The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-17

John Van Buren-His Political Career.
THE death of John Van Buren, removes a
man who, without holding high Office, or
being great leader, had still achieved more
than ordinarily prominent position among the
politicians of the country. His biography is
briefly told "A son of the late ex-President
Martin Van Buren, born in 1s1O graduated
at Yale In 1928; Secretary Of Legation to his
father, who was Minister to England in
1912; elected Attorney General of the State
of New York in 1845, and since that time
occupying high position in bis profession as
lawyer.
1t was in the political field, however, that
"Prince" John; as he was familarly called.
achieved his greatest distinction. The reiec-
tion of Marin Van Buren in 1914 by the
Democratic Presidential Nominating Conyen-
ton, on account of his supposed unsound-
ness upon the question of the annexation of
Texas, laid the foundation for the organiza-
ton Of the free-soil Democracy of the North
The rupture came in 1S4S, when, upon the
distinct platform of "no more slave territory
Martin Van Buren, was nominated for the
Presidency by the Buffalo Convention. Into
this contest John Van Buren, then in the
height of his powers and his popularity, the
idol of the young men of New York, entered
with all the enthusiasm of a knight going
forth to battle. He stumped the State of New
York from Lake Erie to the Hudson, and
from the st. Lawrence to the Delaware,
addressing immense assemblages of the peo-
pie, and making q series of speeches which,
for brilliancy, power, and true eloquence,
have few equals in the whole range of political
oratory, He boldly struck the keynote of
that "iIrepressible conflict" which few years
later was to shake the nation to its centre.
His utterances during that memorable cam
paign read now, in the light of later facts,
like the words of inspiration.
The result OF The tree-soil movement was
the division and overthrow of the Democratic
party, and the consequent election of General
Taylor to the Presidency. John Van Buren,
was now at the food-tide of popularity. He
was idolzed by the people of his native State,
having, in addition to his brilliant talents, a
personal manner and address most engaging.
and was recognized throughout the country
as the rising leader OF the great revolution
that was even then gathering strength for
the final onset between freedom and slavery
in the nation. Had he remained true to the
principles he then avowed, and the position
he then occupied, there is hardly doubt that
he would have been called to one OF the first
offices in the gift of the people. But he
failed. Some fatal defect of character-some
want of faith in truth-blinded his
eyes to the true path OF honor and power.
and he threw away the finest prospects |
ever enjoyed by any young man IN the coun-
try. He went back to the fold OF the Demo-
cratic party, abjured the glorious principles
with which he had inspired the hearts of the
though brilliant politician, never more to rise
from it. He frequently appeared upon the
stump during political campaigns, but he had
lost his hold upon the popular heart. He was
witty, argumentatiVe, eloquent even, but the
people had lost all confidence in his sincerity.
They laughed at his stories, enjoyed his spark
ting "good things" cheered his fine passages,
and then went away and voted the opposition
ticket. In 1856, during the Fremont-Bu-
chanan campaign, he was announced to speak
at a great Democratic mass meeting in one
of the western counties OF the State. The
day before the meeting the local Republi-
can papers republished one OF his most i'm
passioned free-soil speeches the great cam
paign OF 1948. The result was, that instead
of making one of his usual sparkling efforts
in behalf of the Democratic party, he con-
sumed his whole speech in vain and neces-
sarily feeble effort to reconcile the consistency
of his course.
When the Rebellion broke out he had
chance to regain something of his former
position, but it was not in him. He yacil-
lated, hesitated, and the current swept by
forever.
He dies early, being but few months over
fifty six years old.
DoUord IN the TIasaaWOrtbioo..