Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-11
"oceasionai's" CorreIpondeuoe Of the Pre1a,
RumiiE Of Prcsidsuts and Vice PresldspssI Ist
III n III I IL n......L 49, N l. = Il Il.

Speaking Of Vice Presidents, it is Curl
Gus fact that for forty years past the Vice Pres
dent has either bssh.a &C eamify With the Pres
dent o. has been lost sight OF IN the distri.-
button o. patronage, except when be became
Inlet Magistrate by tbe death of the hrst
officer ct the government Mr.. Calhoun and
General Jackson had an early and severe
difference Vice President Richard NJ. John
son never welded much power under Mr.,
/ Van Bnren's administration. bad Harrison
survived, there can be no doubt that john
/ Tyler would have been utterly ignored, and
the same may be said Of Mr.. Fillmore, who
mounted ever the coffin of General TaylOr
luto the Presidential chair 10 1874, when
l Polk and Dallas were. elected, the friends Of
theiattet in Pennsy ylSanis exulted ia the pros
pect Of controlling the patronage Of the
Federal Government because their justly dis.
tinguished favorits occupied 50 close rela-
tion to TIE President bUt Mr. Buchanan,
q shFeWd, cautions, scheming politician, To-
Gated at Lancaster checkmated them, and,
before the 4th Of March, ls45, had not only
put himself into the Depar 7naent Of State, but
had put his rival, Mr.. Dallas, under a shadow.
From. Ibis day. 70 the expiration Of the term
OF President Polk, AR. Dallas had no influence
whatever. The early death Of the venerable
William RtKlng dOubtless saved him from a
similar modification under the administra-
ton Of President Pierce.
ip 1886, when the favOrite son OF PegnsYl-
vania was chosen 10 tie high position be
nov occupies 10 company with the young
keutuckian, John q. Breckinridge, lie had
styiking disqualification Of the taet that it is
almost impossible for the President aud the
Vice President 10 agree, From the
moment that James Boehsuan entered the
Hhite House, his hesetting infrmity seemed
to be suspicion Of all his old friends and
jealousy OF bis handsome Vice President In
vain did the friends OF the latter sppeal for
patronage. They were coldiy and haughtily
excluded. The framers Of the Constitution
intended to make the Vice President a eoun-
sellor Of the President In fact, his con-
neciiOn With the Senate, and the vote be re-
ceived at the election, oughtto put him before
the Cabinet but the reverse has been the
case WithIyery 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 ap
parent 10 the TeigninR monarchy.
One characteristic exception is furnished to
this rule, and that Is the manner in which
Old Hickory trusted and con6ded in Vice
President Martin Van Buren. Jackson's
friendships were so tenacious; that, whether be
he stood by politician in petticOats or in
psutaloOnss be rarely gave up one to whom
he was attached. Van Buren, was not only
his intimate and confidential friend, but his
daily counsellor; and when tue man of iron |
nerve mounted the second tinet the highest |
Office in The world, be caused it to be under |
stood that his successor should be the Vice |
President, and the fat was carried out. 1t !
remains to be seen whether Mr.. Lincoln will |
initiate jackson, BY adhering to his Vice
President, or whether be viii tau into the |
rut in which most Of his predecessors h5ve |
followed. Mr. Hamlin is safe, experienced, !
and thoughtful man; anold 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 inspired with many Of the ideas of the |
old Democracy, and will doubtless, do all in |
his power to liberalize the incoming Admins
trati0n.