The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-25

Chair was sauntcriug through Fulton Market
which ought TO he eXtcrminated, but which is
none the less very curious and interesting spot
and IL perceived Just before It, and equally
lettering, two men. one of whom was very vcne-
rable, of a stout figure. not tall, with bushy
white hair, and dressed very neatly in black
broadcloth; the other younger, taller OF care
less and even lOuugiug GAIT, but full of respect
in his treatment of his older companion. The
two passed slowly through the throng, nobody
regarding them, and they gazed with evident
amusement at the motley spectacle OF the mar
ket. The Easy Chair recognized them both.
The last time IL had seen the older man was
many year before, when he came up Broad
way under waving iugs with military escorts,
and amidst pcale of music and the acclamatlons
OF the people who thlOnged the sidewalks, and
filed the balconies and windows, and stood upon
the roofs and wherever his form could be seen.
He stood erect in a barouchc with his hat in his
hand, blandly bowiug upon every side as the
procession slowly advanced. 1t was the eighth
President of the United States, Martin Van
Buren. He passed, bandly bowing-a man
about ffty-fve years old, who had grasped the
prize which he had 50 long sought. lie was a
private citizen past scyenty-ive when the Easy
Chair next saw him, quietly lettering unhcedod
through the busy Fulton Market.
Mr.. Van Buren was n politician, and not OF
the lowest kind. Politics was his business. To
obtain political distinction was his object. Mr.
Parton, in his Life of jackson, says that con-
ceding politics to be game, Mr.. Van Buren,
played fairly Possibly; but it is game that
forbids nobility and generosity. The strongest
light Is thrown upon Mr. Van Bureus political
character by his letters, which are published in
the recent "Reminiscences of James A Hamil-
ton" They are letter, written in the unreseryed
freedom OF confidential political intercourse,
but they are nevertheless marked by the wari-
ness OF the politician. These letters do not leave
the impression which Mr. Parton conveys They
are, it must be frankly said, the letters Of
politician intent upon his own Advancement,
and as such they illustrate the essentially un-
handsome character Of that parsonage.
The characteristic of the politician is self
seeking. All public questions, the public wei
fare ITSELF arc subordinate TO party interests, aud
the bearing OF those interests upon his personal
aggrandizemcnt. Thl- was certainly true OF Mr..
Van Buren. lie had u capital outfit for his
career. He was the son of n poor man, and
made his own way. lie was Of an cquaDle lenl-
per- and of excellent natural spirits. lie was
instinctYely cautious and shrewd. Ills man
ners were bland aud winning, and he coh-
ciliated good feeling il not confidence. At thirty
he was the leader OF his party in his county. AZ
forty-siX he was Governor of his state At
iifty-one he was NI.l-Prcsdent. At ftfty-iiye
he was President. lie was personally Il Kind
and agreeable man. but who can help Wincing
a little to think that of all men in the country
lust the man who wrote these letters should
have been selected for President; 1t is not that
they propose lraud- it is their tone which is
some old rentlcman in the western part of
the State. who j. anxious to know that General
JacksOn's moral character is quite correct, writes
TO Mr.. Van Burcu. who sends the letter to Mr..
Hamilton, and asks him to write an answer in
his best STYLE Mr. hamilton, who had been ut
the Hermitage, and know the habits of Jacksons
household. complies nut he mentions the name
OF AIr. Van BUcu in the letter. As the letter
may get into print, the allusiOn mayin some way
be preiudical 10 that 5cntIeman so he suggests
that il be stricken ont and adds this significant
postscript: "P S.-Does the old gentleman have
prayers in his own house Ii so. mention it
mudestly.' This is the true politician. 1t is
saying delicatcly, Don't forget the religious
gag" When the General was elected Mr..
Hamilton was Acting Secretary of State until
Mr.. Van Buren, was able properly 10 resign his
Office of Governor aud reach Washington to
take the place; and during all the correspond
CncC in regard to offices. and appointments, Mr..
Hamilton says that Nir. Van Buren never made
any suggestion whatever in regard to the fitness
OF the candidates Fitness is not the quaifca-
ton which the politician seeks.
1t seems, also, that Mr.. Van Buren, was not at
first favorable to the removal of the deposits.
Indeed, he had expressed himself against the
project. But finding that the General was bent
upon it, his lieutenant shrugged his shoulders
gOOd-humOredly said that ''the Chief was in
cNurable, and IL was so much easier drifting
with the cuTent-in fact, if "the Chief has Sc
leCted certain person 10 be his successor, what
Il goose that person must be to have any Opin-
ions which the Chicl does not like So Mr..
Van Buren, approved the removal OF the depO-
sits. The relation OF Mr. Hamilton with Gene
raj Jackson were most friendly and: familiar.
lie was Of signal service to "thc Chief in many
ways, and was naturally of the inner circle of
party friends and cOulsellOrs. Such was the re-
gard of the President for him that his Excel
lency told him that he should succeed Mr.. Van
Buren in the State Department. But this was
MOTTO be-
The comp de'a' by which General Jackson's
first Cabinet was changed was very sllillfully ar
ranged, and was undoubtedly due to Mr.. Van
rrt 4