, 1862-07-25

E1"EIG81uH0E van 1u10As
Martin Van Buren was born at Kinderhook,
New York, On the banks OF the Hudson, Dec.
s. 17so. His fathers circumstances were
humble, and the son VAS only able to obtain
an ordinary education at the common school
and academy Of his native village. In 1876,
while yet in bis fourteenth year, hr left the
academy, to commence the study Of the Law,
in the Office Of Francis Sylvester, Esq q
respectable practitioner of that place. For
six year3 he remained IN Alr. Francis Office,
and th6a removed to New York. In that city
he entered the Office of William T. Van Ness,
distinguished member OF the bar, and
prominent leader OF the Democratic party. |
While iu the office Of the latter, he became
acquainted with the celebrated Aaron BUR-, |
Who manifested an unusual interest in his /
welfare.
In November, 1903, be Was admitted az an
attorney at law to the bar OF the Supreme
Court. in the State of New York, and Imme-
diatcly commenced the practice Of his pro-
| ieesion at Undertook. He took an early iu-
te1eet IN local politics, and proftssed the
| principles Of the Democratic party. In 1909,
he removed from the village Of Kinderhook
to the city Of Hndson, the capital Of his native
county. Of Ar. Van Buren's speeches ut the
bar hardly fragment have been preserved
Mr. Van Buren resided for seven years in
Hudson, engaged IN the active practice Of his
profession; and managed with no little address
as party leader. His legal ind partisan
merits we're so well appreciated, that Oh the
accession of the Republican party, in 1915, he
was appointed attorney general Of the state.
| ~ 1916 ir,e 9f hiI al 61rtt
and his professional engagements, he removed
from Hudson to Albany, where his prae-
tice BECAME extensive and lucrative In 1919,
his party had lost their aseendency ia the
council Of appointment, and Mr. Van Buren
, wss removed from the Office Of attorney gen
eral. In the following year the tables were
turned, ard re'appointment offered and
F declined. His last professional effort
before q jury Is said to have been in
The trials Of the celebrated Astor case,
and the case Of the Sailors Snug Haroor, in
The city Of New York, in the fall OF 1921 In
? the thi1tieih year Of Ills age, Mr.. Van Ruren
was elected to the State Senate, Where his
legal term of service commenced On the 4th
G | OF July. 1S13, when he Was the opponent o1
!, Maids On, and the adberent Of Clinton.
In 1870, the legislature Of New York adopt.
II ed resolution opposing the admission as
!, S1a1e in the Union Of any territory not com
~ psised in the original boundary Of the United
c States, without making the prohibition o
, 1's1averF therein an Indispensable condition O.
> admission. In this resolution the Senate, ani
- Mr. Van Buren as one Of the number, con
J., Cured. In February, 1921, Mr.. Van Burer
:, was appointed By the legislature oi New York
IL 4 member Of the Senate of the United States
Y and was reelected in 1927. In the Angus
:, following, he vas returned member Of th,
s. convention to revise the constitution Of th
7e State. In December, 1921, he took his sea
a. as Senator Of the United States; At tai
Time he was just entering on the thlr5J-nint
le 3ear. Of bis. age. On his first appearance
al 1a that body. he was elected . memes
:" Of the committee On finance. Hi5 -ftrs
1t speech In the Senate was on the chin Of til
i'd Marquis de Maison Rouge, involving abou
,r h9lfa million acres Of the public aoos;; q
n Of imprisonment for debt. He proposed a1s
ho amendments Of the judiciary system Of th
ae United States. and advocated the establish
nd rnept Of unitorm system Of bankruptcy.
Ill In 1879 the death Of Coy. Clinton made v
cant the gubernatoria1 chair Of the state Of Nc
s. York, and h1r. Van Buren, was selected
IT. their candidate for that office, By the Dem
era ic or Jackson party Of the State. He "
elected, but scarcely was his admlnistrati<
ha The appointment Of secretary Of state, q,
n0 Mr. Van Buren, at once accepted it. I
ere the cabinet he became the real or appare
no rival OF Mr. Calhoun, and probably indil
A1s 6Aiua8l0n LnGEtta an nDpttas3nE one,
y. resigned IN april, 1881. The president appoif
IN | I'd him ambassador to England, but Il
~ Senate, ~ the casting vote Of Mr.. G.
,ut confirm the nomination, which step, it v
H., generally thought, secured hin the nomir
'ao ton for vice-presldent in 1883. To which z
,ur sition be was elected on the second term
ro- Gen. Jackson's presidency. In 1886 be v
~ put in nomination BY the Democratic par
lis for the Office Of president, and elected by
lit large majority Of the popular electoral 70
Tie principal measure Of Mr.. Van Bure,
admiulstra. ion WAS the establishment Of t
independent treasury.
~ the foreign relations Of the count
| with the exception Of Eoine troubles "
lne England with regard to the northeaste
the boundary question. and the fspatriot'' war
a.. Canada, nothing Of importance occurred.
eu' 1S4o, he ERs again nominated for the 90
ato office, but signa1l1 defeated by the Whig c.
,et. didate, General Harrison. Since the close
'sS his presidential term, In N March, 1911, he
20 been living ia retirement at Kfnderhook
arv | place Of his birth, On an estate to which
has given the name OF Lindenwald. In 18
o1 be was the presidential candidate Of the sect
t It Of the Democratic party styling thcm=el
H., "BarnhnHers,n OF on that occasion "F1
~ Sellers" He did not get single electt
the vote, nor, probably, WAS it expected he wot
nEa o. the popular vote be received about 29o. {
principally from the States Of Massachuse
T OF New York and Ohio
of Mr. Van Buren, would have been scye1
nine 1ears Of age in December next,