Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-13
QDblo Statssrr1arl,
Letter from John VAN Buren 10
the Tammany Celebration In
New York.

| Inc 1OllOWlnB -leJJer was recelfeu lIoh
| Hon. John Van Buren,:
ELIJAH f. PURDY, Grand Sachem IL
greatly regret that it will not be inmy
power to unite with the Tammany society
in celebrating the anniversary of our inde-
pendence, 1t has always been to me
source OF pleasure and interest to meetwith
an association which, founded in 1888, and
numbering among its members many OF the
most illustrious men of the republic, has
never failed to commemorate, by approprl-
ate observances, the nations birthday. But,
| interesting as such an occasion has ever
| been, the present proud condition OF our
institutions lends to it peculiar import
ance. l should be most happy to meet with
you now and exchange congratulations on
| the magnificent success with which our Gov
ernmeilJ. has passed. through its last and
| greatest trial. 1t is subject upon which
reflect with increasing wonder and admira-
| ton. The amazing resources with which
the war has been prosecuted, the giant re-
bellion which has been utterly prostrated.
the progress that has been at the same time
made in developing the wealth, the intel
lect, the taste of our people, and in dliiuslne
the. refinement, cultivation and luxury that
attend peace, are striking and eXtraordina-
ry. But there are features in the history OF
| our past four years more peculiar and un-
| precedented. The perfect order that has
prevailed in most Of the loyal States while
this attempted revolution was in process of
execution, the cheerful obedience to law |
and submission to acts of more than doubt
full constitutionality-the enormous contri-
buttons of men and money to sustain rulers
who were held to be the choice OF major
| ity of the people In contest which might
have been avoided, which was prosecuted
in mode open to just censure and pro-
| tracted far beyond the necessities which
| occasioned it-each and all of these are
American characteristics that denote the
wisdom and patriotism with which our in
stitutions are saved under circumstances OF
the greatest embarrassnents and discour-
agements. ...s.r.t ...t..,
Think, too, of the conduct Of our people
on the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln. A
similar event in France or in any European
monarchy would have upset the Govern:
ment. Here power passed as naturally and
tranC uilly to his constitutional successor az
il. he had been first elected to the Presiden-
cy on the expiration Of Mr.. I4incoln's OIL
cial term. Not mob, nor a riot, nor dis
turbance occurred. Military heroes, with
whom the country then abounded, and who
engrossed the affections of their fellow cit
liens more deeply and honorably than was
ever before known, instead of planning, as
elsewhere, their own accession to power.
L
tablshment of the Vice Presidents author
ity in tranquility and peace. The Govern
ment credit, which abroad, on like occur
renee, would have received shock from
which it would with difficulty rally, was
actually strengthened. United States
stocks were in greater demand the day af-
ter the atrocious crime that removed our
Chief Magistrate than they had ever before
been 1t is Affections like these that press
upon the mind as the day approaches when
we are in the habit of rejoicing at the es-
tablishment of our Government, and dwell
ling with honest pride upon its compare
tive exc ,lIence. And now let us turn for
few nts from our glorious past to
the resent and momentops future,
..uv a., : .ier more particularly as DEM
oeJ at3 az to our wisest course. Much is
n Nv an has often before been said about
the reconstruction of the Democratic par
ty. Doubtless this comes from friendly and
well intentions ed quarters, but have gener-
ally found that demands of this kind not
unfrequently proceed from those who, hav-
| ing taken shelter with our adversaries dur
Ling the burden and heat or our past con-
tests, dissatisfied with their position, and
perhaps with their share of the fruits of
T our defeat, are ready to 60 in front OF
the Democratic party in the march OF pow
er, which is so plainly open to them. All
the reconstruction which, in my Judgment,
the Democratic party needs is a strict adj
herence to its time-honorel principles, and a
careful selection of the men who shall repre-
= sent them, Our opponentsin the late Presi1
dental canvass united for the avowed pur4
pose of putting gdewAthe rebellion and abol1
u ishing slavery as its alleged cause, These
two Objects. having, been accomplished by
their eXertions, or, in. spite of them, they
see and admit, what is Obvious TO all, that
their union is at an end, and that the, orig
inal elements Of their organization will re-
i turn to their natural affinities. 1t should
be our object to attract and not repel such
portions as properly belong to us. The
great question which will divide the peo-
Pile Of the United States for some time to
; come will be how the Government of the
"A United States shall deal with the loyal peo-
aIple of the several States that have attempts
;, ed to throw off that Government and are
) not now represented in the Congress of the
:. United States. I Icontine this inquiry to the
9 loyal people, because the treatment OF those
guilty of treason or other crimes must de-
!, pend upon considerations peculiar to each
( individual, which it is the business of the
courts and the President to Investigate and
al oldispose of and which can never become
national or party question. For Instance
% very general discussion is now going on as
4 UOiWTdb SUdll Uc uOu6 WILL OCACfoou lIdNlS
Leading Republicans, such as Henry Ward
Beecher, Gerrit Smith, VIM. Lloyd Garri-
. SON., and others, think he should be pardon
ed. Lord Derby and other English Lords
4 4 who have never heretofore mentioned thf
United States except as beacon to be
4 shunned by all who, seek for safe forms oi
al government, not only concur In this opin-
4 / ion, but Affect to- tremble with apprehen-
g sion, lest in our dealing with this telon, we
may leopard our fair fame! Democrats
o. generally, with whom i have. .con,yersed
think Mr.. Davis should be severely punish
a | ed. / mention this merely to show that
question like, this is not, and :, from
3 necessity, cannot be a national or par
Il ty question. But the mode In which
\ those who are declared by the Executive
Al (the constitutional tribune to determine) To
i constitute the several States in rebellion
I'd shall be treated, is a great governmental
= question which will be very likely to divide
q the people of this country in much the
i. lsame way as they have been divided in the
J. protracted and honorable contests which
have distinguished, our past political his
q tory. And In regard TO this, l, am glad to
think that the President of the United
States has laid dewn-theonly true, wise and
constitutional policy, q policy based upon
the principles; which lie at the foundation q
our Government, and which rejects with
= equal scorif the suicidar fheresy of secession
andvdestructive9 theory of cOns0li 0lidatiOn. =
. The,loyal people of the several States. here
: tofore in rebellion have lost BY the 'war
| - Il II.