The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-06

| PoLITIcs AND LrTEsATuEE-THE PRESIDENT
As NEWSPAPER WRrrER.-Ths political his
tory of the Emitted States during the first sixty
years of their existence has Jet to be written
The journals, up to recent period, were In the
hands Of small politicians, who used them to
further their own ends, and did not scruple to
publish the vilest personal attacks and the
most odiOus llbels upon the party leaders who
were opposed 10 them. This course was pur.
sued unremittingiy from the time of the elder
Adams up to lsl6, when there was suspension
Of hostilties. They broke out again in 1921,
however and rose to a remarkable height
during Jsckson's administration-the old
soldier proving in the end a match for all his
prosecutors. Since 1886 we have witnessed the
rise of the independent press, and consequent
decline Of party journals. The great newspa-
per now Is the best history for the people, and
the future compiler will find ample materials
at his hand. The missing link in the chain cs0
only be supplied by those statesmen who par.
ticipated in the politics of the country previous
to 1886, and who view the events of those days
without trace of personal prejudice. We
have already some contributions from distin-
guished statesmen, who, after their retirement
from the cares of Office, or the tolls aud con-
tests in the political arena, have employed
their leisure hours il jotting down their remi-
niscences and giving valuable sketches of their
confreres. Among these we have the recollec
tons Of Mr. Calhoun and of Mr.. Benton-the
latter more sitter the manner Of personal remi-
niscences than the former. And it has always
been mystery to us why Mr. Van Buren, has
not contributed to our political annals. No
man is more capable Of writing the history Of
the rise, progress and tall Of the democratic
party than he. and Nc. Van Buren
might give us a most interesting sketch of the
first Albany Regency, which would be found
to be striking contrast to the present concern
The old Regency was composed Of able states
men, like MIR. Van Buren, himself. and therefore
far above sueh fellows as Richmond. Csgger
and Cassidy whose greatest achievements have
consisted in publishing private letter from
Governor Wise. cheating all their friends and
humbuegDg poor old Dickinson by persuading
him that be was to have the Charleston nomi-
nation.
Perhaps Mr.. Van Buren, may be moved to
take up bis pen when he hears that bis old
friend, Mr.. Buchanan, intends to appear in the
field of letters. 1t had been rumored that the
President intended to write bis "reminiscences
after he retired from public life. and now It
seems, by the following letter to the immortal
Bonner, that Mr.. Buchanan. like Mr.. Everett,
will make his first essay in the columns Of q
newspaper. Bonner, purposing to publish q
number Of sketches Of eminent statesmen,
writes to the President, requesting from
him some account of Mr.. Lowndes, Of South
Carolina, who was in Congress with Ar. Blu
chanan forty years ago, and the following IL
the Presidents reply
WASHINGTON, Sept. s, 1850.
NJ DrAa sa-I have received your favor Of tn. 81
inst ana shall most cheerfully comply with your
quest, and furnish you sketch Of the life Of William
Lowndes ~ soon = possible lie ". one OF the grea.
our country and yet his memory has been sadly neglect
ed The truth that my public duties occupy my whole
alter he adjournment Of Congress; but 10 tins have
been disappointed not before. hope 70 Furnish you
the sketch soon Aner the eth OK March. Ins rom me
Yours very re respectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN.
RoBsn BONNER, ESq.
We trust that this sketch will be succeeded
by others of the old schoo, Of statesmen, 90
that the rising generation may see that the
halls Of Congress were not always throaged
with spoilsmen and demsgogues.
William Lowndes Is not the only great man
whose memory has been sadly neglected Z
and II should be the delight Of their colleagues
whose lives are yet spared to give TO the
world come account Of their public and pri-
vate characters The retired statesman can a.
ways find fame a. well as consolation in the
pursuit OF li.eratGre-a profession which
happily elevated above Ire level Of the beg
carly politicians Of tie day. The public reaps
great benefit also Il ne solid contributions
Of men like Buchanan, Everett or Bancroft,
and the piquant gossip and plessan. anecdotes
which are furnished by light writers IKE the
Chevalier wicSof. The will all be welccms.