Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/41

 MARTIN VAN BUREN 21 ing so much defence. As a politician he was mas terful in leadership so much so that, alike by friends and foes, he was credited with reducing its practices to a fine art. He was a member of the famous Albany regency which for so many years controlled the politics of New York, and was long popularly known as its &quot;director.&quot; Fertile in the contrivance of means for the attainment of the public ends which he deemed desirable, he was called &quot;the little magician,&quot; from the deftness of his touch in politics. But, combin ing the statesman s foresight with the politician s tact, he showed his sagacity rather by seeking a majority for his views than by following the views of a majority. Accused of &quot;non-committalism,&quot; and with some show of reason in the early stages of his career, it was only as to men and minor meas ures of policy that he practised a prudent reticence. On questions of deeper principle an elective judiciary, negro suffrage, universal suffrage, etc. he boldly took the unpopular side. In a day of unexampled political giddiness he stood firmly for his subtreasury system against the doubts of friends, the assaults of enemies, and the combined pressure of wealth and culture in the country. Dis pensing patronage according to the received custom of his times, he yet maintained a high standard of appointment. That he could rise above selfish considerations was shown when he promoted the