Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-11
POLITICS..
(From the albany .Aegus.J

The bravest Of the brave
POLITICS.
(From the albany .aegnsg
MIR. van buren, IN RETIREMENT.
A public man for %thirty.hve years-enJoying or hy
faring great prominence of position, and reaching, ~
steady gradations, the highest ranks, IN . pun.
sense, perfectly known to the world. II IS, no~exe,,
in a retirement, not voluntary, and nan;a,,n
that seem to indicate a change in the popu'a. Pai,a 10
m,or nr;u,t. life aGer uninterrupted years spent IN
The n,,hlic seryice-that the true points IN Character are
made TO stand out, and exhioit themselves 49,. y
The lights and shadows, and tue atuhciai leneeuo"'
which surround public life. Under such circuH-
stances Il 10 The touchstone Of philosophy and cha
racter. -,
or;,,;no the seat Of government, is a fine old structure
nc The BEST architecture of the close OF the last centu'
Nv Il was built by Gen. Van Ness, father OF Gen. }.
+ Van Ness of Washington, Gov. C.P van Ness OF
Vermont, and the late Judge w. T. Van Nesso OF New
York: and was for many years the family residence.
With an eve TO convenience, and TO keeping, the inho-
va,ions upon the original design OF the building nave
been removed, and its general appearance has been
restored; while TO the extensive grounds nave oeen
added gardens, choice imported fruit trees, a green
house, a wall and e~spaliers, and ponds well stocked
with fish. Situated within two miles OF hihoetnooK,
commanding from the north a fine view OF the village,
and from the west an ever varying and imposing view
of the higher elevations of the Catskil Mountains
embosomed among venerable and lofty trees, which
have been recently thinned with care and taste, ana
which may we'll be regarded as the most graceful
and valuable of the genii toei-it is altogether a
delightful and grateful retreat. But it has another,
ann in the estimaiion of its possessor, a higher
charm. 1t is in the neighborhood OF his b'rth-
nlace: and is invested with the associations OF early
II;f.-w;th the recoliections of those early efforts and
trials and studies which have ripened into such fruits
,s the American world is familiar with. IL SIN The
midst of people, between whom and HIM the warm
est attachments subsist-many OF whom nave VIII
messed from the beginning the progress oil a career
the object of their pride and admiration; and ell oil
whom partake in the qualification OF his return 10
dwell among them. 1t is not an inapt Illustration oil
the equality and beauty of our institutions, that ne VINO
sta rted in early life from this neighborhoed, with the
rich promise, it is true, which the manifestations OF
,rpih' 6delity TO principles, and extraordinary talent,
may have held out, but with no adventurous aios
of wealth or family infuences-nay, under the most
formidable adverse influences Of both, through an ,nve-
tera,e political hostility that pursued ana sought 10
barrass him at every step-returns 10 II, having enjoyed
the highest honors OF the Republic, second to no man
in America for craftsmanship Tor hdelity TO high trusts,
and for frmness, elevation and dignity OF character.
His cnioyments or avocations are simple, anu IN Tue
spirit Of such a retirement His library and cores
pondence employ the morning hours-the supervision
Of his fields and grounds and exercise in the saddle, the
interim before dinner-the society OF his family and
the visits Of friends and guests, the dinner hour and the
evening.
But place and neighborhood, and rural beauty, or ie-
l;citons associations, are of secondary value. 1t is the
spirit in which they are enjoyed, under The circnmstan-
ces in which they come into possession, lhae CONSTITUTES
the true philosophy Of life. 1t IS SAID OF fitt, on the
authority of persons who had most frequent access 10
his private hours, that for the concluding thirteen years
of his life, he scarcely enjoyed any settled tranquility
of mind, either in or out of office That, incapable OF
finding consolation for the loss Of public employment
IN the pursuits which retirement revives, or TO when II
gives birth. that period Of his wonderful career presents
4 subject, in many aspects, of painful contemplation
We have, from authentic sources, glimpses OF Mr.. Can
ming in retirement, both voluntary and involuntary
and we are amazed at the ardor and srengh win
which he brought his great powers TO iresh-hay'
redoubled labor but it was the labor OF preparation
for farther conflicts in the field OF craftsmanship
and in the public arena. 1t was Tar IRON oeine
the calm retreat Of philosophy, or the noble con
,en,ment of a satisfied ambition. And a British
Statesman, of more recent, but OF nearly eq'ia
eminence, was tainted, on going out OF power
with having ~hungered after the position he had quit
ted, and with heing alarmed at the solitude n
which he found himself. MIR. Van Buren,, perfectly
REALIZING the mems conscia rect,, IS also blessed with
,hysicaI Temperament that contributes to the %tranquilll
10 and cheerful ease, which are the result manly oil
ell.balanced and disciplined mind. 1t 1t springs II
nome measure, from the pleasure of an exemption iron
pub,ic care and responsibility, il is IN a larger degree t.
b., ascr;bed 10 a feeling of gratitude to Providence ant
The People for the manner in which he had been sus
tanned. steadily and triumphuntiy, through long year
Of political collision, rather than from any. teei,n!
of disgust or unkindness that he was suffered at las
10 experience u puttiub - SE t~F~
favor. No such feeling is INDUCED in for a mo
,nent. Not q word Of reproach, or complaint. o
an expression of querulousness, escapes HIM. ih'
irmsst conviction OF right in his public course, IS un
,nired with the least irritation Of MANNER, or the slight
90, re Election upon results. An old, cherished and ever
nresent reliance upon the integrity and patriotism Q
The ms.ses. is yet a sentiment as warmly cherished an
,s firmly maintained as ever. Perhaps there is no ma
of whom il can be more truly said, that he has no re
rre,s for the Past: nor any to whom the Present IS
Source of more tranquil, unembi,tered enjoyment, Q
The Future less the object Of ambition or anxiety.
OF the generation since the Revolution, two ffes
dents only have been denied a reelection. IL may o
thought invidious to pursue q comparison oetwee
them, respecting the manner ia which they have born
themselves under such a dispensation. But their POI
teal faith cannot be more directly at opposites, tina
their course Of conduct in this respect. Ii an unsa
,isfed desire of place, a craving for public lie, or hab''
of public occupation which an impatient and resties
snirit could neither conceal nor subdue, prompted a re
,..rn. 10 a subordinate station, to the scenes OF politics
and leo. slative contention; 4 forward gladiator IN Tn
s,r;ea cracking conflicts and excuses in the represer
,a,;re arena s,.ch as have never before been witnessed
oad f,rn;sh;ug 10 the world the example of an Ex-Pre
90, raturnsng vtt5 a fresh zest, and a %sharpened al
&c 40 the very rudifnents Of a public career: If sue
- oxh;b;,;on was calculated 10 diminish the ~respectio
~ n,e.;asnt;al Office, and the admiration Of the pres
:. Character: the calm philosophy, the serenity
,,s pleasing and preferred retirement, ana the graceit
"op.csnee "a events, looking out upon The worl
m III. ,h. sensations which an interest IN the Puoi'S we
S.so,noot hut excite, but with no desire 10 mingie !
,ha .gr.v. can scarcely fail to re-assure our ialtn N u
a,ar.,;on and dignity ofour nature, and IN the success
S'i working out ofthe great problem otseii 'goVefnm. =
., : mi our design 10 discuss lhe reasons OF causs