Middletown transcript., 1869-10-16

BreaU pTlHClpleS VI Lne democratic party.
In 1928, be was elected Governor of
New York State, and entered upon his
duties of that office on the first day of
January, 1929; but he filed the guber-
Material chair for only few weeks.
In March following, when General
Jackson was elevated to the Presidency,
he rendered to Mr.. Van Buren, the post
of Secretary of State, which was accepted.
At the expiration of two years he resigned
his seat in the Cabinet, and was imme-
diately appointed Minister to England
but when his nomination was submitted
to the Senate, June 25th, 1881, it was
rejected by the casting vote of the Vice
President, Hon. John G. Calhoun, and of
course he was recalled AS his friends
attributed his rejection entirely to per-
sonal and political rancor, it only served
to raise Mr.. Van Buren, in the estimation
of his political adherents; and the result
was, that In May following he was nomi-
mated with great unanimity for the Vice
Presidency by the Democratic Conven-
ton at Baltimore. His triumphant cleo
ton was regarded not merely as high
compliment to himself, but as whole
some rebuke to his opponent.
In 1886, he was put in nomination for
the chief magistracy, to which he was
elected by a large majority oyer General
Harrison; but at the next Presidential
election, the tables were turned, and he
only received sixty votes out of two hun
dred and nincty-four. After his defeat,
he returned to Lindeuwald, where he re-
mained few months, and then made an
extensive tour through Europe, with his
son, Prince John Van Buren, the idol
lied bachelor Of that period, both in New
York and London.
Not long after his return, he consented
to become once more a candidate for the
Presidency, and in 1913 received the
nomination of the Free Soil party; but
he did not secure single electoral vote.
Since then, he had little to do with poll
teal affairs, but always came into town to
vote the straight democratic ticket on
election day. 1t is not known how lie
voted in the contest of 1860, but he was
favorable to the election of Ex-Prcsident
James Buchanan.
The Hunker Democracy of his native
town and all over the state, were ever after
wards his political enemies, after his in
auguration his son John-of the
Free Soil Party, of 1913, which was got
ten up solely to defeat the prospects of
General Cass. Previously he was the pet
and idol of the town and county, and not
a democrat was too good to do him ho-
mage, but now, the old residents and their
descendants say that Matty done wrong
to betray his party so. Consequently,
when he died he was without honor in his
own adjacent county. The Dutchmcn lay
all the blame to the late John Van Buren +,
and few other prominent lights of that
day.
We may expect rich revelations con-
cerning the past political world, in the
forthcoming autobiography of Thurlow
Weed, late of the Albany Evening Jour
nal, who, of all others, has seen more of
the intrigues of political leaders than any
other living man probably, as he was sit
uated at Albany over 40 years, when
both parties planned their future cam
paigns, and he, prominent actor in one
of them.
Lindenacald is about two miles south OF
Kinderhook, on high, rolling ground,
and is situated in noble cluster of tall
English linden trees, s,-whcnce the name
The whole estate comprises about $50
acres, and was kept in nice state of cul-
tivation when its owner was alive, as the
Ex-President was of frugal turn ol
mind and always farmed to profit.
The house is of brick, 40 by 60 feet
in the style of a Roman villa, with a high
tower containing bell, and every way
seem to cling to a retired politician
who after life filled with such vicissi
J tudes wishes to spend the balance Of
his days with few friends, and annie
agricultural scenes.
1t is approached ON either hand, by
nicely grayeled carriage-way, and the Wis.
itor alights beneath high stone porch
> supported by high brown stone columns
? The whole is three stories in height. Az
; you enter the broad hallway, of twenty
5 feet in width, elegantly painted, extend
l ing through the entire building, the first
door to the right leads into the parlors
while on the left, the reception room is il
front, then the library, with the dining
Q room in the rear. The library, fronting
the south, was the centre of attraction fol
f visitors, as here the sage was accustomed
to sit, write, chat and play whist with hi
A particular town friends. He was exceed
! ingly democratic in his views and dress
= and during the last eight or ten years o
his life he wore favorite white hat botl
G in summer and winter, which he was ex
: ceedingly fond of. This hat was low il
: the crown, with broad rim, and wal
q presented to him several years since il
= New Orleans. Every year he would hav,
it repaired, at one time, have the crown
e cut down at another, new rim perhaps
or new lining and band for variety
SO in that way he kept it i4 presentabl
# shape all these years.
e In this same library, With large ba,
s window filed with rare flowers, the oil