The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-03-29
Enmity Of Presidents and Vice Presi.
dents for Forty Years.


Speaking Of Vice Presidents, il is a Gu.
rious fact that for forty years past the
Vice President has either been at enmity
with the President. or has been lost sight
OF in the distribution OF patronage, except
when he became Chief Magistrate by the
death Of the first officer Of the government.
Mr.. Calhoun and General Jackson had an
e,rly and a severe difference. Vice Pres.
ldent Richard NJ. johnson never welded
much power under Mr. Van Buren's
administration Had Harrison survived,
there can be no doubt that John Tyler
would have beer utterly ignored, and The
same may be said Of Mr.. Fillmore, who
mounted over The coffin Of General Tay-
lor into the Presidential chair. In 1914,
when Polk and Dallas were elected, the
friends OF the latter in Pennsylvania ex.
ulted in tie prospect of controlling the
patronage Of the Federal Government, be-
cause their justly distinguished favorite
occupied so close relation to the Presi-
dent but Mr.. Buchanan, q shrewd, eau.
tious, scheming politician, located at Ian.
caster, cht ckmatcd them, and before the
4th OF March, l545, had not only put
himself into the Department Of State, but
had put his rival, Mr.. Dallas, under a
shadow. From this day 10 the expiration
of the term Of President Polk, Mr.. Dallas
had no influence whatever. The early
death Of the venerable William R. King
doubtless saved him from n similar NOR.
| tification under the administration Of Pres.
ident Pierce.
In 1856. when the favorite son Of Penn
sylvania was chosen TO the high position
he now occupies, in company with the
young Kentuckian, John G. Breckinridge,
he had striking exempli6cation of the
fact that il is almost impossible for the
President and Vice President to agree.
From the moment that James Buchanan
entered the White House, his besetting
in6rmty seemed TO be suspicion OF all his
old friends, and jealousy Of his handsome
Vice President. In vain lid the friends
Of the latter appeal for patronage. They
were coldly and haughtiw excluded
The trainers OF the Constitution intended
TO make the Vice PresideHt counsellor
of the President. In fact: his connection
with the Senate, and The vote he received
at the election, ought 10 put him before
the Cabinet; but the reverse has been
the case, with very rare exceptions. Now,
the Vice President generally assumes the
relation 10 the President that has been
occupied in England, for many years, by
the heir apparent to the reigning mon
archy. !.
One characteristic exception is furnished
to this rule, and that is the manner in
which Old Hickory trusted and con6ded
10 Vice President Martin Van Buren,
Jackson's friendships were SO tenacious,
that, whether he stood by politician in
pet'icoats or in pantaloons, he rarely gave
up one 10 whom he was attached. Van
Buren, was not only his intima ate aud con :
6dential friend. but his daily counsellor
and when the man Of iron nerve mounted
the second time to the highest office in
the world, he caused it 10 be understood
that his successor should be the Vice
President, and the fat was carried out. -
Ii remains TO he seen whether Mr.. Lincoln
will initiate Jackson, by adhering to hill
Wee President or whether he will fall
into the rut in which most OF his prede
cessors have followed. Mr.. Hamlin is 9
safe, experienced and thoughtful man, an
old Democrat, who. during his connection
with the Democratic party. exercised very
great power in New England. and was
cherished as among the most effective and
trusted OF our leaders. He is still in
spired with many Of the ideas of the old
Democracy, and will doubtless do all il
his power to liberalize the Incoming Ad
minsiration.