Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-23

for part his term and Governor Of New York for the
rest. And it is notorious that he the soul and Of
the opposition TO Mr. Adamss administration and that he did
than any other defeat his reelection, and
bring in Gen. Jackson. These facts which even short
memories retain. Gen. Jackson was chosen and Mr.
Van Buren, became his Secretary Of State In July, 1922
Mr. McLane sent out Minister to England, with nstruc
tons to arrange the disputed questions concerning the Colo
nial West India trade Mr. Adams had taken high ground
this subject He had claimed right Of reciprocity that
products ships should be admitted into the West
ndia ports the with the English, since Great
Britain enjoyed the privilege OF having her goods in her
Ships brought ports the conditions as though
brought in American vessels Mr. Adams took high and
austere ground this NATTER one of right the prnc
pies Of reciprocity But The English Government would
bear to it and Mr. Van Buren, told Mr. McLane in his in
sucons yield the point the ground Of rght-to dsclaim
the preensons Of Mr.. Adams and he then on say
that the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is, Gen. Jacksons admnis,ra.
uonought not to be repulsed from the enjoyment Of that
which he willing to call boon, privilege, account
of the msbehavor of Mr. Adass administration That was
the sum and substance Of il ALL
Well, gentlemen, Of the most painful duties that has
ever devolved Representative Senator Of my
country in Congress refuse the confrma
ton OF Mr.. Van Burens subsequent nomination as Minister
to England. But conceived it to be thing in this
country, in the diplomatic history Of any other country
that when new party happened to come into power il should
repudate the dongs of its predecessors its intercourse with
foreign Powers To abandon ground of right held and
maintained for years. and receive what sought
privilege boon, held to be undgnifed unworthy Of
an American statesman, derogaoy to the national American
character. When it happened that entered the Department
Of State, under Gen. HARRISON found many things which
could have wished to be otherwise. But did any
thing that my predecessor had advanced Not particle
not ot or title took the he left it; and should
have held myself dsgraced if had Suppose for in
stance, with regard to the boundary treaty with England,
had said to Lord Ashburton, Pay my lord consider that
sensible people than predecessors only
fleet how much more amiabe, friendly, and humble am
than Mr. Forsyth was and therefore accord this
that BOOM" what would have been the public feeling
need not say.
But gentlemen this subject of resistance to the slave
power would BY no means do any injustice to Mr. Van
Buren, and if he has up the opinions laid down in
the Buffalo PLATFORM am glad Of it. And of his party,
what has been his party he much the less dangerous
candidate of the two. But looking his and con-
duct while he President Of the United States, | am
amazed that he should be found the head party claim
ing above all Others to be the friends Of liberty. Why,
what the first thing for him declare, after having been
elected to the Presidency but that fCongess should pass
bill to abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia, he would
veto it. That is the first instance am acquainted with Of
veto in advance In his inaugural message, in 1887, Mr.
Van Buren, said
81 go into the Presidential chair the nfexble and
Consrsss to avsr bs aem M Gm Ge part
the wishes of the sayehoding States and also with deter-
nation equally decided to resist the slightest interference with
IT in the States where it exists"
And in his Inaugural he adds
81 submitted also to my eow-citizens with llness and
ankness the which led this determination.
The result authorizes to believe that they have been APP
proved and confded by majority of the people of the
United States including those whom they most Immediately
affect.
cit only remains to add that no bill conflicting with
these views receive my constitutional sanction"
There is his declaration.
In the next place you know and remember, that Mr..
Van Burens casting vote given in the Senate TO
sure of doubtful prope, which empowered stmasters
to openihe mails to look after and suppress any documents
in opposition slavery. will say that Congress has no
right pass such law, but its passage certainly indicates
quite sufficient degree Of Difference to the feelings and wishes
OF the South Let me not be misunderstood So far
CARDS the life and property Of our Southern fellow citizens
they may be actually endangered far agree that
be proper for Congress to its legislative powers
TO prevent any such result
But, gentlemen, in this country has exercised a
controlling influence the conduct of his friends in
relation to this matter than Mr. Van Buren,. take il that
OF the most important events in history has
been the annexation of Texas And Mr. Van Buren,,
where was be then Where was he He had formerly
been at the head of the Spols payhe not then,
least the head Of the Free so party And every friend
of Mr. Van Buren,, in Congress- far know, supported
this scheme of annexation The two New York Senators ia
vored it and allow me to say that men but the Wings,
party but the Wing pay-and say this TO the whole
word-opposed that Of annexation. There
body sary but the Wing party, which firmly and steadily
resisted that annexation
And now they-the gentlemen at Buiialo-aIk about the
dcaton Of the slave power. They talk of i'll don't They
talk Of the triumph Of the South over the North There
word Of truth in it. say, upon my conscience that
evil the influence Of the slave institution is the North has
borne her full share and part in that evil Northern
have been given for every instance of projected slave increase
And gentlemen, talk OF the Norh-but there has
North, at least not for years past think the North
has last been discovered but up the close Of the late
sion Of Congress there has been no North.
We have read in Pope,
"Ask where's the North-at York tits on the Tweed,
In Scotland at the Orcades, and there
At Greenland, Zembla or the Lord knows where"
And If il is meant to inquire Where the North wi
by the North is indicated firm, sod substantial resistance
the extension Of savery any such place existed
il was-the Lord knows where / do not.
In the year 1874 the Democrats Of the Noh the friends
Of Mr.. Van Buren,, let in Texas. All the Wings in the Sen
ate, with two exceptions resisted that annexation
Ten Southern Wing Senators voted against it, and only
for it. But these Southern Wing votes against the scheme
annexation ovepowered by the of the Free
Democrsts-New England Democrats among the If
had been for these New England Texas would have
been Of the Union this day. II New England Senators
had been true to the Of liberty and the country
Southern Wings were, Texas would be Texas still.
There four New England gentlemen in the Senate who
supported the Administration in this from
Maibe two from New Hampshire, and from Connect
cu-one who had held high office under Mr.. Van Buren,.
Theyhese four men-voed for the proposition and TO LET
in Texas against the votes and wishes OF the Southern and
Northern Wings
Gentlemen, when several Northern members Of Congress
in 1918 voted in favor Of the socaed Missouri Compromise
against the known will OF their constituents they called
"doughfaces" For my part, fellow citizens, afraid
that the generation Of doughces will be perpetual The
generation OF men,
In 1874, all know Mr.. Van Buren, was candidate
a. D.. II