The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-08
Brief Sketch Of the Life and Services ol
Martin Van Buren,,

The New York Herald gives a long his
Io,y OF the life Of Martin Van Buren, from
which we condense the following:
lie was born in Kinderhook on The 9th
day Of December, 1889. His parents
were both Of Dutch descent, so that the
late ex.Presidenl, their oldest son, NAV
be regarded as one OF the few represent.
atlves Of the KDickerbocker stock who
first brought industry and civilization 10
the ancient colony OF Manhattan. Ills
father, though of moderate means, was
careful to give his son, in whom he saw
many evidences Of talent, the best edu.
cation his means could afford. Martin pur.
sued course Of study, classical and other.
wise, in his native village, and at the age
of fourteen commenced the study OF law.
For seven years he applied himself indus.
triously 10 his task, and Oh reaching his
majority, be commenced lis practice in
partnership with Hon. Jas. Van Allen, a
half brother on his mothers side. From
Kinderhook he removed 10 Hudson, in
1903. and then began that brilliant pro.
iesslonal career which soon won for him
the favorable notice OF the public. Il
brought him not merely the empty ,inse!
of fame, but ample peeuniary rewards
His rivalry, which continued through life,
with the late Elisha Williams, QUE Of the
ablest advocates and the most prominent
Federalists in the State, stimulated him to
exertion, until his reputation for forensic
ability and general requirements became
widespread. In April, 1919, he was
elected to the State Senate from the Mid
die District Of New York. We will not
follow him through his successive grada.
tons Of honor from the State Senate TO
that OF the United States but suffice it 10
say that he filled almost every high Office
in the peoples gift, with the greatest
credit to himself, and with much advan'
tage to the country. The annexed com
prehensive summary Of the positions hi
occupied, will give the reader an idea o
the esteem in which he was held Sur
rcgate Of Columbia county, 1903; Mem
ber Of New York State Senate, 1919
Member Of the Court OF Errors and I'm
peachments, 1918; Attorney General o.
the Stale OF New York, 1915 Regent oI
| the University of the State OF New York
1915; United States Senator from the
Stale of New York, 1921 Governor o
the Stale Of New York, 1898; Secretary
Of State for the United States, 1899
United States Minister to England, 1881
Secretary OF the United States Treasury
1889; Vice President of the United States
1929; President OF The United Slate, 1887
On the 22i OF May. 1889, Mr.. Van
Buren was nominated Tor the Vice Presi.
deCcy by the Democratic Convention al
Baltimore, Jackson being at the same time
re. nominated for the Presidency. They
were trumphanuy elected, and inaugu
rated on the 4th Of March, 1888. At th,
next Convention. (heId also in Baltimore
May 20. '36,) Mr.. Van Buren was nom
mated for the Presidency. with Richard M
Johnson, of Kentucky, as Vice President
The Democracy were again signally sue
cessful, and Van Buren, was inauguratet
President, 4th Of March, 1897. The pol
icy of the administration is well renem
bered by some Of our readers. He at
tempted, but without success, TO separat,
the State Finances from the banks, ant
10 establish a Treasury office at Washing
ton, with sub offices in the various States
"The suppression of tho United State
Bank, whicl. was favorite scheme with th
Democratic party. having been followed b.
great commercial distress and bankruptcy
was taken advantage of by the Wings, VIII
rapidly gained in influence and power, an
weakened the popularity of the Presiden
Another source of trouble was the disput
with England in regard to .he Canada
boundary and the rebellion which brok
out in Lower Canada, during which II
English burned the American steamer Ca
! oline, added greatly to the difficulties OF Il
administration. In addition to these, II
prolongation of the Seminole war, and tn
deficits caused by the commercial crisis {
1887, compelled the Government to max
numerous loans, the policy of which wa
attacked by its ever viglant opponents, tn
Wings. ln short, no government, since th
days OF Madison, was surrounded by greai
er difficulties and embarrassments; ye
Notwithstanding the talent and capact
shown by the Executive and Cabinet, 6
much had the democratic party lost in poT
ular favor, that Martin Van Buren,, thong
nominated for recollection in lS40, was badI
beaten by the Wing candidate, Gener;
Harrison.
"The exciting times of this campaigl
with its log cabin, hard cider and coon ski
aocompanimonts, arc yet fresh in the mind
of our readers.
'Tippecanoe and Tyler too
has boen sung by many who now perus
these columns, and the refrain
,, Van, Van is a used up man.
has often been heard breaking upon th
air, day and night, during tho pendency {
this political contest. The Tippecsnoe f
vcr swept over the country like hurrican
Harrison and Tyler were elected, Van b
, rem and johnson defeated, and tho VIII
, party came into power with devourin
hunger for the fat offices that had for Ion
time been in the possession of the Demo,
racy. The $40 100000 surplus none
which has accumulated in the United Stat,
, Treasury during General Jackson's admin
, tration was, under Mr.. Van Buren,, divide
among the States. The IS 600, 600 award,
to the State OF New York was made a sin
ing fund for public school purposes.
, "Mr Van Buren, subsequently attempts
to take his revenge and recover the grouI
he had lost, without success. In 1914
was the favorite of the Northern section
: the democratic party against the Southe
!, candidate. Mr., Polk, but was again deteate
D Again in ls48 he tried his political fortun
i once more as the leader of the free %
. democratic party OF the Northern States,