Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-31
DEATH OF MARTIN VAN BUREN,.


admin zSsno ppger than other of our Pres
dents with the single exception of John Adams.
We coy the following record Of his life from
the New York. EUening Post:
Martin Van Buren, was the first representa-
tive of the original Holland settlers who was
elected Governor of this state or President of
the United States. His family settled at an
early period of the colony on the manor of
Rensselaerwyck, in Albany county. in the town
of Kinderhook, occupying their homestead in
true Dutch style through many generations,
and intermarrying occasionally to prevent too
great division of the glebe.
Martin Van Buren, the oldest son of Abra-
ham Van Buren,, was born on the 9TH of De-
cember, 1882 He displayed at an carly age
great fondness for reading, quick apprehension,
careful habits of observation, and aptness, de-
noting great powers of mind. H s early ad-
vantages were limited, but he managed to ac-
quire a respectable academical education.
At the age of fourteen he commenced the
study of law with Mr.. Francis Sylvester, and
was indentured for seven years. He early be-
came proficient advocate and an active poll
tcian. At the age of eighteen he was the Re
publican delegate TO the Congressional District
Convention.
The last year of his clerkship was spent at
the office of William p Van Ness, of this city,
where he was admitted TO the bar in 1903. He
returned to Kinderhook, and entered upon
practice. The bar of Columbia county con-
taned at the time brilliant array "There
were giants in those days." such as Elisha Will
liams, Thomas LP. Grosvenor, Jacob r. Van
Rensselaer,, ard with them Mr.. Van Buren,
learned 10 contend. He early became the OBJ
ject of bitter animosiy from the federal lead
ers of the time
In lS06 he was married to Hannah Hoes, his
cousin, vino died in 1918. He was devotedly
attached to her, and never married again.
-Four sons were the offspring of this alliance.
In 1908 Mr., Van Buren, was appointed Sur
rogate Of the county of Columbia by Governor
Tompkins, and transferred his residence to
! Hudson. He retainel this office five years,
when he was removed. He continued all the
time his activity in politics, and supported Vice
President Clinton for giving his casting vote
against the recharter of the Bank Of America,
and Governor Tompkins for proroguing the
legislature.
In 1912 he was elected to the Senate of the
state, running on the Clintonan ticket, and re-
| ceiving about two hundred votes over Edward
u. Livingston. He became prominent leader
in that body. The next year, however, he re-
newed his support of Governor Tompkins, who
was reelected. He was also champion of a
vigorous war policy, and supported the vgor-
Gus measures which were adopted by the Leg
islature of 1914. He served as Judge-Advo-
cate at the trial of General Hull. In 1915 he
became Attorney General of the State, and ac-
ouired new professional laurels.
Being re elected to the Senate in 1916 he re-
moved to Albany and opened law office in
partnership with the late Benjamin +. Butler
The partnership continued til Mr. Van Buren,,
election n the United States SA1atp
At this time the canal policy was the great
political issue in this state. Mr.. Van Buren,
was its friend He hal voted for Governor
Clinton in 1917, though "Bucktail" in senti-
ment Mr.. Clinton being the regular candidate
But the naccuracy of the first surveys and es
Inmates justly led the Republicans in the legis
lature to distrust the whole project; and on his
motion. on the 10th of April, 1916, the Senate
struck out all that part Of the bill authorizing
{ the construction OF the Erie and Champlair
canal, which related to the immediate com
mencement CT the work. The next winter tn
! objections had been removed, and new survey
and estimates proucred. Mr.. Van Buren, no,
advocated the measure, and through his inhu
cnce it passed the Senate on the 18th of Apri
He advocated the abolition of slavery i
this state, voted for resolutions denouncing tn
admission of Missouri into the Union as
slave state, proposed a system OF free banking
= and introduced into the legislature bill fl
the abolition of imprisonment for debt
Mr.. Van Buren, was removed from the offic
of Attorney General in 1919. The Buckta
coming into power the next year, offered to rt
f instate him, but he declained. He supporte
: Rufus King for reelection to the United State
y Senate, in consideration OF his great public sci
o vices. In 1921 Mr. Van Buren, was himse
h elected as Mr.. Kings colleague
= T., 1901 NJ Nor p,,,,,, ,r,, oLo,o,, - ILL
e gate to the Constitutional Convention fro
II Otsego county. There were three parties i
4 that body the federalists, the radical and Il
IS conservative republicans. Mr.. Van Buren, b.
l. longed to the latter class. He favored the al
n clifton OF the old Council of Revision and Il
IS entire separation of the judiciary from the lie,
: islatiye power. He also advocated the abol
d ton OF the freehold qualification, only requi
d ing the voter to he a householder. II oppo
IT ed the election OF justices of the peace, sheriff
and city clerks, by the people.
m Upon entering the Senate of the Unite
l. States he supported the Monroe administration
u, and voted in caucus for the nomination of NJ
II Crawford for the Presidency. In 1925 he WI
<, disposed to give his adhesion to Mr.. Adams
but the advocacy of the "Amercan System"
Of the opposition. He also attacked the Panan
" Mission in an able speech. He voted, howeve
Of for the tariff bills OF 1924 and 1928.
ID The death of Governor Clinton removed I
e barrier to Mr. Van Buren's political advanc
x ment, and he was now acknowledged as t
of representative of the democracy of New Yor
He was nominated and elected Governor
1928, on the Jacksonian ticket, and took
seat on the ensuing January-the first of O
ed governors who was not participant in t
scenes of the Revolution. His gubernator
"' career was short; and the principal memer
rs we have of it is the Safety Fund Bank Syste
n In March he became Secretary of State to &c
,st eral Jackson, and held the place till the dis
. luton of the Cabinet in 1881, He was tn
&C. sent as American Minister to England |
ng his diplomatic career was unexpectedly cut sh(
he hy the refusal of the Senate to confirm him
OF that capacity. He returned home and "
to placed in nomination by the Republicans
rst iional Convention for Vice-President. III
"a office, which is rather honorable than imp'
his tant he filed with ability and dignity. In Is
he was nominated as General Jackson's succ
,or sor, by the unanimous vote of the convent
NJ. and the selection was duly ratified by the p,
ar. pie.
'an Perhaps the issues of that time are not S
he Rciently forgotten to allow Mr.. Van Buren's
itb ministration to be judged with candor and W
rill its merits. lie pursued the policy which as
,cy adviser of the previous administration, he
helped to initiate and attempted no new p
-, iects. But the financial crisis Of 1887 was