The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-15
Enmity Of Presidents and Vice Presi.
dents for Forty Years.

"Occasional's" Correspondence Of the Press
Speaking of Vice Presidents, it is Gu
rious fact 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 where
he became Chief Magistrate by the death
of the first officer of the government. Mr..
Calhoun and General jackson had an early
and severe difference. Vice President
Richard M. johnson never welded much
power under Mr.. Van Burens administra-
ton. Had Harrison survived there can be
no doubt that Tyler would have been utter
ly ignored, and the same may be said Of
Mr.. Fillmore, who mounted over the coffin
of General Taylor into the presidential
chair. In 1874, 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 distin-
guished favorite occupied so close relation
to the President but MIR. Buchanan, a
shrewd, cautious, scheming politician, To-
Gated at Lancaster, checkmated them, and,
before the fourth of March, l845, had not
only put himself into the department of
state, but had put his rival, Mr.. Dallas,
under a shadow. From that 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 doubtless saved him from similar
modification under the administration OF
President 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. Breckenridge, we had
striking exemplifcation of the fact that it
is almost impossible for the President and
Vice President to agree. From the mo-
ment that James Buchanan entered the
White House, his besetting iIfirmity 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
Constitution intended to make the Vice
President councillor of the President In
fact, his connection with the Senate, and
the vote he receives at the election, ought
to put him before the cabinet {; but the re-
verse has been the case, with very rare eX-
ceptions. Now, the Vice President gener-
ally assumes the relation to the President
that has been occupied in England, for
many years, by the heir apparent to the
reigning monarchy.
One characteristic exception is furnished
to this rule, and that is the manner in which
Old Hickory trusted and cOnfded in Vice
President Martin Van Buren,. Jackson's
friendships were so tenacious, that, whether
he stood by politician in petticoats or in
pantaloons, he 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 the man of iron
nerve mounted the second time to the high
est Office in the world, be caused it to be
understood that his su ccessor should be the
Vice President, and the fiat was carried
out. 1t remains to be seen whether Mr..
Lincoln will initiate jackson, by adhering
to bis Vice President, or whether be will
fall into the rut in which most of his prede-
cessors have followed. Mr.. Hamlin is
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 inspired
with many of the ideas of the old Democra-
cy, and will, doubtless, do all in his
power to liberalize the incoming administra-
ton.