Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-03-06
''oecasonars" Correspondence Of the Press.
Enmity Of Presidents and Vice Presidents for
lof Forty Years.

Speaking Of Vice Presidents, Il is curious
fact that Tor forty years past the Vice President
has either been at enmity with the President, or
has been lost sight Of In the distribution o!
patronage, except when he became Chief Mag
istrate by the death Of the frst officer of che
government. Mr.. Calhoun and General Jack
son had an early and severe difference. Vice
President Richard M. Johnson never welded
much power under Mr.. Van Buren's adminis-
tration. Had Harrison survived, there can be
no doubt that John Tyler would have been ut
terly ignored, and the same may be said Of Mr..
Fillmore, who mounted over the coffin of Gen
eral Taylor into the Presidential chair. In
1644, when Polk and Dallas were elected, the
friends of the latter in Pennsylvania exulted In
the prospect of controlling the patronage OF the
Federal Government, because their Justly dis
tiDguished favorite occupied so close relation
TO the President; but Mr.. Buchanan, a shrewd,
cautious, schem!Dg politician, located at Lam
easter, checkmated them, and, before the 4th Of
March, l645, had not only put himself into the
Department Of State, but had put his rival, Mr..
Dallas, under shadow. From this day TO the
expiration Of the term Of President Polk, Mr..
Dallas had no influence whatever. The early
death Of the venerable William R. King doubt
less saved him frsm a similar modification un-
der the administration of President Pierce.
In 1856, when the favorite son of Pennsylva-
MIA was chosen to the high position he now oc.
cupies, In company with the young Kentuckiau,
John G. Breckinridge, he had q striking exem-
plifcation of the fact that 1t is almost impossi-
BILE for the President and the Vice President
to agree. From the moment that James Buch
anan entered the White House, his besetting
infrm ity seemed to be- suspicion Of all his old
friends, and jealousy of the handsome Vice
President. In vain did the friends of the latter
appeal for patronage. They were coldly and
haughtily excluded. The trainers Of the Consti.
tuition intended to make the Vice Presiden. a
counsellor Cf the President. In fact, his con-
nection with the Senate, and the vote he receives
at the election, ought to put him before the
Cabinet; but the reverse has been the case, with
very rare exceptions. Now, the Vice President
generally assumes the relation to 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 confded in Vice President
Martin Ven Buren,. Jackson's friendships were
so tenacious, that, whether he stood by poll
tician In petticoats or in pantaloons, he rarely
gave up one to whom he was attached. Van Bu.
rem was not only his intimate and confidential
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 to be
understood that his successor should be the Vice
President, and the fiat was carried out. II re-
mains to be seen whether Mr.. Lincoln will imi-
tate Jackson, by edhering to his Vice President,
or whether he will fab into the tut in which most
of bis predecessors have followed. Mr.. Hsmlin
is safe, experienced, and thoughtful man, az
old Democrat, who, during his connection with
the Democratic party, exercised very great POW.
er in New England, and was cherished as among
the most elective and trusted of our leaders.
He is still inspired with many Of the ideas of
the old Democracy, and will. doubtless, do all
in bis power to liberalize the incoming Admins.
tration. - .4i