New-York daily tribune., 1856-07-23
THE VAN BURENS.

To he Editor Of he NJ Y Tribune.
SIR: Permit q Free-Sol Democrat to ssy few
words in your columns, suggested by the late speech
Of Mr. John Van Buren in the Park. In l5S your cor
respondent supported Martin Van Buren, on the plat
form Of Free Soil, Free Speech and Free Men. The
occasion for that platform and party known to all
TIE question then the right and duty Of Congress
to prohibit by legislation the extension OF Slavery into
Territories Gen. Cas-, the Democratic nominee had
taken the ground that Congress had no right to egs-
late for Territories, and had found out that all the
written authority given to Congress only enabled them
to make rules and regulations concerning the public
lands in the Territories bence the origin of Squater
Sovereignty. At this point no leading Democrat had
svowed desgn TO tolerate the extension of Slavery,
and 40 platform ennncia,ed this object yet it was sus
pected that in some quarters the project was enter
tained, and it was thought night and proper to take
steps to prevent the possibility Of Slavery exten-
sion by large portion of the Democratic party-ant
Martin Van Buren nominated, and accepted the
issue pres nted by the position taken by Gen. Cas-,
wi o5e supporters denounced the Van Burens, father
and SON. denying to them all credit for political n-
teery and charging their motives to be wholly per-
p, nal and yindictiye The changes were sounded IN
prose and eoggerel on Daddy, the load of hay, and
son John. ~
But subseouent events have shown 10 the world that
the suspicion of many of the Democrats at that time
was not grOundess and that then the project OF the
extension of Slavery vas entertained Dy certain Pot
cal leaders TO gam favor WIN tne o'c ocoIec. but
crOupd was 10 be broken stealihily and the Demo-
cratic party was TO be ndOctnated by small doses to
embrace me asure repugnant to their former creed
arc the upholdpg of liberty the world over. Eight
years have scarcely passed when this secret design Is
h,lly deyeloped subterfuge is no longer used and a
party stl calling themselves the Democracy have put
foti Slsveryextensicr platform, and placed thereon
a Candidate who not only approves every plank, but,
taking hs words, has lost his identity, and by
some ma. ic ,ransubstsDtiaton has become woOthed
and il the platform itseif.
But where are father snd son aud the load OF hay
now Supporting this candidate aud platform In
'4s they o-cshized Free-So patty 10 guard against
even the gossl5ifty of the extension OF Slavery In
SO they are supporting party aud their candidate
wLot avowei object to extend Slavery iHto Kansas
uooer this very law of Squatter Sovereignty, orgl-
mated by Gen. Cass, and which they zeal ,usy op.
posed see Degu rrean Artist has lately ysucceeded
l. skeiciDg views Of tie bottom OF deep waters and
could the artist sketch the extraordinary political stti
tudes of father snd SOD, he would make fortune.
Ho the father looked when under the load 0t hay
and row the eon now looks who in attempting 10 get
father ont has got under the load himself Your cor
ieepOndent might sit for picture aso only to chow
how Ffee. Soil Democrat looks when be 10 trying 70
ccQaiesce in measures ard resolutions abhorent u hs
feelings and conscience. To get Democrats 70 say
they scque was to get them to the haway mouse
the roao for the extension of Slavery. put sh.s
hs,fwsy iouse has few occupants at present ny
rave all left, and supporting resi h E n..
nle AZ ures, and 90 for Free soil, Free SPseon, '
snd Fremont.
JuilI