I regret to hear that the people of Battenville are possessed of so
little sound sense as to go 20 miles to shake hands with the
President at Saratoga Springs; merely to look at a human being who
is possessed of nothing more than ordinary men and therefore should
not be worshipped more than any mortal being, nor even so much as
many in the humble walks of life who are devoted to their God. Let
us look at his behavior and scan its effects on society. One day
while in New York was spent in riding through the streets preceded
by an extravagant number of military men and musicians, who were
kept in exercise on that and succeeding days of the week until all
were completely exhausted. On the next day, while he and his party
were revelling in their tents on luxuries and the all-debasing
Wine, many poor, dear children were crying for food and for water
to allay their thirst. On Friday evening he attended Park Theater
and on Monday Bowery Theater. Yes, he who is called by the majority
as most capable of ruling this republic, may be seen in the Theater
encouraging one of the most heinous crimes or practices with which
our country is disgraced.[7] Yes, and afterwards we find him
rioting at the Wine Table, the whole livelong night. Is it to be
wondered that there are such vast numbers of our population who are
the votaries of Vice and Dissipation? No, certainly not, and I do
not believe there ever will be less of this wickedness while a man
practising these abominable vices (in what is called a gentlemanly
manner) is suffered to sit at the head of our Government.

The future orator and reformer is plainly foreshadowed in this burst of
indignation, to which Mr. McLean replies in part:

I was agreeably disappointed in Van Buren's personal appearance.
From what I had heard of him as a little, smooth, intriguing
arch-magician, I expected his looks would bear that out but it was
far to the contrary. He is quite old and gray, very grave and
careworn. His dress was perfectly plain, not the least sign of
jewelry save his watch seal which was solid gold. I saw him drink
no wine, although there was plenty about him, nor did your father
and mother who saw him dine at the United States Hotel. If you do
not like him because he tastes wine, how can you like Henry Clay
who drinks it freely? Mr. Webster drinks wine al