Rising Sun Times, Volume 2, Number 99, Rising Sun, Ohio County, 3 October 1835 — Page 1

r-M - F "id "rLEOGKU TO NO PARTY'S ARBITRARY SWAY, W1MX FOLLOW TRTTII AVHF.JIk'kR IT LEADS THK WAY.

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BY AB.KX. 12. I.2:Xi.

BIOGRAPHY. :jautit van i;t ;s:j:. fOMI.l'DFIi. In the interval between that appointment and tlic next congress, a convention wa3 held to amend the constitution of the state. Mr. Van Buren, ho had warmly advocated this measure, especially with a view to the extension of the right of suffrage, was unexpectedly returned to it, though a resident of Albany, by the republican elector? of Otsego; as a member from tli.it county. Many venerable and c!i;-tiiiij!r!wd men, together with most of the active talent of the state, were found in thi convention. It is, therefore, a high compliment though it be only simple truth to say that in all the deliberation f t! lis enlightened assembly, .Mr. Van Buren, if net lirsf, was certainly one cf ihe lorciTi'isl His speeches on the various questions submitted to the convention, are published in the report of its proceeding, and are among the. ablest in the volume. They are particulaily worthy of note, for (he clear and comprehensive manner in which they discus the great principles of government, and fur their soundness, moderation aod justice. But il is not the mere display of talent or wisdom, that illustrates this portion of Mr. Van Duron's history, His conduct in the convention is entitled to other, and we doubt not posterity will deem it, higher praise the praise which belongs to independence, magnanimity and virtue. He entered it under circumstances most llatlering to his pride the acknowledged leaderof a triumphant majority; he was compelled before the termi-nation of the session, either to assent to a course of proceeding in relation to the judiciary establishments, which l)e deemed uncalled for and improper, or to separate from some of the oldest and most valued of his friends. He cl.os-e, without hesitation cr mis'iviie. the latter alternative, and was placed, as he foresaw would he the consequence, in the ranks of the minority. 1 lii conduct, on this occasion, was so evidently the result of principle, that those of his party who differed from him in opu iun, honored him the mote for his firmness and integrity the separation it produced, was therefore confined to the questions which occasioned i!. lie look his scat in the Senate of the I. States in December, 12l. In 1327, lie was re-elected to the same station. TodcsCiibe, (he. share taken bv. him in the proceedings o the Senate, would be to copy the journals of that body for the seven years daring which lie was a member, lie fore the end of (he session, he had established, in an assembly containing such men as it U tin King and Win. Pinckney-, a reputation ol the highest grade, which was successfully maintained in after years. Il has often been demonstinlcd, that t.!its taicaslie remaik of Mr. Burke, 'that lawycis aie not at home in hgi lative assemblies,'' has no application to ill'. American bar. Of this, Mr Van Buren furnishes a new and signal proof. In the Senate ol New Voik Ik showed himself a!) able and s-agaciou-legislator; in tiic Senate of the United States his sphere of action w.is-not only greatly extended but the subjects ol deliberation proportionally difficult and complicated; yet here, also, he displayed a reach and comprehension of in -tellect, and a degree of practical wisdom and enlightened forecast which entitle him to the appejalion and the honors of a statesman. As a ready and successful debater, he hud no superior. Several of his speeches, particularly those in favor of the bill abolishing im prisonment for debt, and in support of the law making provisions lor (he olli cers and soldiers of the revolution, have been ranked among the finest specimen: of eloquence ever heard in the Senate Those on the Panama mission, on the organization of the judiciary, and on the right of the Vice t resident to con trol the freedom of debate, were con spicuous for luminous discussion, and lor sound views ol constitutional policy Reports of some of them have been published, nut "inougn me massive trunk of sentiment remains," the "blos soms of elocution," in each case, and the fruits of senilis in the most of them hav dronned away." This must he said ofcverv attempt to perpetuate hi Fiicechcs. whether Ht the bar or in the Senate. His utterance is so rapid, that no short hand writer can follow him

KlSIXtt 121A?TA, SATl'UDAY, ttCTOBESS 8. 1S8.T.

with accuracy; and he has rarely ever submitted to the drudgery of writingout a speeci. :or, mueeo, is lie capaiiie, X ' i i i i I by any alter labor of doing justice to his own iffuls; for bis brilianl passages are so entirely extemporaneous, that they can neither be repeated by others nor recalled by himself. The course pursued by Mr. Van Buret! as a Senator, both in respect to the toreign policy of tne nation, and to our domestic concerns, was in perfect harmony with the doctiines lie had previously maintained. One of his first efforts was, to revive the distinctive principles of the party in which he had been bred, and from which as he supposed. Mr. Monroe's administration, especially during its second term, had continually swerved. Although the exertions made by him to effect this end, were not very successful, they attracted general attention, and were decidedly approved by the democracy of the union. He also took a leading part in the presidential election in 102-1, and the canvass which preceded it. Believing the election of Mr. Crawford more likely at that peiiod to bring back the government to the Jcilersoniun policy, than that of any of his competitors, he gave to that gentleman his vigorous support. Ilis perseverance, under the most adverse circumstances, in the support of that upright and persecuted citizen, is well known; as is also the overwhelming defeat, both in his own state, and in the union, w hich terminated the contest. In that catastrophe, his enemies, ignorant or forgetful of the recuperative power of talents and integrity vainly imagined, they saw the dow nfall, if not the end, of his influence and success; but before another year had el.ipsed, he occupied a position more elevated than ever. The first step towards that position, was the wise de termination to take no part in the de cision by the Houje of Representatives, a resolution adopted by the friends of Mr. Crawford, with the double motive of retaining their usefulness after the contest should be decided, and of preerving tnemselves from the charge of coalescing w ith their opponents. After the election, Mr. van Luren advised iiis fi iends at ho lie to abstain from all icls of hostility towards Mr. Adams; to give him a fair trial, and to judge of his administration by Ins acts. Iiis course in the senate was governed by the same principles; and it was not until the great question of the Panama mission that he found occasion to depart from it. Hi opposition to that measure; the interesting considerations connected with it; and the judgment which the people have pronounced on the conduct of 11100 who supported and those who opposed it, aie well known. It was after taking this stand, an act which drew upon him the marked hos tility of Mr. Adams Cabinet, and the open denunciations of their supporters that he was re-elected to the Senate, by the legislature of New York. His connexion with the great contest of 1020, and hi eflictent instrumentality in bringing about that triumphant rei . i i " i i sun, v.nicn, to use ins own language, while il infued fresh vigor into our political system, and added new beaulies to the republican character, once mote refuted tne odious imputation that Repuuhcs are ungrateful, need not be le hearsed. With the electors of President and Vice President for the state of New Yoik, a governor of the state was also to be chosen, to succeed the distinguish 1 and lamented Clinton. Yielding to the pressing demand of the Republicans of New ork, Mr. Van Buren consen ted to 1 ecome a candidate for the of fice, and w;is subsequently elected. This event made it necessary that he should retire from the Senate of the United Slates, and he accordingly rc signed his seat in that body in January 1829. Before we follow him to tin chief magistracy of his native state, it wil be proper to notice two or three point connected with his services in the Sen ate to which no reference has yet bee rmtie. During the whole period of those services, the nation was agitate bv discissions on bill for regulatin the tariff, and for constructing internal imnrovements. As a Lrre.it m iioirty of the people of New Yor, were deci dedly in favor of the protective system ami of the bills imposing additional lu lies passed in 1824 and 1828, Mr. Van

Buren' votes on these bill wcie gov

erned by (heir wishes and instruction it being with him a cardinal maxim, that the representative is bound to express the sentiments of his constituents, w hr-i-.-ever those sentiments can be cleaily ascertained. But whilst he was always ready to aid in the protection of the manufacturing interest, by advocitirii: the adoption by all necesary and reasonable measures, he was not prepared to build up their.interest at the expense of others equally important to the well being of the nation. Deeply sensible that the union of the states could only be kept up, by the constant exercise of that spirit of concession and compromise in which it was formed, he earnestly inculcated upon the representatives of the manufacturing states, the importance of limifins; their demand to the lowest practicable point; the mischief to be apprehended, both in a pecuniary and national point of view, from extravagant and oppressive duties; and the benefits to be dome I from a reduction of the revenue to an amount barely sufficient to pay the national debt, and carry on an economical government. The wise and liberal sentiments entertained by him in thi respect, were made, not unfrequenl!y,the topics ofaccusation in his own state. In I 827, these accusations increased to such an extent, ihat he availed himself of the opportunity afforded him by a public meeting held in Albany on the subject of the then proposed Harrisburgh convention, to lay before that meeting, in a speech of considerable length, hi general views on the whole subject, as well as an explanation of the course he pursued, whilst a member of the Senate, on the particular hills which had come before that body. This speech which was afterwards published, had not only the effect of satisfying the people cf New York in legard to the course of the senator who made it, but it had also a tendency to modcra'e the hiijh taii'.i sentiments of some of Lis contituenfs. The recent history of the ation,and above all the bill jut passed for the reduction of the dutie, have fully vindicated the wisdom, foresight md patriotism of Mr. Van Buren's course in relation'to this most important ma uiiucuu sunject. In regard to internal improvements, Ir. Van Buren, had ahvavs but one opinion, viz: that it was not intended y the framcrs of the constitution to confer on Congress the power of con structing them; and that the power, if xercised at all, ought (o be sacredly confined to objects of a strictly national character. With perhaps a single ex ception, his votes in the Senate, were in strict accordance with these views. Pile case alluded to, as constituting a possible exception, is thus stated bv himself. 4,Mr. Van Buren is by no means certain, that in this respect he iimself has been altogether without ault. At the very first session after he came into the Senate, the knowledge of the perpetual drain that the Cum )etland road was destined to prove upon the public treasury, unless some means were taken to prevent il, and a sincere desire to go at ah times, as far is he could conisienlly will. iheontitution to aid in the iisunoveeieiit, and promote the prosperity of the western country, had induced him with out full examination, to vote for a pro vision, authorizing the collection of toil on this road. This affair of the Cum berland road, in respect to its reference to the constitutional powers of this gov ernment, is a matter entirely sin generis, It was authorized during the adminis tration of Mr. Jefferson, grew out o! the disposition of the territory of the U. Stales and had the. consent of the stales through which it passed. He has never beard an explanation of the subject, (although it has been a matter of constant reference,) that has been satisfactory (o his mind. All he can say, is, (hat if the question wi re again presented to him he would vote against it; and that his regret for having done otherwise, would be greater, had not Mr. Monroe, much to his credit, put his veto upon the bill; and were it not (he only vote in the course of a seven year's service, which the most fi-tnliou critic can torture into an in'onitcin y willi the principles which Mr. an Buren prt'e.--ei to maintain, and i:i lb," justice ,f vvliirh. h- i evciy day more and mora; oufu mcd." Mr. Van Buren cMered upon u. office of Governor of New York, on the first of January, 1 829, and administered

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government until the ! 2;h of March louotv ii g v. i.on ne r. stgne.. in qur-ree of his xppoiet mjnt Se; i Coe.SOre'arv Of (he of State of the United S tates. ability a;.d upr tit. w i i ! i m 1 discharged the duties cf the chief magistral y, there is high and honorable proof. Resolutions expressive, of the '-highest respect fr his'virtues and talents."' ami tendering to him the congratulation cf the representatives of (he I . ! i I . ' . . - t i oeooif, wnii "ineir earnest wili tii.it laphe might eejoy a full menure of iiiuess anu prosperity in tne new spnere of public duty to which he va about to be removed," were unanimously passed by both branches of the legislalure, tiioiiga a con! lera ie. each hou-e be longed t the parly posed to Iiii cI?ciio;i. The like o;i : i "l - meats were expios-ed in terms still more flattering and a!l" ( (locate, by the republican members, who. trae-eni'ted him a con.munic.atio.i on the eve of UU departure for Washington, in which al fer expressing "their Hiiiei.eiejit to his person, their respect for his character, and (heir regret at lh a::i(ion that was about to take pi. ice,"' they terdered him their letcnowletlgements "tor the. numerous and impoitant spi vices which he nod rendered to the ta'e. partieulaily in sustaining those political principles which Iney believed to be most intimately blended with its lighest ai d dearest interests." These proceedings, in connexion with (hose had since his rejection bv the senate may be takeo a an index of the estimation in which he is held by the people of his native slate, and of the character of their feelings towards him. Immediately .after his reignation as Governor of New York, he repaired to the post assigned him by the Presi dent. The qualities of his mind, temper uui manners, were peculiarly adapted to the duties of a cabinet minister, and more especially to those of the s'ate cpartment. W hilst he occupied le.is station, he showed himself a safe contituliorial adviser, by recommending on all occasions, a strict and scrupulous adherence to toe terms of the constitution a liberal regard to the interest of each portion of the union a sincere Jeferetice to tne independence and sovereignty of the states, wherever those attribute remained to them an honest, vigilant and frugal administra tion at home;iin i watchful and provident attention to our concerns witii foreign nations. The management of those concern, so far as it devolved on him, was precisely what il should have been. Hi demeanor to.vards the agents of foi eign powers, w as on all occasions frank, conciliatory and dignified; his despatches contained nothing rhetorical, offensive or imprudent : ihe affiirs to which they related were discussed in a plain bu-ines like manner; our own views and claim were cleailv stated, and when founded :; (rath and justice, inibxii ly maintained ; the pretensions el oar opponents wcie candidly consider ed ; an d in accordance -.villi the character and policy of the 'resident, every tieut was made to conduct our diplomatic arrangements in the spiiit. of sincerity and justice. The success which attended his laeors as Secretary of S'ate. is too well known to need to be repeated. Mr. Van Buren held the office of Secretary of State until dune, ltUl, when he retired from that important and honorable trust which he had voluntarily resigned in the preceding April. The reluctant assent of Gen. Jackson to the resignation of Mr. Van Buren, was accompanied by a warm testimonial of unlimited onfidence in his abilities an I integrity. A further proof was soon after given of bis . confidence, in the nnnoinlment of Mr. Van Buren as minister to Great Britain. In making this appointment, (he President wamainlv influenced bv lb" In lief that Mr. Van Buien would be more likely (ban any one he could elect to negotiate a satisfactory adjustment ef the delieate anil dangerous questions concerning blockades, imptcs.-unents and the right of search, which occasioned the late war with Great Britain, and which yet remain unaposed of. Tire President justly thought the amicable settlement of these questions an object of deep i nt ere -r, not only the two nations, loit to the world'; and that it, therefore, demanded (be best talents of the country, lie alo supposed that Mr. Van Buren from his intimate knowledge of our relaloins with the several pow

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eis cf f-'urope, would be able to render essential aid to our ministers on that c t ailment ; anil that he might, in various other ways, promote the public interest Mr. ! hetitiring his resilience at London. Vaii Buren felt the whole force of ' considerations, and he was, moreover, very willing to withdraw, for the usual period of a foreign mission, from the turmoil of party. He therefore readily complied with the wishes of the President, by accepting (lie appointment I hough most cf his political and personal friends were exceedingly adverse to it, on the ground that his absence from the country would materially impair his political prospects at home. This being the principal motive of their objection, he did net think them sufficiently important to defer him from engaging in ;i service, which promised, if suceessfu!, to be not less useful to his ceii:i!r than honorable to himself. He landed in Kngland in S plember 123 1, and was soon after received at touit . with distinguished favor. liisappointmen. however, remained to be confirmed by the nfo. It was submitted to tiial body in !ecembcr following, and after various postponements was finally negatived, by the casting vote of the Vice President, on the 2Gth of January, 10.32. In consequence of this event Mr. Van Buren was immediately recalled, and. has recently landed on his natal soil. Of the reasons assigned for Ins rejection, it cannot, in this place, be nccesary to speak, farther than to remark, that if any reliance can be placed o:i repeated and spontaneous expressing of the public voice and in matters r.i (hi sort the people never err then were those reasons utterly insufficient. The popular feelings excited by this course of the Senate, has been further exemplified in his recent nomination for the Vice Presidency an event, which when be left the counu v. he neither looked for nor desired. V. e have, thus presented a rapid 'ketch of (be professional "and public ii io of Mai tin Van Buren. It illustrates in a manner the most impressive, o:.e of the happiest principles of our excellent frame of government its tendency to draw out. and foster talent and integrity, and secure to them, in spile of every thing by w hich (heir progress may be impeded, the honors they deseive. We have seen (hat he "owed nothing to birth or ancestry nothing to property or to patronage. And though like others of our public men,fhe was greatly indebted to the press of his parly, for the occasional vindications of hi character .and conduct, he was not like seme of them, helped along in his career, by a systematic course of newspaper panrgvric. On the other hand, he encountered from opposing prints, an unusual degree of obloquy and reproach. In person, Mr. Van Buren is'neither above nor below the middle height; his figure is erect and graceful bis frame slender and apparently delicate, but capable of sustaining severe and long continued exertion the general expression of his features, animated and agreeabl j his eyes quick and piercing iiis head, (which is now quite bald,) particularly Ins foreaead, of unusual siz' and admirable formation. The private character of Mr. Van Buren may be commended without reserve. Enmity itself" has rarely ever ventured to reproach orsuspect it." In iiis intercourse with the world, the juslice, propriety, and benevolence of his condnct render him a model for imitation ; whilst the ease and frankness of Iiis manners, and his happy talent for eonveis ttion, make him (he ornament, of the social circle. Blessed with a di-po-itioo at once firm, amiable, and for'oeai ing; and uniting with a just x ll re-pet t. habitual self control; he ha been able amid the perplexities of htig ition, the cares of fnce, and the content ion of party (o preserve tie- serenity of hi temper, and to blend wiih a vigilant altc-niton to his own character ami rights, a constant observance of (he courtesies of life and a setlulou regard to the feelings of others. No man ever numbered among his personal friends, a greater proportion of his political opponents. Even in times of the greatest excitement, those of them who enjoyed his acquaintance, always accorded him their respect, usually (heir confidence and esteem. A convention of editors and publishers in Georgia, was to have been holder, at Milledgeyille on the 2d of August..

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