Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841

by Ted Widmer

of presidents as well as the most brilliant of American historians, said that the American president “resembles the commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.” The men in the White House (thus far only men, alas) in steering their chosen

Constitution. Wicked men, ambitious of power, with hatred of liberty and contempt of law, may fill the place once occupied by Washington and Lincoln.” The men in the White House express the ideals and the values, the frailties and the flaws, of the voters who send them there. It is altogether