, 1840-09-05
From The Indiana Sentinel.

From The Indiana Sentinel. s.
MARTIN VAN BUREN's life, as a statesman,
has been long and eventful one. In its
course, his political opinions have been sub
ljected to the closest scrutiny. This is right
and proper; a public mans political princi-
piles are public property. But MIR. Van Bu-
ren's political deeds and sentiments have al
so been, and even now are, most unfairly
n,isrepresented. This is the common fate of
politicians; and though such stealing Of q
mans reputation be an act hardly less inn
moral, 10 itself, than the stealing OF his purse,
pitude is too frequently overlooked; and even
its commission excused, on the plea, that all
is fair in war and politics.
The hundred ISLANDERS now put forth a.
gainst M. Van Buren, have been q hundred
times refuted already; else had he never
reached the gubernatorial chair of his W
State. a seat in the Senate of the United
States, then the Presidency of that Senate,
and finally, as the Growing reward Of his pol
itical integrity, the Chief Magis,racy Of the
Union.
But yet, as they have been once more re-
peated, it is useful that the more important,
at least, should be once more replied to.
In replying to these, l chiefly take, as my
authority, Hollands Life of Van Buren,, and
the Debates of the New York Convention;
both acknowledged as good authority by the
Wings, and both quoted by them (often most
unfairly g rbled) on all occasions.
FIRST comes the charge, that Mr.. Van
Buren,, when, in 1912. he supported De Witt
Clinton for The Presidency, againt Madison,
showed bv so doing a Federal bias.
Now, in 1912, De Witt Clinton was not
only Il distinguished leader Of the Democrat.
IT, Plriy in New York, but he was tho
REGULARLY NOMINATED CANDID
ATE Of the Party for the Presidency, Wit
ness the pronf:
sThe Republican members of the Legislature Of
lslI-l2. who brought forward Mr.. Clinton as a can
didste had been Themselves nominated and chosen,
by the republican electors of the several counties
aud districts. in the manner usually adapted in New
York, aud rsre considered The R,presentatires Of The
Democracy Of he State."--HoHa p. 80.
Mr.. Van Bhren. then, supported the Dem
ocr ,tic ornInee of his own State. Had he
NOT done 81 it would now probably De
brought up as charge against him, in proof
of his Federal leaning.
But D. Wit Clinton (the Wings argue) at
q later perrud nj The canvass, received feder.
III votes inr the P esidencv. both in his own
State and throughout the Union; yet Mr..
Van Buren, continued to support him.
That is true; but is that even the shadow Of
a proof that Van Buren, favored the FEEDER.
alistsl A good Democrat NAV receive Wing
votes; does TINT make him a Whigi Or does
IL m Ike those Democrats who support him
Wings! A child of Twelve years old ought
10 he able tn reiite such reasoning a. that.
The next charge is, that, in 1890. Mr..
Van Buren, supported Rufus King, an ac-
knowledged Federllisf, for the United States
Senrte: therefore, it is argued, he was him.
self a Federaiist.
He did support Rufus King; but under
what circumstances? In February 1919, a
Unired Safes Senator wa balloted for in
the New York Legislature.
There were two federal candidates, John C.
Spencer and Rufus King; and one republican
candidate. Colonel Samuel Young. Mr.. Van
Buren, supported Mr.. Young; and, after
several successive ballotings, as nc candid
ate had a majority of the whole votes, no
election was made during that session. Up
on this, Col. Young, the Democratic candid.
ate. withdrew his name. Holland says,p.
1913: 3
"After the unsuccessful attempt to elect q Ssus.
tor in 1910 Colonel Young declined being any longer
a candidate"
1t was then that MI. Van Buren, gave his
support to Rufus King, who, thougha Fed.
%eralis,. had zealously supported, and aided
with his purse, the Late War.
Speaking of the darkest period OF the war,
the fall Of 1914, that season Of disaster and
difficulty, when reverses from without were
seconded oy the ruthless efforts Of faction
from within, Mr.. Van Buren, himself iaiorms
us:
"Atthis momeutous crisis, which applied TIE
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