New-York daily tribune., 1844-05-31
Tbe Downfall of Van Buren,.

veption Of his own party, OF the man who 10:
over thirty years has been 4 master.spIrit IN the
politics OF our State, and for some twenty has
been conspicuous and potent in the affairs Of the
Nation is an event which must not pass without
comment There IS matter in it for grave and
profitable reflection.
We alludc to it to indulge in no vulgar exulta-
ton over fallen adversary. We feel no JOY IN
it, and shall affect none. Confidently believing
that Nj Clay is this year to he elected President,
we had hoped to highten the qualification OF that
triumph, by the contemplation of the People at
the same time administering Justice TO Mr.. Van
Buren, But the Loco Focos have taken the job
into their own hands, and, by administering JUS
tice' themselves, have deprived the Wings OF a
farther opportunity. We regret this
We are surprised at this turn Of affairs for we
believed Mr. Van Buren, nvinciblc in that Con
vcntion. When last at Washington, month
since, We did indeed perceive influences at work
which seemed likely to defeat hlm but, the mo.
ment we passed out Of that atmosphere. the old
impression returned that IAN could not be thrown:
and this continued up 10 the last moment, IN
spite of daily assurances TO the contrary from our
well-informed Correspondent on the spot. We
thought the pledges, instructions, and selection Of
Delegates for that Convention had formed a wall
which could not be overleaped. The vote on the
twothirds rule first revealed the truth. The Van
Buren, men were not out-mancuvcred on that
vote; they were simply overpowered. OF the l46
votes for Van Buren, all over the lis given for
the majority rule were cast by men who were
bound to support him by instructions, but did not
want him nominated. He at no time had real
majority in the Convention; if he had, he would
have been nominated.
Aud so we part with Martin Van Buren, From
the time we were first interested in politics, in the
Election of 1924, have, boy and man, stood
ardently opposed to him. Condemning and re
sistng the principles and measures of the party
he followed or led, VIC have more especially dis
liked and opposed the impulses and acts of this
man. He has appeared 10 us the excmplar and
chief of sordd poitlcians--of men who recog-
nize in the party s;ries of Free People great
and generous purposes, no idea of improving, in
forming and elcvating the mass OF men, bat
most skilul or least scrupulous player must win
We have opposed him believing that the junto OF
which he has been the master-spirIt have done
much TO debasc the minds of our Young Men
especially, bg teaching them TO regard Success
rather than Truth in their Political action--to
regard indentifcation with the majority the
great end of effort rather than the pursuit OF noble
ends by noble means. Have we Judged Mr.. Van
Buren, too harshlv Have we opposed hun too
bitterly Call TO mind the famous letter address
ed to him in 1928 by SiiaS Wright, and Judge.
That letter was written in the confidence of init
mate Political intercourse. 1t is a key TO the
Joint operations Of the writer and his correspond
ent 1t seems TO us to exhibit palpahy the cha
racter, principles and purposes which have been
embodied in the career of Mr.. Van Buren. So
regarding his course and hun, we may proudly
proclaim that hostility To Martin Van Buren, and
his clique of personal ahcrentS, to their elevation
ascendency and influence, have for years largely
animated and strengthened our more general op-
position 10 their party and TO the measures o
National mischief which II has originated and
upheld. We deemed Mr.. Van Buren, and his
junto not merely wrong in 1921 IN resisting the
strenuous demands of the People of Ncw-A orb
to DC permitted to choose their own Electors OF
President, but grossly cupably wrong; and our
maturer reflections have but confirmed our iuve
nile conviction. The Caucus nomination OF
Crawford by handful of Members, the asspnp.
ton that this was binding on the Democratic
party and the attempt force through that noun.
alton by choosing Electors by the Legislature, and
allowing no voice in that choice TO the People
fixed forever in our mind the character of the
Albany Regency and their Chief. From that
hour, their cant OF Democracy has been 10 Us
but the most loathsomc of shallow hypocrisies.
But we are not incapacitaied by our dislike
from doing justice 10 the better qualities of Mar
tin Van Burcn. Though in some respects
time-server, and capable Of committing or wink.
ing at great wrongs 10 attain higher round on
the ladder OF ambition, he has not been a vindic.
tive potican-has never permitted Political
differences to mar the harmony of Social inter.
course, as some of his unwise opponents have
done-and has we think, been unjustly assailed
as treacherous. We can recall no instance in
which he has no; been faithful TO those who have
trusted him as contederates in the same cause -
He appears of cold temperament, yet he has
strongly attached TO his fortunes most OF those
with whom he was intimately connected in earlier
years, which would seem TO rebut the charge
against HIM of constitutional insinccriy or en-
crossing sel6shness. Probably the future historian
WI! discern IN his character some good qualities
which have escaped the observation al least Of
nus adverse co'emporaries and which justify in
some oegrce the personal devotion of his friends
There is one point on which VIC have not re-
Trained from rendering him JUS, communication
while he was the formidable leader OF a rulipo
party, and of course shall not now Mr.. Van
Buren is by constitution and principle an emi.
nenty peaceful man, and did much, while Prcsi.
don't So,na Sarr,Ece If