is impoitic
and disastrous, and to employ the militia
in an offensive war is unconstitutional. u
The second branch of the proposition,
to wit: that he abetted in plan to prevent
the reelection of the democratic candi-
date, Mr.. Madison. is alike susceptible of
variety of proof; but the fact, that he
opposed the democratic nominees, at the
election in his own State, and coalesced
with others Federaiists in the nomination
Of Mr.. Clinton, in opposition to Mr.. Mad
ison, will suffice.
Principle No. 2.-IHe Right Of Suf
.frage.
The free right Of suffrage is held to be
cardinal principle of democracy. wheth-
er the word be taken in its original or in
its conventional meaning. Mr.. Van Buren,
opposed the extension of the right of
suffrage 10 the poorer people,--the log
cabin men,--of New York, in the conven-
ton which met for the alteration of the
Constitution Of that State, in 1920. He
declared that by taking off the restric.
ton, universal suffrage was approached,
and the right cheapened and took the
ground that property qualification was
necessary to the fit exercise of the cleo.
tive franchise. See proceedings of the
Convention, pages 227, 1872. 2s3.
Principle No. 3.-Popular Elections.
In the same Convention, Mr.. Van Bu-
rem voted against giving to the people the
election Of Justices ofthe peace, and sher-
ifs, declaring that the farther the choice
of such officers was removed from the
people, the better! Pages 1912; i60,
422, 1876.
Principle No 4.--Negro Suffrage.
While Mr.. Van Buren, opposed the ex-
tension of the right Of suffrage to poor
white men, he advocated the giving of it
70 negroes worth $50 dollars. In other
words, he was in favor Of making pro-
perty distinction between citizens, but re-
cognized no difference Of color.
Principle No. .. Prevention R;oht.
In the UnitediStates Senate, April. is2s
Mr.. Van Buren, voted against settlement
and prevention rights; and against pradua.
ton bill in 1927.
Here are few Of the ancient princi.
u Z