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![handle is hein.presidents/shjjhnis0001 and id is 1 raw text is:
SOF
MR. J. J. HARDIN, OF ILLINOIS,
REVIEWING THE
PUBLIC LIFE & POLITICAL tA INCIPLES OF MR, VAN BUREN.
DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 21, 1844.
MR. SPEArER: The precedent which was set on yesterday by the honorable gentle.
man from New York, (Mr. STETSON,) in confining his remarks to a defence of Mr. Van
Buren, and not alluding to the question before the House, I consider worthy of all imi-
tation; at d as the same course was pursued a few days since by a member from Ohio,
(Dr. DUNCAN,) I shall follow in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessors, without
once referring to the mock Dorr trial which some warm-blooded and light-headed gentle-
men are endeavoring to get up in this House, further than to say, that as the illustrious
hero of Chepachet, who is equally celebrated for his mighty feats, in issuing grandilo-
quent proclamations, and swift running, is now on trial in Rhode Island for offences
afleged to have been committed against that State, I am not willing to grant him a change
ofv,-nue to this House, as I know we have enough other business before us, without
sendino: for Governor Dorr and trying to discover whether he is more hero than racer.
4Wth this summary disposition of the Dorrite question, I will read the following reso-
lution, which will be found in a recent number of the Albany Argus, (Mr. Van Buren's
New York organ,) which was recently passed at a meeting of The Young Men's Van
Buren Association of Troy, New York.
Resolved, That in Martin Van Buren we recognise a faithful manifestation of Democracy, and AN
xEMrPnL O oo ni pacrsais, in and through whom there has been a MUTUALITY ofbenefits. Demo-
cracy has made tin what he is, and he in turn has reflected an added lustre upon Democracy.
Taking this as my text, I shall proceed to examine the public life of this manifesta-
tion of Democracy, and shall illustrate the invaluable public services of this exemplar
of Democratic principles by a reference to facts and to authenticated and indisputable
documents, wihih will perfectly dazzle his friends and the nation with the , added lustre
he has reflect(d upon Democracy.
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS OF 1824.
I shall begin by calling attention to the course pursued by Mr. Van Buren in -he Con-
gressional caucus of 1824, which nominated Mr. Crawford for President.
It is well known that the Congressional caucus of 1816 had created much heart-burning
in the 'epublican ranks, although there was a very general concurrence in the party in
supporting President Monroe. In 1824 this feeling had gained strength very gpnerally
in the Republican party, and throughout the Union ; and some of the State Legislatures,
as in Tennessee, had passed resolutions condemning it. Several most distinguished men
were then presented by their friends for the Presidential chair, amongst whom were Mr.
Adams, Mr. Crawford, General Jackson, and Mr. Clay. It was generally known and
admitted at Washington, that two-thirds of the members of Congress of the lRepublicaa
party were opposed to any Congressional caucus. Notwithstanding this diversity of
opinion, a portion of the members of Congress friendly to Mr. Crawford determined to
hold a caucus, and this caused a remonstrance against their proceedings by other memj
bers. The result of this state of things was, that two notices were published] on thi
same day in the National Intelligencer, (which will be found in Niles' Register of Feb--
runty 14, 1824,)-one calling a meeting of the members of Congress to nominate a can-
didate for President, and the other being a remonstrance against any such meeting. This
last paper, ,which is sig-ned by twenty-four members, amongst whom are R. M. Johnson,
'J. H. Eaton, R. Y. Hayne,. S. D. Ingham, Thomas Metcalfe, and J. R. Poinset, after
Prited at Q1DzNaoa'j Xiath ar5t1i washjuigtoa
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