Litchfield Enquirer

Mr. Van Buren.—The editor of the Williamstown (Mass.) Advocate has, for several weeks past, been amusing his readers with an interesting account of a 'tour which he has recently made through some of the beautiful towns and villages which are scattered along the banks of the Hudson. One of the villages through which he passed, it appears, is the native place of Mr. Van Buren, Secretary of State.—

The editor, who is politically opposed to Mr. Van B. thus notices this gentleman in connection with his birthplace.

"One of these villages deserves particular mention. It is Kinderhook, situated on the east side of the river, eighteen or twenty miles below Albany, and containing about 3,000 inhabitants, it is celebrated as the birth-place of Mr. Van Buren, the second officer in the present, and designed for the first in the next National Administration. His parents were extremely poor—so much so that when thirst after knowledge prompted him to employ his long winter evenings in reading books loaned to him by friends: they could not afford to furnish him with oil or candles, and he was forced to search the forest for pine knots which he split up and used for that purpose. After acquiring enough of the rudiments of science to appreciate its value, and being prevented by pecuniary circumstances from obtaining a public education, he commenced the study of law in his native village, and was admitted to the bar at the age of 22. He subsequently practised at Sandy Hill and in Albany, and has rapidly risen through the various grades of civil office to the distinguished station he now occupies. He is emphatically what has been said of Franklin, Rittenhouse, and Roger Sherman—a self made man. Loud complaints have been made by his opponents that he has ruled the State and oppressed the people; but if they had spent half the time in endeavoring to elevate themselves that they have in fruitlessly trying to undermine his standing, they, and no doubt the public, would have been better off. The only fault to be found with Mr. Van Buren is, that his habits of intense thought and untiring industry have raised him above his fellows who trusted to the advantages conferred on them by high birth and princely wealth. It has been said that 'whatever has been done by man, can again be done by man.' Whether this is a true maxim or not we shall not attempt to decide; but we do say, that industry lies at the very foundation of all true greatness, and no man can rise much above his ordinary level without exerting it. All young men cannot occupy the chair of the Secretary of State, but all who are industrious and aim high, will most certainly reach an enviable eminence."