Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-04-16
SKETCHES OF THE LIFE OF
MARTIN VAN BUR EN-.

4NAE1AS = AAN S1SN SS4p G4N0
MARTIN VAN BUREN, was born on the
Slh day Of Dscember, l7S1, ne ar the vii
lage of KnderhOOk, 10 the State of New
York. HIsfather, Abraham Van Buren,,
during the resistance which was made 10
the etfors Of Great Britain to force the
inhabitants of the colonies into the condi.
ton Ofvassals, took an carly, and decided
sand in favor Of his country, and against
foreign aggression. The war Of the
Revolution found him firm and uncO ~
promising Whig, and TO the day Of his
death, which happened in 1914, he re-
Inained true TO his ancient principles and
he died, as he lived, christian ana
democrat.
Both the father and mother of Martin
Van Buren were ofa German descent -
Bolh are said 10 have been remarkable
tor strong and sound minds, though
neither had the advantage Of a liberal
education.
In The youthful days Of the subject Of
this sketch, schools were few aud far be-.
twsen, and TO the poorer class Of citizens,
and among whom the family Of Mr.. Van
Buren were ranked, a good education
was next to an impOssbilry. Those who
were able SO 10 d., sent their children to
New York, or to some other OF the large
cities or towns, TO be educated, while
their less fortunate ne'ghbOra we're de-
psh6ent upon schsnce Tor q teacher du-
ring the winter months. TOiling 10 as.
eisl in providing bread for his younger
brothers, Martin Van Buren only went
10 school such days during the winter,
when, from the severity of the weather,
ou, door vol X was rendered impossible.
il was in tie log cabin school house Of
the village, dignIfiod with the title Of The
"Kinderhook Academy" lhatMsrIin Van
Bu,en learned 10 read and TO write.-
The remainder-0 his education was self
taught, aud as he Pored, night after
Oiphl,afle his long days work was done,
aver his hard lesson hard bee use he had
none 10 assist him he early gave evi.
dsnce ofihat perseverance, AID industry
which has SD eminenily distinguished him
in after life.
The father having byfrugality and in
duslry, amasscd Iiule property, he yiel
dsd 10 The inclination OF his s0A, and al.
loved him to study law. While prep2r.
ing for the bar. he supported h mself and
paid ior his tuition by writing in law
"ffice. Preparing for the law. and study
.inv in the same ofice,were several young
men Of wealthy parents, and Mt merous
we're the iokes and sneers which were
cast upon the "Dufeh boy" as they IN
derisioa, called Nj. VaneBuren; and ma
nv were the wonders Of these wiseacres,
when the subject Of this sketch would be
gntbIed 10 pass examination. Tolhem
Il seemed an impossbiliy that one who
made SO little prelensiOn, and who was
compelled SO many hours during the day
tO labor for a subsisl Cnce, ,c"uld ever mss
,sr tie in,ricaces Of The law. They it,
lie knew the many hours Of lsbOr;Ous
atudv which were taken from The time
usually aIloued TO rest, and still less did
tbey know the indOmitable spirit OF the
Eriendless boy The object OF their sneering
sarcasms. Some ofthese men llvad 70
see that same lrlendless "Ou'c" OOy' Oy
hiaOwn merit, raise himself, not only 10
The lhesd Of his profession, but from sta
zion % station, until IN 1881 he was re
ieclsd BY Clsy's influence in iactious
Senate, as Minister to Englaud, TO which
station he vas appointed byGen. Jackson
These Senators who voted 10 reject MI
Van Baren, in the fond hope it would
proge 10 his fui6, all lived to see him
placed, by the voice Of the people as
Vice President Of the UNited States-a
the head OF the verySenate who had :hu'
sought 10 stab his repuiatiOn: and lou
ysars after. many ofthem saw him bY IN
voice Of the sans people, made, Prealden
ofthe United States.
During the latter Of the time Mr.. Va
Buren was preparing for the bar The h'rc
political conflict between The federal an
democratic parlies,and which resulted !
ths election Of Thomas Jefferson to tn
Presidency, was Al lie height. AIthoug
bpl boy II years, Mr.. Van BuEen, tru
alike g The Instinct Of his nature |
xsll AZ % early ltainin ng, took decide