Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-07
PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS.

Speaking of Vice Presidents, it is curious
fact that for forty years past, the Vice-Prcsi-
dent has been at enmity with the President, or
has been lost sight of in the distribution of pat
ronage, exceptwhere he became chief magistrate,
by the death Of the fest officer of the govern
ment. Mr. Calhoun and General Jackson had
an early and severe difference. Vice President
Richard Nj. Johnson never welded much pow
er under Mr. Van Buren's administration. Had
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 over the coffin of Gen. Taylor into
the Presidential chair. In 1914, when Polk
ana Dallas were elected, the friends of the lat
ter in Pennsylvania exultcd in the prospect of
controlling the patronage of the federal govern
ment, because their justly distinguished favor
lie occupied so close arelaton to the President
but Mr. Buchanan a shrewd, cautious, scheming
politician, located at Lancaster, check mated
them, and before the 18th of March, 1915, had
not only put himself into the department of
state, but had put his rival, Mr. Dallas, under
shadow. From that day to the expiration of
the term of President Mr. Dallas had no nAu-
ence whatever. The early death of the vener-
able William r. King doubtless saved him
from similar modification under the admin
lstrotion of President Pierce. In 1856, when
the favorite son of Pennsylvania was chosen
to the high position he now occupies, in COM
pany with the Young Kentuckian Brock
inridge,. we had a striking exemplifcation
of the fact that it is almost impossible for
the President and Vice President to agree
From the moment that James Buchanan enter
ct the White House, his besetting inirmity
seemed to be suspicion of all his old friends,
and jealousy for the young talented, and hand
some 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 counselor 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 reverse has
been the case, with very rare exceptions. Now,
the Vice President generally assumes the rela-
ton to the President that has been occupied in
England, for many years, by the heir apparent
to the regning 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 tenacious, that,
whether he stood by a politician in pettcoats or
in pantaoons, he rarely gave up one to whom
he was attached. Van Buren, was not only his
intimate and confidential friend, but his daily
counselor; 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, 1t remains to be seen
whether Mr.. Lincoln will initiate Jackson, bv
adhering to his Vice President, or whether he
will fall into the rut in which most of his pre-
decessors have followed. Mr.. Hamlin is safe,
experienced, and thoughtful man, an old demo-
crat, who, during his connection with the demo-
cratic party, exercised very great power in New
England, and was cherished as among the most
effective and trusted of our leaders, Foyney's
Press.