The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-16

POLITICS AND LFTERATuRE-TH PRESInEST AZ A
NEWSPAPER WRITER The political history o. 'le
United States during the first sixty years OF tisn
existence las yet to be written. Inc lournais' ~
10 A recent period were in the hands OF nan p,l-
tcians who used them 70 further their own ems.
and did not scruple Ia publish tue west persohh
attacks and the most odious hbels upon tie parry
LEADERS who were opposed % them' lhS course
was pursued nnremtt!ngly nom me tme ol the
elder Adams up % lsi6, when l1efe was q sus-
pension of hostlitics. They broke ont again IN
is94 however, and rose 10 a remarkable height
during Jackssns administration old sol
der proving IN the end a match Tor all ms per
secutors Since 1886 We have witnessed the rise
OF the independent press, and consequent de-
cline Of party journals. The great newspaper
nov i the best history for the people, and the
future compiler will lind ample materials AT his
hand. The missing links in the chain can
only be supplied by those statesmen who partici-
pateo in the politics OF the country previous TO
1886 and who view the events Of those days with
out trace Of personal prejudice. We have al
ready some contributions from distinguished states
men who. after their retirement from the cares of
office, the tolls aud contests i'll the political
ma. have employed their leisure hours in jotting
down their "reminiscences and giving valuable
sketches OF their confreres. Among these we have
the recollections OF hr. Calhoun and of Mr.. Ben
ton-the latter more after the manner Of personal
"Reminiscences than the former. And 1t has always
been mystery 20 us why Dir. Van Buren, has not
contributed 70 our political annals. No man is more
capable of writing the history OF the rise, progress
and fall of the democratic party than he, and Mr. Van
the first Albany Regency, which would be found
20 be a striking contrast to the present concern.
The old Regency was composed OF able statesmen,
like Mr.. Van Buren, himself aud therefore tar above
such fellows as Richmond, Cagger aud Cassidy,
whose greatest achievements have consisted in
publishing private letter from Gov. Wise, cheating
all their friends and humbugging poor old Dickin-
son by persuadng him that he was to have the
Charleston nomination
Perhaps Mr.. Van Buren, may be moved TO take
up his pen when he hears that his old friend. Mr.
Buchanan intends 20 appear IN the field OF letters
IL had been rum0rcd that the President intended to
write his "reminiscences after he retired from pub
Tic life and now IL seems by the following letter
to the immortal Bonner. that Nj Buchanan, like
Mr. Everett, will make his first SAY IN the columns
of newspaper. Bonner, purposing 10 publish
number ofsketches OF eminent statesmen, writes to
the President, requesting from him some account
of Mr.. Lowndes, of South Carolina. who was in
Congress with Mr.. Buchanan forty years ago, ands
the following 10 the Presidents reply
WASHINGTON, sept. 8, 1850.
Mt DxAR sR-T have received your favor Of the 81
ana furn ish yon sketch of the life Of william Lowndes
possible. lie WAS one OF the greatest, wisest
and purest ttstesmen that have adorned
try and Jet bis memory has been sadly neglected Toe
truth Ia that my pUbo duties occupy my whole time Al
present had hoped might enjoy some leisure after
The adjournment OF Congress- in this have been
appointed II before hope 10 furnish yoa the sketch
soon after the Alb Of March. This from viii be ri
butte not only 70 Justice, but to gratitude Yoars very
RoasrT Bossrs, Esq
We trust that this sketch will be succeeded by
Others OF the old school Of statesmen, so that the
rising generation may see that the halls Of Congress
were not always thronged with spoilsmen and
demagogues.
William Lowndes is not the only great man whose
memory has been sadly neglected, and il should
be the delight Of their colleagues whose lives are
yet spared 10 give 20 the world some account of
their public and private chara :tcrs The retired
statesman can always find fame well az consola-
ton in the pursuit OF l:erature-a profession
which is happily elevated above the level of the
beggary politicians Of the day. The public reaps
a great benefit also in the solid contributions OF
men like Buchanan. Everett or Bancroft. and the
piquant gossip and pleasant anecdotes which are
furnished Ivy light writers like the Chevalier
Wikoa They viii all be welcome.