New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-10-29

jurisprudence were exhaustvely cited by Mr..
Seward and in every instance triumphantly con-
trOverted The prisoner Vas convicted and SEN
fenced; but having been afterwards discovered to
be actually insane, was removed to the State Lu-
natic asylum where he died in few months.
At this period Mr.. Van Buren, was at the helght
Of his reputation and the career open before MN
seemed to promise all that ambition could desire
The feud which had existed for more than thirty
years between the different factions OF the Demo
cratic-Republican party had now become exceed
ngly bitter and eliminated in open dissensiQn
John Van Buren was an active partisan OF the
radical wing, while Mr.. Croswel, Of the Albany
Argus was the leading mind in the ranks of the
"Old Hunkers.n The libel suit in which the pro-
prietors of the Albany Atasand those OF the Argus
were narties, afforded to Mr. Van Buren, the opp0r
tunitv to express his bitterffeelipg toward Mr.
CroswelI and precipitated the crisis which threat
ened the Democratic party. In lSa6, 6ilas Wright
had been defeated for reelection, by reason OF the
detection of the Old Hunkers and Anti-Renters to.
both of whom he was Objectionable; and the next
year the. Barnburners, at the Democratic State
conventions acting under the leadership Of MIR.
Van Buren, seeded and called another conven-
ton which met at Herkimer, and repudated the
Syracuse nominations.
In 1913 the schism became more confirmed. a
State convention was held at Utica, which ap-
pointed delegates to the Democratic national con-
yention at Baltimore. But the Hunkers also pro-
cured the appointment of delegates making con-
troversy at Baltimore which had almost resulted
in giving the Barnburners the national acknoW-
ledgment. But the free soil declarations of Pres.
ton King overset this purpose the convention re-
solved to admit both delegations; the Barnbun-
ers refused to acCede to this, and returning home
called a convention to meet at Utica which nomi-
mated Martin Van Buren and Henry Hodge. John
Van Buren was the leading man Of the occasion,
and addressed conventions and popular assem-
bages, not only in this State but elsewhere,
speaking to the treesoilers of Massachusetts,, at
Faneuil Hall. The events of that canvas belong
to the history of the times.
t. Nv, Won pr1rar1 trnO fnrrp1 his
residence to this city, and opened a law office in
partnership with Mr.. Robinson. He was engaged
by Mr.. Edwin Forrest as counsel in the famous
divorce trial, associated with Ogden Hoffman. His
management of the case was mastery, but the
feeling against Mr.. Forrest operated unfavorably
upon the reputation of his counsel. So confident
was Mr.. Van Buren,, that he never suspected that
he would not obtain verdict till long after his
associates and friends had abandoned hope. This
sanguineness appears to have constituted an ac
tual infrmity OF character. In his political ad-
dress It was often exhibitedso conspcuously as to
excite ridicule. Bot while it detracted from his
ability as politician it seems to nave often aided
him as an advocate.
Mr.. Van Buren was among the most eager Of
| the Barnburners to effect coalition with the
Hunkers in 1849 and 1850, abandoning the free.
soil wings who had been induced to unite with
| them in I848. In 1852 he made a speech at New
burg, in which he renounced all freesoil senti-
ments. He appeared at the next State conven-
ton to contest the seat of delegate, but was not
! duluibltu luS ucAb Sedl ne dppGdISu aSdIIt az
| the Syracuse convention. The softshell wing of
| the party had managed to obtain the control Of
the organization, and contested seats were in pro-
| fusion. The hardshell delegates, however, under
| the preteXt of apprehended violence, withdrew
| and held separate convention in the ladies'
parlor of the Globe Hotel, where ticket was
| nominated. The others held the regular conyen-
| ton at the City Hall. Mr.. Van Buren was chair.
man of the platform committee, and reported
resolutions in favor Of the proslavery policy OF
the Pierce administration, more extreme than even
| the position of the hardshells.
| Since that period he has never rcgained com
manding position in state politics. The leading
radical Democrats in 1866 and 1866 united with the
| Republican party, while Mr.. Van Buren remained
1 with the Democrats. In 1860 he supported Mr.,
| Breckinridge for President. He generally sus-
| tanned the government in the prosecution Of the
war, although a speech made by him at the Cooper
Institute seemed TO approve of letting the rebel
| States ''depart in peace" He corrected this I'M
preston subsequently, although in 1863 support
| ing Mr.. Gunther for mayor.
| His health had been failing for several years
| He was compelled to abandon his habits Of gener
Gus living, and withdraw for period from active
| live But for some time he was supposed to be
| amending. Last season he sailed for England
| in company with his daughter and niece the
daughter Of Smith Van Buren; and was apparently
in the most robust health All enjoyed their toul
among the mountains, the loChs and mo0rs of
\ Scotland The tour had been concluded and the
| party set out for home in the Scotia Mr.. Var
Buren, again began to fail; general debility
seized him, and finally on Sunday last terminated
! fatally.