Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-11-03
FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 3, lsls
(f'or the Daily Free Press.)
NtfNnrR ".

NUMBER ".
The position OF NJ Van Buren, before the
world is not very cnviable. Men of high no.
tions Of honor would not be willing to place
themselves in such a questionable position. lie
has voluntarily placed himself at the head of a
faction without even hope of attaining the
professed object, and with the least possible
chance of contributing to any national benefit.
What his actual motives are. may be coniectur-
ed but is not worth the labor OF any enquiry
Smar,ing under the disgrace Of being repud-
ated by his political friends in 1874, he may be
actuatcd by spirit Of revenge. But whatever
NAV be his motives or lis object, he is fated to
experience the most signal rebuke that ever
awaited any doomed man--to receive the curses
of his late political lrends-the reprobation OF
political opponents, and the scorn and derison
ct all. II there l. man in America that in-
dugcs any hostile feeling toward him, they will
soon be more than saaed.
The history Of iIr.N. b. is sort of continued
state trial, with uninterrupted convictions. His
nomination as Minister to England was rejected
.
a vote as renders it signal rebuke. Bat, as
minated, the Democracy took him up and
made him President in 1886 In the short space
of four years he so far forfeited the confidence
of the country, that in 1910, he was driven from
power bv a most astounding vote. This vote
was not confined to Wings, but thousands Of
the Democracy Joined to swell the verdict. In
1911 he was again brought forward by his
friends and partizans but what was the result ?
IL was rejected by the party, and man put III
nomination comparatively unknown. Having
had the election but for one term, it was urged
by his particular friends that he was entitled to
a re nomination, but the party was memorable
and he was thrust aside.
What the actual reasons are that caused his
rejection may never be certainly known, and
probably but few will take the trouble to en-
quire. 1t may have been an excmplitication OF
the remark of Lord Mansfield, that cunning is
the siliest thing in the world, and the peculiar
quality so generally conceded to him, may have
become odlous to his political associates. Cold
calculating, and selfish, without any of tina,
il attracts it is not wonderful hat his adherent-
had become sick of his service and were vii.
I ling TO be released.
1t is now insisted by some of his present ad-
herenis that his rejection in lSil was OCCASION
ed by his hostility on the slave question. There
never was a greater mistake. When had he
omitted ANYTHING that the South could ask OF
him ? So far from emitting anything, he had
become mira in his devotion until the very mai
? bags were subjected TO their police. By his
known snbscrviency he had acquired the equvo'
cal coanomcn of the northern man with southern
feelings. aud seemed proud of the distinctlon.-
He admitted that Congress had the constltu
! tonal power to abolish slavery in the district o.
Columbia bnt proclaimed that he would veto
f any bill enacting lis adjustment. What powel
had he to veto such bill, except on the grounc
. Of its unconstutionaity 1t would have beer
violation of his duty. lis hostility to the
. slave power could not be great if he was viii
c ling to violate the constitution to sustain it.
1t is understood that Mr.. V. leu, BIZ name
e and influence, and probably his VOTE 10 aid II
e the election of Mr.. Polk. This is inconsister
i with the idea of any settled hostility to slavery
= or slave influence. While resident he rejected
the ovcrtures of TrXas for admission, but The
f rejection had nothing to do with slavery. ]
L was on the ground that war was then existing be
tween Texas and NJ Xico, and that the tGite'
e States were at peace with Mexico, and his sub
t sequent letters show, that the war being at Al
e end, he was not uniayoralc to the admission
: Of Texas to the Union. Ills present hostilit!
n TO slavery is assumed for the occasion, and is
preteAt got up to create a party, or rattle
: to draw around an old party, the fanatic
y of the liberty party, II his object is to create
. diversion in one or the other of the leading par
J. ties he may succeed but that he can have tn
least hope Of gaining anything like resPecta
u bic vote, is impossible lie may possibly obtail
the vote Of some one State, and thus bring hi
&c uame before Congress. but that is doubtful
u Bat surprising he gets the electoral vote
+, one S,ate-can that satisfy the ambition Of a
:, honorable man who has no sinister views, an
Al seeks only to advance hi, couniry's good?
n he has become insensible to the ignomny {
IT, such position, bis friends should have mere
p, On him and forbid the immolatior.
L. There is something al caPa"dam in III
" name now assumed by the Free Soil party. Bl
Of in its or gin, the party had nothing to do wit
c. the slave question: free soil, nor any such gray
natter. The Tree soil is but a reproduction
S BrniuHerS one of those significant iacuor
wlc sprung into existence in the spoHs sta
TOR the purpose Of snatcnlng from GA iiunke
lrna share at least of tie pi0pder. The I"
factions both appeared at Baltimore, and we
ol arrayed as antagonists before the Democrat
ID Convention, but not lisp did we hear of FRI
oi soil, Of slavery, or Of any such profound que
e, GU lion. Tie struggle was far power each elair
ing to be the representatives of the pure dem
cratic party. 1Illhe Baruburners having te'