The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-02-28
COM Nj u NlCATION
10 MARTIN VAN BUREN.-NO. A.

conduct You supported Clinton in the earlier
period OF the war, because you expected Mr..
Nladson's administration would be Frustrated by
the embarrassmenls and sufferings of the people.
When, however, you discovered that you had
placed low estimate on their patriotism and ca
pacity for endurance in the cause of the country
when you saw Mr. Madsons administration daily
fortifying itself in the affection and confidence of
the peope-then, with your usual tact, you de-
serted your party, and uniting with the war par
ty, became one of the most yociferous and noisy
DISCLAIMERS of that measure. The writer of this
communication thinks, therefore, that every cir
cumstance attending the protested political con-
version and the real objects of your political con-
duct, which have buoyed you up to your present
high eminence, is of the highest importance at
this juncture Of our political affairs.
In your communications, messages, &C., you
have endeavored to establish a character for con-
sistency. 1t is true at one time you supported
Clinton and opposed Madison, and shortly after
wards opposed Clinton and supported Madison !;
it is true that you was once against the "honest,
intrepid Jackson" and afterwards declared it was
"glory" enough to serve under such chief; 1t
is true you voted for the Tariff policy, which you
now denounce as Federal measure; it is true
that you was once hostile to Southern rights, and
resisted the admission of Missouri into the Union
except upon terms injurious to Southern inter-
ests, and that you now proclaim yourself North
ern man with Southern principles; but in all
these matters and others that might be enumer-
ated, you contend that you were consistent. In
every case of change throughout your political
clreer, it will be found invariably that you either
glned something by the change or anticipated
something. If there can be pointed out one in
stance in which you abandoned party or prin-
ciple without gaining or expecting to gain some
political or other advantage, then | acknowledge
that you have been consistent But it is not
probable that such case can be made out. !
maintain that you have been the most consistent
of politicians You have but one principle to be
consistent with--and that is your interests. You
can be Democrat or Federalist-a friend to
the North or friend to the South-the supporter
of banks and the denouncer of banks-the advo-
cate of Tariff or the author of direct taxation
the advocate of standing army or against it--yet
consistent amid all these mutations; for, with
diversity of means, the end is always the same.
But will take another view of the party with
which you were acting 1t is an established fact
that all of the New England States, with the ex-
ception of Vermont, sustained the election of
Cllnton-together with New York, New Jersey,
and Delaware. The federalists with great una
nirnity in these States rallied in favor Of his cleo
ton They opposed Mr.. Madison's reelection
upon the ground that he had unnecessarily in
volved the country, in what they considered a
ruinous and disastrous war; Now, sir, if you APP
proceed Of the war why did you endeayor to pros-
trate the administration that recommended the
declaration of war. In July, l6l2!.the federalsts
in Congress, published an address Esetting forth
their reasons against the war.
The Clinton party adopted these views as con-
tanned in the address, and every journal in the sup
port of the Clinton party republished them in lam
guage OF the highest commentator. The distin-
guished author, Josiah Quincy, was highly COM
plimented for the ability displayed by him. The
Examiner, journal Of high reputation, then ed
tied by the talented Gardiner, was distinguished
for its hostility to Mr. Madison, and the war, gave
its adherance to the Clinton party--as also an
other journal in Batimore-the Republican. In
such company we find youth 1872 Andiyet, sir,
you preten to boast Vi your JeffersonIan Democ.
racy. Let US contrast your conduct with Jeffer-
son IN 1917 lie says, ''my friendship for Mr..
III ids"n, my confidence in his wisdom and virtue,
aid my appreciation of oil his measures, and espc-
caliy of his taking, at length, The eauntie, gainsl
England, is known to all with whom have cun-
versed or correspondent on those measures
Jefferson to Leiper, VOL d, PIP. 9, 265.
Now, Sir, when the Federal party were denoun-
cling Mr.. Madison, as one destitute of wisdom
as one who had forfeited the confidence Of the
American people--as one who had recklessly
plunged the county into all the calamities of war
YOU stood by and countenanced them in these
assaults on this Republican administration. Far
otherwise was it with Mr.. Jefferson-he gave him
strong and hearty support-sustained him by
his advice and counsel, in all of his trials and diff
culties-and approved of all his measures. But
you say, in 1913, you renowned your political
faith and became Democrat How was this
done BY whose influence was this important
change brought about! At this period Gen. Arm
strong was Secretary of War. He had aspired to
the Presidency-he sought every opportunity to
draw to his support all men of influence and dis
tlnctlon Among those who yielded to his views
OF ambition, you surrendered your independence,
and became one OF his admirers ;-and, according
ly, Immediately after you1conversion, he elevated
you TO an important Office He placed you in the
Office of Judge Advocate, and, from hence. we
date your abandonment of Federal doctrines.
In palliation of your conduct, your friends saw
that In 1911, April 3, at Democratic meeting
held in the city of Hudson, you acted as chairman
of committee which drafted and reported Sc.
ries of resolutions, of which the following is one
"Resolred, That we ntill entertain undeminish-
ed confidence in the integrity, wisdom and patriot
ism of Ja,naa allison President of tho ITnitad