Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-11-04
ADDRESS
To The Freemen ofthe Stale Of Termont, on
the reading Of The 9M resolution, al The
permont Stale CONF enti0n.
BY THE HON. WILLIAM sLADE.

vermont STATE Contention.
BY THE HON. WILLIAM sLADE.
FELLOW cIrIzENs:-The occurrence of
any great crisis in the affairs of commu-
nifty, justifcs the assembling of its citizens
to consult in regard TO the common safety.
and concert measures for the common good
To do so in the existing crisis in our ma.
tional affairs, Is the purpose which has
Brought together the convention that now
addresses YOU.
One of the highest duties devoving on
you as freemeD is about to be performed. -
AS citizens Of great Republic, you are to
exercise the high prerogatve of giving your
voice in the selection of its Chief EXecu
tive Magistrate and we are now assem-
oled to deliberate upon the questions IN
Voved in this elec;ion-to exchange freely
our views, and to express TO you and to the
world, in the spirit and language of free
then. the result Of our deliberations.
To our apprehension, there has been no
crisis in the history Of our national govern
mcnt, involving more directly than the
present, the principles on which our repub
llcan institutions are based. The Office OF
Chief Magistrate of the United States is
armed with great power. That power is
under the control of a single will and that
will possesses the means Of a prompt. eftl-
Client, and dangerous exercise. The dam
ger exists not alone in the Presidents con
slilu,ional power Of executing the laws,
nor IN his participation in their enactment;
but it assumes its most fearful form in the
influence which he is. enabled to exert upon
the decisions Of the other branches OF the
government, The independence of each
fNrn In tt,n,I vn n
ciple of the constitution. Let either &C
'qnlre, by any means, control over the dc
lberations and action of the others, and he
balance of the constitution is Destroyed
Give that control to he Chc' Executive
Magistrate, and the governmcn, is in effect,
transformed from Republic to Monar-
'chy.
The rccent course Of our national ad
mnl>tra'ion has strongly developed Thu,
danger. The power Of The President has
been greatly augmented. and the other
branches OF the government gradually
drawn within the vortex of his influence
so that the question now to be decided ~
the selection of thus officer, is not merely
what measures sl,aI! be adopted during his
administration affecting the current inter-
ests of the people, but wheiher the ConsH
sitution shall be preserved intioigbte--~ he
ther each department Of the government
shall retain its lSt p7crogatives, and move
IN It's Constitutional sphere. or the whole be
subjected To the ovcrsbadnN ing Influence
ola single man; whether, in short, the pure
rcpnblicansn of the constitution shall be
retained IN its full vigor, or whether it shall,
in the lDsidious progress of usurped prwer,
and perverted influence, be crushed and
eXilnguished.
These are Questions which force them
selves upon the consideration of the people
o'the U. States at the approaching election.
Subordinate to them are others which con.
Germ the policy OF the government, in re-
gard to the various interests to be lmme-
viately affected by legislative action
Such are the questions regarding the col
lection, safe keeping, aud disbursement ct
the public revenue; the management aud
disposition of the public lands; pro- ecllnn
TO the industry of the country by an adc-
nuatc tariff; the facilitating of intercourse
and commerce by roads and canals; pres
Crvation OF sound currency; and the free
and unrestricted interchange of opinions
and feelings between the various sections
of the country, which is necessary to con-
Time us zone people," Fellow citizens-
we ask you to come TO the decision of the
great question of the Presidency, in full
view OF all these high and commanding
considerations. II is not a question to b.
decided by impulses nor to b. controlled
by the influence of party names. and The
power of party prejudice. Ia" INTEGRITY
OF THE CONSTITUTION is involved. That
Constitution it is your business to under
stand,-to watch, with sleeplcss Jealousy,
every tendency TO its perverslon,-aa
to see that no man is permitted to WELD
the mighty power Of its chief Executive
Magistrate, who has not given proof that
he loves its sacred principles more than he
doves himself.
Who shall be select ed to discharge this
high trust Where is the mau who has
drunk so deeply into the spirit Of the Fa-
theirs of The Republic, and SO thoroughly
cvnced, by a long Course Of service, his
dsinleresl ed devotion to the public good
as to be worthy the confidence off nation
ofFreemen To deserve that confidence,
he must be something more than cunning
politician. He must be distinguished for
service of a far higher grade than can be-
found in the mere leader of party. He
must be more familiar with the constitu.
ton than with the construction and move-
nIents of party machinery; and have learn
ed TO value the office of Chief Magistrate
more for its power of comforting benefits
upon the country, than of miniSterlng to
the ambition of a party chief, and binding
to his interests. and drawing in his train.
host of mercenary dependan's.
Before answering the question, who IS
the man, we will say to you, fellow citizens
who, in our opinion, is not the man to be
safely intrus,ed with your confidence at
this important crisis.
And here we say at once-He Is not,
and cannot be, the man who has been 1.-THE
Father Of The obnoxious measures 9fHepres
ent administration" and pledged himself to
'.peUect ,chat Gen. Jackson has begun" TO
the leading measures of this administration,
Whpl her ttanI INN SON, - or unlnr Tho Dis