De Alexander

Perhaps, on the whole, nothing in Van Buren's official life showed greater political courage or discernment.

On his part, Clinton had little use for Rufus King; but his need of Federalist votes made him excessively cautious about appearing to oppose the distinguished Senator; although a deep-laid scheme, understood if not engineered by Clinton…

Under his observation, DeWitt Clinton had grown from young manhood, ambitious and domineering, accustomed to destroy the friend who got in his way with as much ease, apparently, as he smote an enemy.

For more than two decades, therefore, Rufus King had watched their control by methods, which a man cast in a mould that would make no concessions to his virtue, could not approve.

He deeply resented Clinton's control of the Federalists, because it made his father a leader only in name; and to show his dislike of Federalist methods he associated and voted with the Bucktails.

He was not a great lawyer, but his contemporaries thought him a great man.

People did not then know that he was to sit in the Cabinet of a President, and be nominated to a place upon the Supreme bench of the United States; but they knew he was destined to become famous, because he was already recognised as a…

But, at the time he was talked of for United States senator, the intelligent action and tireless industry upon which his fame rests, had so impressed men, that they overlooked unpopular traits in their admiration for his great ability.

Like his father, he asked no quarter and he gave none.

The rhetorical drapery that gave Samuel Young such signal success found no place in Spencer's arguments or in his pamphlets; but to a logic that deeply penetrated his subject he added an ethical interest which captivated the mind, as his…

He made it plain that England's insistence upon the right to stop and search an American vessel, and England's persistent refusal to recognise a naturalised American citizen on board an American vessel, were the real causes of quarrel.

Skilful in expression, adroit in attack, calm and resourceful in argument, with the sarcasm of the younger Pitt, he had presented American rights and British outrages in a clearer light than others, arousing his countrymen very much as the…

Though scarcely thirty-four years of age, he had established himself as a leading lawyer of the Commonwealth, whose strong, vigorous English in support of the war had found its way into Parliament as an unanswerable argument to Lord…

What Van Buren got from him he must take by votes, not by gifts.

New parties, like poets, are born, not made, and a love for principle, not a desire for spoils, must precede their birth.

Though the day was coming when a majority of the Clintonians and Federalists would make the backbone of the Whig party in the Empire State, a new party could not be built up by such methods as Clinton now introduced.

As a question of principle or expediency Clinton's conduct, therefore, admits of no defence.

Even then he need not have entered the caucus; but, once having voluntarily entered it, it was his plain duty to support its nominee.

Instead of managing, he temporised; instead of meeting his adversaries with a will, he did nothing, while they worked systematically and in silence.

Clinton committed the second great error of his life when he consented to bolt the caucus nominee of his party.

Once separated there can be no middle course; a neutrality party in politics, if not an absurdity, at least is evidence of indecision.

For years he had been a student of municipal and county affairs; and, in suggesting new legislation, he exhibited rare judgment and absolute impartiality.

Force, clearness and ability characterised his state papers.

In the performance of his official duties he mastered whatever he undertook and relied upon the people for his support; and so long as he stood for internal improvements and needed reform in the public service, he did not rely in vain.

Van Buren studied the game like a chess-player, taking knights and pawns with the ease of a skilful mover.