lacked in actual fighting, and now put forth claims similar to those of the redoubtable Falstaff. The real fighting was mainly done by Democrats and old-line conservative Whigs, who were favored with more opportunities to display their courage than to receive compliments and favors at the hands of the Government. The enormous sacrifice of men and means in this war came from not following the salutary advice of General Jackson's Farewell Address.

81.-MARTIN VAN BUREN.

Mr. Van Buren acquired his eminence by the force of his mind and unsurpassed energy. His parentage was respectable, but not such as to give him special advantages in the start or progress of his elevated career. His early education was moderate, but whatever knowledge he acquired, whether in school or the law-office, was clearly, and distinctly, and permanently impressed upon the mind. He was never satisfied in half learning or understanding any thing, but made sure that whatever he undertook he perfectly mastered. In studying legal principles, he was not content in merely remembering what he found written in the books, but his investigations never ended until he learned the reason of the rule laid down. In practising his profession as a lawyer, he relied far more upon the reasons in favor of his own positions than upon the authority of great names and accepted writers. This gave him superior advantages, which contributed largely to his success. In giving advice and in preparing cases, like Felix Grundy, he settled in his own mind what he thought, upon principle, was clearly right, and acted accordingly, and was seldom wrong.

He was born at Kinderhook, Columbia County, N. Y., December 5, 1782, and was admitted as an attorney in 1802, and commenced practice in his native town, but soon removed to Hudson, where the field of professional labor was larger. While a student he took an active part in the political contests in the county, and, espousing the Democratic party, he came in conflict with the leading Federalists of the day. The efforts of these politicians to crush him, contrary to their expectations, contributed

essentially to his success and elevation in the world. It tended to increase his energies and sharpen his faculties, and he soon rose to be the equal of those who hoped he would fail. His constitution was strong, his health good, and his mental faculties never tired, and his industry never flagged. His character, in every respect, was above reproach, while his manners and appearance were highly in his favor. Neither envy, hatred, nor malice, could stay the progress of such a man. He steadily rose, step by step, until he reached the highest position in our Government.

Always honest in his intentions, and firm and unwavering in his purposes, and persevering in whatever he undertook, he soon became a favorite with the Democracy of his county, and eventually of the State and nation. The Democrats in 1808 first manifested their respect and confidence by conferring upon him the responsible office of Surrogate of Columbia County, which he held many years. He was next, in the spring of 1812, elected State Senator for four years, at the end of which term he was reëlected. His rise was now rapid. When General Hull was tried for his cowardly if not treasonable conduct in the surrender of Detroit, he was selected as judge-advocate, and performed the duties in a manner which elevated his character as a lawyer. During the War of 1812 he was Governor Tompkins's right-hand man in the Legislature. When the question of constructing the Erie and Champlain Canals was before the Legislature, contrary to the wishes of some of his friends, he espoused these measures and lent them invaluable support. He was appointed Attorney-General of the State of New York in 1815, and continued to hold the office until removed by his political opponents in 1819. Athough residing in Albany, he was elected a delegate to the convention. of 1821, to revise the State constitution, by the Democracy of Otsego County.

During the same year he was elected to the Senate of the United States, and took his seat in December. In that body he immediately rose to a high position. He was reëlected in 1827, but resigned on the 1st of January, 1829, on being elected Governor of New York, which office he resigned in March, having been appointed Secretary of State by General Jackson. This

office he resigned on the 7th of April, 1831, because circumstances beyond his control had placed him before the country as a candidate for the presidency, a position which he thought incompatible with a proper discharge of his duties as the head of a department. The duties of the office of Secretary of State were never more ably and efficiently performed than by Mr. Van Buren. Soon after his resignation as Secretary, General Jackson, in vacation, appointed him minister to Great Britain. The enemies of the Democracy were at that time in a majority in the Senate, and his nomination as minister was rejected, 26th January, 1832, by the casting vote of John C. Calhoun, then Vice-President, and president of the Senate. It is believed that there was a well-understood arrangement among his opponents to place the responsibility of his rejection on the shoulders of Mr. Calhoun, of which he had no knowledge. When the news of his rejection reached London, he was met by a distinguished member of the British Government, who, instead of looking upon him as a dishonored and fallen statesman, remarked that he had never known a person to reach the highest political positions without at some time having been. temporarily the victim of the injustice of his enemies.

On returning home, Mr. Van Buren was most cordially received by his political friends. The greetings of General Jackson were cordial and sincere. The whole country felt that gross injustice had been done to Mr. Van Buren by his rejection. No man then living was more fit for the English mission. The authors of the rejection believed that their vote would deprive him of public confidence, and defeat any future aspirations he might have. In the minds of the people the question was, not what the Senate thought of him, but whether he had been unjustly dealt by. The electors condemned the act by their votes.

General Jackson had consented, contrary to his own wishes, and former expressed opinions, if nominated again, to run for the presidency. A nominating convention from all the States met at Baltimore, on the 22d of May, 1832, when he was unanimously renominated for the presidency. Mr. Van Buren was selected for Vice-President. The election resulted in a great Democratic triumph, Mr. Van Buren receiving the same vote as General

Jackson, except in Pennsylvania. On the 4th of March, 1833, both were sworn into office, Mr. Van Buren becoming presiding officer over the Senate which the year before had rejected his nomination as minister to England-a triumph, although it did not seem to affect him, which was keenly felt by those engaged in the movement to crush him. He was a most dignified and impartial presiding officer, and commanded the respect of all who preserved their own self-respect, and a proper regard for the Senate,

The people were not satisfied with the rebuke they had administered for the wrong done Mr. Van Buren. In 1836 he was nominated for the office of President, and was elected. The nullifiers at the South, and the abolitionists at the North, made common cause with the Whigs against him, although professing conflicting political opinions. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, who ran with Mr. Van Buren for Vice-President, lacking one vote of a majority, was elected Vice-President by the Senate. Both were sworn in on the 4th of March, 1837.

On assuming the duties of the office of President, Mr. Van Buren exhibited qualities fitting him for the high position that few supposed he possessed. He was prompt in the discharge of all his duties, and soon satisfied every one about him that he was President in fact as well as in name. He made calls upon his Cabinet for information, and assigned its members duties to perform, so that B. F. Butler said it reminded him of former days in Mr. Van Buren's law-office in Albany. Every duty devolving upon him as President was performed promptly, and all necessary responsibility was cheerfully borne. On the other hand, he held all about him responsible for what the law, or duty, devolved upon them. He never interfered with the rights and privileges of the members of his Cabinet, or any one else. When asked for a clerkship in one of the departments, his reply was, that he had not the power to appoint one, and both his inclination and duty forbade his interfering with matters that did not belong to him.

As a business man Mr. Van Buren had no superior. He transacted business without any apparent effort or labor, and it never accumulated on his hands. When office hours were over

he usually found time for a horseback-ride before dinner. The dignity, proprieties, and hospitalities of the Executive mansion were sustained on all occasions with the greatest propriety. He was attentive to those friends who were sick, looking after their wants, and giving them rides in the country when able to bear them. Contrary to the custom of some Presidents, he visited the families of the members of his Cabinet. In his every-day living he preserved his early taste and relish for the Dutch dishes which his mother had made for her family, and they were very often on his table.

In another place we have given most of the leading events of his administration, and cannot repeat them. He failed in his reëlection, not because he was in any respect in the wrong, but owing to a combination of circumstances which prevented a right appreciation of what he had done. His reply to the address of his friends inviting him to a public dinner on his return to the city of New York will ever remain a proud monument of his dignity and superiority as a man, and of his unbounded confidence in the people, and especially in their sober second thought.

In the Baltimore Convention of 1844 Mr. Van Buren received a majority of the votes, but, owing to the adoption of the twothirds rule, failed of a nomination.

In 1848 he consented to be governed by the judgment and wishes of certain of his friends, and, yielding his own inclinations, reluctantly consented to run for President when there was no hope of an election. This error of his friends was visited upon him, and defeated all future chances of success. But it had no effect upon his political principles, which remained uniformly and firmly Democratic to the end of his life. On retiring from the presidency, Mr. Van Buren returned to his native town, and became a cultivator of the soil until his death, July 24, 1862. His last years were spent most pleasantly among those ancient Dutch families in Columbia County, who, like him, continued to speak their native tongue on all convenient occasions. Mr. Van Buren was an eloquent as well as a forcible speaker. In an address to the jury, at Hudson, in a seduction case, he is said to have drawn tears from every eye in the court-house. His conversation had a peculiar fascination and charm about it, which was