Martin Van Buren was an American President who was born on December 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, New York, and died on 24th July 1862. Martin was the 8th president of the US after serving as the 8th vice President as well as the 10th secretary of state under President Andrew Jackson.
Martin Van Buren was among the founders of the Democratic Party. His friends referred to him as the “Little Magician” while His enemies called him the “Sly Fox” due to His reputed cunning and also His skills as a politician.
In 1796, Martin was apprenticed to Francis Silvester- a lawyer and he participated in His court case at the age of 15 years which he worn. He completed His legal studies in New York and went back to Kinderhook and began practice with His half-brother Van Alen in 1803. His wife died in 1819 and he never remarried.
As a young lawyer, Martin was involved in New York politics. He was the leader of the “Albany Regency” which was an effective political organization in New York. In 1821, he was elected to the US senate. The Little Magician was later elected as the vice president of the United States on a Jacksonian ticket in 1832 and 1836, he won the presidency. He was the first president born as a U.S. citizen. With His inability to deal with the economic crisis of 1837 and also with the surging Whig Party, he was defeated in the 840 elections. Below are quotes about Martin Van Buren that will help you progress your dreams politically and also be alert on political matters.
Martin Van Buren quotes
1. “There is a power in public opinion in this country – and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers – which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in His weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of His fellow-citizens.”– Martin Van Buren
2. “Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.”– Martin Van Buren
3. “The national will is the supreme law of the Republic, and on all subjects within the limits of His constitutional powers should be faithfully obeyed by the public servant.”– Martin Van Buren
4. “Railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of fifteen miles per hour by engines which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to the crops, scaring the livestock, and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such break-neck speed.”– Martin Van Buren
5. “I am more than ever convinced of the dangers to which the free and unbiased exercise of political opinion – the only sure foundation and safeguard of republican government – would be exposed by any further increase of the already overgrown influence of corporate authorities.”– Martin Van Buren
6. “Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.”– Martin Van Buren
7. “In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties May certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.”– Martin Van Buren
8. “It seems proper, at all events, that by an early enactment similar to that of other countries the application of public money by an officer of Government to private uses should be made a felony and visited with severe and ignominious punishment.”– Martin Van Buren
9. “I never knew a man more free from conceit, or one to whom it was a greater extent a pleasure, as well as a recognized duty, to listen patiently to what might be said to him upon any subject under consideration….Neither, I need scarcely say, was he in the habit of talking, much less boasting, of His own achievements.”– Martin Van Buren
10. “To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly with the constitutional authority of the Federal Government.”– Martin Van Buren
11. “Banks properly established and conducted are highly useful to the business of the country, and will doubtless continue to exist in the States so long as they conform to their laws and are found to be safe and beneficial.”– Martin Van Buren
12. “I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men… in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor.”– Martin Van Buren
13. “I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His Providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days; May her ways beways of pleasantness, and all her paths be peace.”– Martin Van Buren
14. “For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution as it was designed by those who framed it.”– Martin Van Buren
15. “The United States have fulfilled in good faith all their treaty stipulations with the Indian tribes, and have in every other instance insisted upon a like performance of their obligations.”– Martin Van Buren
16. “We remain at peace with all nations, and no efforts on my part consistent with the preservation of our rights and the honor of the country shall be spared to maintain a position so consonant to our institutions.”– Martin Van Buren
17. “Every proper exertion has been made and will be continued to carry out the wishes of Congress in relation to the tobacco trade, as indicated in the several resolutions of the House of Representatives and the legislation of the two branches.”– Martin Van Buren
Related: James Madison’s Best Quotes
18. “With European powers no new subjects of difficulty have arisen, and those which were under discussion, although not terminated, do not present a more unfavorable aspect for the future preservation of that good understanding which it has ever been our desire to cultivate.”– Martin Van Buren
19. “With respect to the northeastern boundary of the United States, no official correspondence between this Government and that of Great Britain has passed since that communicated to Congress toward the close of their last session.”– Martin Van Buren
20. “It affords me sincere pleasure to be able to apprise you of the entire removal of the Cherokee Nation of Indians to their new homes west of the Mississippi.”– Martin Van Buren
21. “The atonement of Jesus Christ is the only remedy and rest for my soul.”– Martin Van Buren
22. “No evil can result from its [slavery’s] inhibition more pernicious than its toleration.”– Martin Van Buren
23. “If laws acting upon private interests can not always be avoided, they should be confined within the narrowest limits, and left wherever possible to the legislatures of the States.”– Martin Van Burren
24. “The condition of the tribes which occupy the country set apart for them in the West is highly prosperous, and encourages the hope of their early civilization. They have for the most part abandoned the hunter state and turned their attention to agricultural pursuits.”– Martin Van Buren
25. “The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.”– Martin Van Buren
26. “The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.”– Martin Van Buren
27. “Errors were doubtless committed on all sides, delusions set on foot which there was not time to dissipate and means, designed for good ends, perverted to bad purposes.”– Martin Van Buren
28. “it is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didnt.”– Martin Van Buren
29. “The people under our system, like the king in a monarchy, never dies.”– Martin Van Buren
30. “In a government whose distinguishing characteristic should be a diffusion and equalization of its benefits and burdens the advantage of individuals will be augmented at the expense of the community at large.”– Martin Van Buren
31. “Mutual forbearance and reciprocal concessions: thro’ their agency the Union was established – the patriotic spirit from which they emanated will forever sustain it.”– Martin Van Buren
32. “The law increasing and organizing the military establishment of the United States has been nearly carried into effect, and the Army has been extensively and usefully employed during the past season.”– Martin Van Buren
33. “The second, sober thought of the people is seldom wrong, and always efficient.”– Martin Van Buren
34. “I cannot expect to perform the task with equal ability and success.”– Martin Van Buren
35. “I shall tread in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor.”– Martin Van Buren
Related: Oliver Wendell Holmes Quotes
Video – Martin Van Buren 60 Second Presidents on PBS
If you want to learn more about Martin Van Buren, this is an awesome video. Quick, fun and educational!
Summary
Martin Van Buren was the 8th president of the U.S. and the first U.S. citizen to be president, which is outstanding. He was a brave person and a well-known lawyer who won His first case at the age of 15 years.
He has a legacy for his cunning and political expertise. If you are an ambitious individual with the desire to pursue politics or you are interested in political games, these are the best quotes for you about Martin Van Buren.
Image Credit: “8 Martin Van Buren” by US Department of State is marked with CC PDM 1.0
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