Evening journal., 1910-06-13

I terest' sort to American history. these
articles have distinctive value all their
own.
Who of this generation ever hears OF
tho Albany Regency? Yet for thirty of
the first hfty years Of the last century
/ 1t was probably the most powerful un-
official political group that the United
states knew.
Composed Of Democrats who lived in
or made Albany. N Y.. their hesdqual-
I ters. the regency was powerful not only
i'm state affairs. but also made it's in
auence folt ggeatly i'm national politics
lt dictated presidential and vlce-prcsi-
dental nominations wholly or i'm great
part, 10 named governors. senators. ana
other high placed public servants. and
/ 30 made one of its number FIRST Vice
/ President and then President Martin
Van Buren.
The Official mouthpece of the Albany
| Regency from the day it became
power, IN 1890, was Edwin CrosWeu As
editor OF the regenccs newspaper the
Albany Argus, he was one OF the big
men of the group. am. in the years or
/ his retirement. whicn ended with his
death iu ISL he often took delight in
recountlng anecdotes Of the regency. but
none other with the relish he took in
telling of Martin Van Burens two rules
of political conduct
"Henry clay. YOU know. was defeated
| by Polk for President I'm 1874 because
| of his thoughtless. not to say i'm
| judicious, letter writing" was tho way
/ in which Croswell would almost in
/ varably begin his favorite story. land
/ I never think Of how his letters IN the
subject Of the annexation Of Texas kept
/ him out Of the Presidency without re-
calling the marked difference between
clay and Martin Van Buren in this
respect.
When Mr. Van Buren, was serving as
/ Vice President I'm the second admins
traton Of Andrew jackson. he came to
me one day. stating that he was pre-
pairing to undertake Journey to
Rochester. y. y. i'm order 20 talk over a
matter Of considerable Importance with
a personal friend who lived i'm that city.
asked why he did not write. since
the journey thther would be long one.
You know I'm those days. it was neces-
sary to travel either by canal or bv
stage coach. and the trip Mr.. Van Buren
had in mind would occupy a weeks time
at best
But Mr.. Van Buren, did not take the
hint
Mr. Croswell." he said. T have found
two rules Of the utmost value to me ir
my public and political life T have al
ways endeavored to observe them faith
fully from the day that 1 formulate,
them. and II ever YOU are seized Will
ambition TO hold public office. 7 woul,
recommend them to YOU for adoption. a
have some OF my office holding
friends.
The first Of the rules hav,
steadfastly followed is never to permt
myself to harbor any personal or 20
liticai resentments. II IS very dan
gerous thing TO harbor a resentment O
this sort. II will warp a mans juds
ment IL will cause MIN 10 say and d
things that will almost certainly b
flung in his face later on to his certai
discomfort and probable defeat tt Wi
make needless political sores that wi
run for years.
My second rule is this Never writ
a letter discussing important matter
political or business. If 70 can possibl
ne avoided. IL Is better 70 take a Ion
journey. and submit to all the discon
forts thereof and the loss Of time ir
cident thereto, so that you may talk IA,
to face with your man. rather than writ
letter 10 him. No one can ever tell
what use a letter may be put or no
it may be construed. This rule ] ha,
followed as religiously as 7 have N
first. and 7 am certain that such p
litical security as I have gained may I
attributed i'm great part TO the fact th,
neither harbor political resentment
no matter how unjustly I may be a
tackled, nor commit to paper matters
vital personal or political Importance
Copyright 1910. by F. J. Edwards. 4
rights rcservedD
- Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
"The Twilight Reconciliation Of tn
Old Time Political Enemies"