The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-08

MR. VAN BUREN'S CLAIMS TO hn5FoHA-
TiON EXAMINED.
To hs Ediisr
had no, seen the article in the .'Dsmocraiic Re
viewp 10 which yoa have alluded, sitheagh, sou
will perceive, had guessed, sssesiv the dsisr"na-
tious and views Of The party, NJ now announced BY
this patriotic oracle,
The nomination was virtually made on the 4th Of
March, IS4l." Vengeance is not exactly Tho word
but we must honestly confess II Is something lit
tic like ito express what we all then, who had Ia
ken warm part in tho recent contest, SO ardently
painted for.n When we come TO speak Of the nature
and effects OF restoration, we shalt whether or
not "Vtsgeaaes" Is not ''exactly the word"
Letus first examine little into Mr. Van Barens
claims TO restoration, upon the party and the cona-
| try.
| First, his claims upon the party.
! The principal argument Of his friends is, that he
was made sufferer and sacrifice as the head OF the
party by his devotion their cause and principles in
the defeat Of l840.
| To this we answer that never came a President
into power with less merit Of his own with better
opportunities, for brilliant and successful admins
Il alton, and never went President down quickly
or deservedly, or disgracefuIly. II was, adj
mittedly, the popularity OF General Jackson that
elected him and the just principles of General Jack
son as avowed in 1929, constituted the original
strength of The party The course of General Jack
son towards the close of his last gave the party
tendency downward, which Mr.. Van Buren's total
desertion of the principles of 1929 nightly accele,
rated The principles refer to will be found ex-
pressed in General Jackson letter to the Legislature
of Tennessee, and his first messages to Congress.
comparison of them with the views contained in Mr..
Van Bureus messages to Congress will satisfy the in
qurer that there is scarcely sympathy between
| them.
| Mr.. Van Buren, came into power with popular
majority Of over 5000, and large majority in both
Houses of Congress. What was the consequence of
the very first step he took upon his own account
He fell forthwith into minority in Congress- State
after State abandoned him,-one false step beyat
other,- he continued sinking deeper and deeper ia
the mire, never recovering majority in Congress
until they temporarily and unlawfully evcted New
Jersey, and finally the People elected him from Office
by awful majority of l45,O00,-ony screen States,
out Of twenty-six, giving him their electoral votes
1t will not do to answer this result by pronouncing
the monstrous calumny upon the American People,
were about. II is attributable to the imbecty in
tolerance, and sclfshness Of Mr. Van Buren's adj
ministraton to his failure to accomplish any thing
but embarrassment and alarm,-to his repeated at
tempts to force measures down the peoples throats
against their will,-to his party despotism,-to his
frequent endeavors TO interpolate creeds
and false doctrines into the Republican code
He was defeated by members Of his own party ORR
ginally constituted who preferred to il arrested
whenever it should be going astray under bad advice,
and reasonable guidance. 1t the party, there.
fore, that was injured and defeated, and not Mr. Van
Buren, alone, who sacrificed. II is he who should
ask forgiveness, and not the party il is the party
that might reasonably require vengeance, and not Mr.
Van Buren, 1t was his desertion, and not his "deyo-
tion," that occasioned his downfall 1t would be now
mere justice, scarcely magnanimity, he to go
and ask pardon Of Gen. Jackson, whose heritage he
waSted-of Col. Benton, MIR. Buchanan, and Mr. Cal
houn, whose hopes he has dimmed and deferred, and
withdraw his preposterous claim to restoration
IL the party honest they had reason to be dis
satisfied with the vast increase in the expenses Of the
Government and with the frauds, corrup,ions, and
enormous embezzlements Of the public money that
were allowed-or, if they were not honest, they had
reason to object tina, Mr. Van Buren, not success
full in concealing these practices Of his friends in
office. We shall consider these and other matters,
when we come TO look into his CLAIMS upon the coun-
try.
Whatever may be the extent of the services Mr..
Van Buren, has rendered his party, it is quite certain
that there is very large debit their side. They
have conferred upon him Offices Of honor and enolu-
ment, sufficient to saate the ambition Of any reason.
able man. And be who has curiosity TO examine,
will find that never elective Office conferred
upon him, which not arranged In secret party
conclave or caucus. He has enjoyed office more than
hall OF his life about hirfy-iuo years In March,
1908, he was elected Surrogate of Columbia county.
In November, 1911, he made his appearance in the
N. York Legislature. 10 Feb 1915, he was appointed
Attorney General Of New York. In 1921 he was
elected Senator in Congress. In February, 1927,
he reelected In 1923 be was elected Governor
OF New York. In March, 1929, he received the sp.
pointmenl Of Secretary of State Of the United States
Ia 1891 he sent Mi lister to England but was
ected and obliged to return. Ia 1893 he was elected
Vice Presiten, Of the United Stats, and in Novem-
Der, 1886, he was elected President, and continued
in Office until 4,h of March, 1910.
And has Mr.. Van Buren, retired from all these Off
ces, with that usual ooncomitant Of official integrity
poruiy7 No lie commenced his career with little
property, and having made Office the business Of his
life, he has retired with wealth. TO the luxurious
shades Of rich estate which reoces in the pretty
but somewhat aristocratic name of LindenwaId.
There, alas instead Of resting in o,iu cum d,rnat,
orPursuipg the pleasing paths Of calm and elevated phi
losoPby, he has turned his back upon the viruous
occupations Of te sage, and engaged, ike Mselzel
and his chessplsyer, in pulling the wires of his party
Automs,s, and in making his par,sans play upon the
political board a game which looks to success not