Arkansas intelligencer. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1842-1859, 1844-02-10
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY MoRNNc FEBRUARY 1874


MIR, CLAW in preference to MIR. Van Buren,. For
myself, can conceive no greater calamity to the
nation, or deeper discredt to the cause and vorv
name of popular government, than tho re.election
of Mr.. Van Buren, would be, after the signal and
overwhelming majority by which he was so 70.
Gently deposed from power, upon tho fullest can.
vass of his measures, policy, and conduct.
Inc host OF vIndictIVe passions which follow in
the train of restored Governmen,s-,he crowds
OIL hungry retainers, pleading the merit of pas,
services who press forward to claim tho rowa I'd
OF their fidelity or indemnity for sacrifices and
losses incurred in the common cause.-the infatua.
ted and pertinacous attachment to ancient abuses
the arbitrary and self-wed habits nurlured in
The former possession OF power--the commitment
10 tavorte but pernicious schemes of policy, have
all occurred 10 give sort of Proverbial currency
to the remark of celebrated English statesman
and historian that the worst and most dangerous
of all revolutions is restoration.* That these
evils would be realized to the widest extent. and
IN their most unmtigated virulence, in the reso-
ration of Mr.. Van Buren,, none can doubt who
have been attentive Observers Of the selfish and
vicious system of party policy exempfed in the
creed and conduct Of himself and friends or who
have not forgotten that memorable motto of PARTY
rapacitcy, so boldly emilia zoncd on the shields of
hls chosen followers, which, in proclaiming TO
the rictors belong tho spoils of victory" shame.
lessly pointed to the offices and pubic trusts of
the country as the rightful plundcr Of political
warfare.
But to return to the remark | have aIread
made. Could any thing infict a deeper wound
on the cause Of republican institutions than such
n spectacle of levny and instability on the part
OF the constituent body would be exhibited in
the restoration of Mr.. Van Buren,. after tho over
whetmIhg condemnation of his administration
pronounced by the almost unanimous electoral
voice of tho country but three short years oco
Would 1t not render popular government itself a
"by word aud taunt' among the nations In
iSlo, the American people, upon the fullest and
mos: deliberate hearing Of both sides of the poll.
teal controversy-of the friends as well as In,
opponents Of Mr.. Van Buren-rrcordeI their
votes against him by such majority as novor
before ign1lizcd the Of any minister from
power, and was TIL then, utterly unparalleled
and even unapprOached. in tho history of our
Presidential contests. OF the twenty-six States
composing tho Union. he received tho votes of
but seven. and all Of these Except ono) anon,
the smallest of tho COnfcderacv: Of the two hun
bred and nincty-tour votes of tho electoral col
leges, he obtaIned but sixty; and Of the popular
suiiragcs, majority of AS ,OOO, out of tie free
and enlightened citizens Of America who voted in
Inc e'ect'"n, gave in their accumulated verdict
against him. And yet. in the face of this solemn
iindinS OF the great inquest of tho body of the
hhtl"n-whc the echo Of the general voice
which pronounced II has not vet dot upon the car
IA bold attempt is made to induce the people to
take back their own settled and we'll considered
Judgment, and in elevating ag in to the hgrs, of.
flee OF the republic the individual whom they had
50 recently and deliberately deposei. pronounce
fragrant sentence of qualification and incompetence
upon themselves. | know not in what light other
minds may view such proceeding; but to me it
seems contemptuous sporting with the sovereign
constituency of tho country--a sheer mockery
and insult to tho public Intelligence.
And by what means Is Mr.. Van Buren 10 be
again presented as the legitimate and unoin,ed
candidate OF tho Democratic party! Not certain
ly by the will of the great body of tho party,
who, we have every reason TO believe, deprecato
and deplore the madness and folly of tho act but
by the secret and invisible agency of self.cons,l
tuted conclares and .caucuses, controlled with alb
soute sway by few bold and adroir political
managers. run no risk in saying tina, if tho in
dividuals composing tho party throughout the
Union could DO Intercepted. upon the roir dire,
to say whom they would prefer the Presidon-
tial nominee of the party, three fourths Of them
at the least, and probably far larger proportion
would unhestatingy declare their preference for
some new candidate. IND yet in utter contempt
of the popular sentiment of the party, and dis.
dainfully rejecting the only equitable as we'll as
practicable mode of arriving at the will of the ma,
iority through the medium of fair, equal, and uni
form popular representation in tho nominating
Convention, the friends of Mr.. Van Buren, (hoId.
ing on to that old machinery Of party discipline and
subordnaton, derived 10 them from the cunning
order of the Josuits through the bloody Jncobini,
cal Clubs of Revolutionary France, by which one
or two active spirits are enabled to suppress the
will nd control the movements of vast and entire
bodies of men) imper ,ousIy declare that he, anu
he only. shall be the candidate OF The party. Is
i; not time that honorable and patriotic men, MS
hey respect the dignity Of Their own characters
The iyilegcs of freemcn, and tho sacred primer
Mes of Republican Government. should unite il
i ono generous and virtuous struggle to overthrow
effsciually and forever, the tyranny OF system
which, if now submitted to, must hnally CONVEX
our noble popular institutions into tho worst o
Int Of n n crlnulnlS nd SOr