New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-25

MARTIN VAS BrRrs, the eighth President Of the
United States WA DO n at Undertook, Dec. ., l1s2.
lie wa, descended from an ancient Dutch family,
bis anc es,ors on both sides having been among the
early emgIants from Holland to the colony OF the
New Netherlands. His father was farmer III mol
crate circumstances and able TO give hls son the
advantages Of education, except TO u very limited
extent. After acquiring the common rudments Of
learning Martin became a student in the kinderhoos
Academy. which he left at the age Of fourteen, in
order To commence the study Of law. For thif pur-
Lose b. entered the Office Of lawyer m bis native
village, aud soon attracted attention by his ap'ness
for extemJoraueous speaking and literary compost
ton, and his keen interest in public affairs Even at
this early period he frequently employed IN the
management sf cares before Justice OF the Peace,
and Il was NJ, long beio,c he became an ardent and
active poliic ian Of tho Democratic party. When
ONLY In his eighteenth year, ana beiore completing
his legal studies. be appointed Delegae 10
Convention for nominating candidate for the Legis
lature Such marks Of the confidence OF his political
friends were not uncommon while be was yet under
one-andtwenty year, of age. Tue iast year oi his
profersiu nal studies was fpen, IN the City OF New
York, in the office Of Mr.. William p. Van Ness,
Distinguished member Of the bar, and famous for hs
intimate friendship with Aaron Burr at tlat time
Vice. President Of the United States.
Mr. Van Buren, was thus introduced 10 the acquaint.
auce of Col. Bur- and at once became a favorite
with that WHY and unscrupulous politician, by whom
he wss initiated into the system Of party tactics OF
which he was a conspicuous and successful repre-
sentative il subsequent life.
In November, 1893, Mr.. Van Buren, WAS admitted
70 the bar, and Immediately commenced the practice
Of his profession in the village of Undertook. In
1907 be was admitted As counselor in the Supreme
Court, and IN 1908 was appointed Surrogate OF Co
lunbia County coon after which be removed to the
Civ Of Iulsop where he resided fo- the next seven
years. In 1878 he WIS appointed Attorney General
of tho State, at which time he bad attained al emf
neut rank in the profession and largo aud lucrative
practice.
Mr.. Van Buren, was married in 1896 10 Niles Hoes,
u distant relative of the family, who died twelve
years after Of consumption, leaving four sons; slHce
which time he remained wido~er.
III 1872, Mr.. Van Buren, was for the first time the
candidate iOr an Office in the gift oil the people,
having been nominated Senator from the counties
then comprising the middle district Of the State. lie
was elected over his opponent Mr. Edward +. liv-
lag ston by majority of about 200 in al aggregate OF
20 900 votes after sharp and violent contest After
taking bis zeal in the Senate lie supported the elect
on.l ticket which gave the vote Of the State for
President To De Wit Clinton. AT the same time,
be was strenuous advocate Of decided measures
against Great Britain during the session OF Congress
in bile including the war, which was declared
in June Of tho latter year. At the session OF the
Legislature which commenced in 1873 bis political
relations with Mr.. Clinton were dissolved, and never
again resumed. In 1916, lie was reelected to the
Senate for the further period OF four years during
that year, the project Of the Erie and Champlan
canals, which was brought Lefore the Legislature,
received his cordial support.
In 1918, Mr.. Van Buren, engaged in the organIa'
ton of that portion Of the Democratic party who
were hostile to the administration of DE Witt Gin
ton as Governor Of the State. From this arose the
political association known IA the Albany Re-
Rency," with which the name Of Mr. Van Buren, has
been identified, although Lis participation in It's
counsels has been sometimes denied by bis friends
In February, 1891, Mr. Van Buren, was elected to
the Senate Of the United States and during the same
year, was chosen a member Of the Convention 70
revise the Constitution of the State of New-York. In
this Convention, he took an active and prominent
part. lie was in favor Of moderate changes IN the
Constitution, Of the extension Of the elective iran
ehise, and the abolition Of the freehold qualification
for voters. On the proposition To restrict the night
Of suffrage to phe citizeus he voted in tho negative,
but subsequently supported the provision requiring
colored voters TO possess q freehold estate Of the
value Of $50. He opposed the election Of Justices
Of the Peace by the people. and proposed plan BY
which Ne appointments should 30 controlled BY tho