Martin Van Buren Quotes

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About Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862), eighth President of the United States (1837–1841) and a prominent figure in the early republican era, was born on a farm near Kinderhook, New York. His Dutch immigrant parents were Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes. Van Buren grew up with seven siblings, learning the values of thrift, integrity, and self-reliance from his industrious family. In 1796, at age fourteen, he entered the law office of John D. Yates in Kinderhook to study law. After passing the bar examination, Van Buren became an attorney in Kingston, New York, in 1803. Three years later, he returned to Kinderhook and practiced law there. In 1812, he was elected as a state senator and served until 1815. During this period, Van Buren played a significant role in shaping the democratic-republican party of New York, developing the "Albany Regime," a system of machine politics designed to unite competing factions under a single banner. His political career continued with the governorship of New York (1829–1831), where he implemented his policy of internal improvements and encouraged economic development. He then served as Secretary of State (1831–1836) under President Andrew Jackson, before being elected president himself in 1836. Van Buren's presidency was marked by the 'Panic of 1837,' a severe financial crisis caused by overextended banking and an unstable economy. Despite this setback, Van Buren is recognized for his firm stance against slavery and his commitment to American nationalism, which led to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, settling the boundary dispute between the U.S. and Britain. Post-presidency, Van Buren continued his political activities, advocating for a more isolationist foreign policy and opposing the annexation of Texas. He died in 1862 at the age of 79. Martin Van Buren's life and career reflect a dedication to democratic principles, party politics, and the growth and development of the young United States.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In politics, as in war, it is constitutionally impossible to take a step beyond our institutions and yet not to take a step forward."

This quote by Martin Van Buren suggests that progress in politics can be achieved while adhering to the constitutional framework of a nation. In other words, he's saying that even as we push for change or advancement, it must always be guided by the established rules and principles - the institutions - of our political system. This is true not only in politics but also in war, where every action must respect the laws and conventions of engagement to ensure progress without jeopardizing the stability and integrity of the conflict. In essence, Van Buren reminds us that progress requires both adherence to the rules and a willingness to innovate within those bounds.

"The great object should be to secure simple equality, to give to every citizen an equal chance, and then leave him to exercise his own talents and qualities without interference."

Martin Van Buren's quote advocates for a society where equal opportunities are provided to all citizens, regardless of their social status or background. He believes in the power of individual talent and ability, suggesting that if everyone has an "equal chance," they can excel based on their own merits without undue interference from external factors. This perspective promotes social mobility and equality of opportunity, encouraging personal growth and development within a fair and just society.

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both."

This quote by Martin Van Buren emphasizes the importance of an informed populace in a democratic system. Without access to information or means to acquire it, a government that is popularly elected may lack legitimacy, as its actions could be based on misinformation or lack of understanding. In such a scenario, the governance process might resemble a farce (a comedy with ludicrous or unrealistic characters and situations) or a tragedy (a play or story with a very sad or unfortunate ending), indicating that the government is not serving its citizens effectively and may lead to undesirable outcomes for society.

"To be President is a public trust, not a personal profit."

This quote by Martin Van Buren emphasizes that the role of the President is not for personal gain or enrichment but instead serves as a public trust, meaning it's a responsibility entrusted to him/her by the people for the benefit of the nation. It underscores the idea that leadership should prioritize the welfare and interests of the citizens over individual wealth accumulation.

"Let us have peace. It is a more precious commodity than all the treasures that lie hidden in the earth; more to be prized than all the power that can be concentrated in the hands of kings."

Martin Van Buren emphasizes that peace, not material wealth or political power, holds profound value. He suggests that peace is a treasure far greater than any earthly possessions or the power amassed by rulers, indicating the importance and irreplaceable nature of peace in human society.

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

Country, Maintain, Remain, Institutions

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

Last, United States, Britain, Boundary

The people under our system, like the king in a monarchy, never dies.

- Martin Van Buren

Never, System, Like, Monarchy

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

Law, Will, Faithfully, Subjects

Between Russia and the United States sentiments of good will continue to be mutually cherished.

- Martin Van Buren

Will, Russia, United States, Sentiments

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

Changes, World, Second, Multitude

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

Hands, Country, Incompetent, Wicked

Our country presents on every side the evidences of that continued favor under whose auspices it, has gradually risen from a few feeble and dependent colonies to a prosperous and powerful confederacy.

- Martin Van Buren

Country, Side, Confederacy, Risen

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

Will, Congress, Been, Tobacco

My conviction of the necessity of further legislative provisions for the safe-keeping and disbursement of the public moneys and my opinion in regard to the measures best adapted to the accomplishment of those objects have been already submitted to you.

- Martin Van Buren

Best, Been, Objects, Submitted

The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.

- Martin Van Buren

Government, Temporary, Guided

I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men... in receiving from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious predecessor.

- Martin Van Buren

Trust, People, Illustrious, Tread

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

New, Pleasure, Nation, Cherokee

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

Benefits, Diffusion, Large, Augmented

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

Country, Principle, Which, Strict

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

Country, Occupy, Turned, Tribes

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

Other, United, United States, Tribes

No evil can result from its inhibition more pernicious than its toleration.

- Martin Van Buren

Result, More, Than, Inhibition

As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.

- Martin Van Buren

My Life, Office, Happiest, Surrender

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

Been, United States, Carried, Season

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

Other, Private, Officer, Public Money

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

Country, Laws, Established, Highly

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

Good, Discussion, Been, Powers

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 Buren

Always, Laws, Private, Wherever

The case of the Seminoles constitutes at present the only exception to the successful efforts of the Government to remove the Indians to the homes assigned them west of the Mississippi.

- Martin Van Buren

Exception, Indians, Them, Case

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

Established, Patriotic, Sustain

On receiving from the people the sacred trust twice confided on my illustrious predecessor, and which he has discharged so faithfully and so well, I know that I can not expect to perform the arduous task with equal ability and success.

- Martin Van Buren

Trust, I Can, Predecessor, Confided

The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.

- Martin Van Buren

Better, Private, General, Interferes

The connection which formerly existed between the Government and banks was in reality injurious to both, as well as to the general interests of the community at large.

- Martin Van Buren

Which, Large, Banks, Interests

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