State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-15
THE STATE JOURNAL.
MONTPELIER, MARCH Is, 1886.
For the State Journal.
CHAUNCEY L. KNAPP, EDITOR.

'~'NNN
The editor of the Patriot says, democracy
and ariStocracy are sufficiently explicit
terms. They may be so to him, but all do
not possess his knowledge, judgment and
sagacity. To such-and.I am among the
number-a clear definite and exact expla-
nation would be most acceptable. Will
not the editor furnish it to inform us
what those terms mean now, and what they
meant in the days of the administrations of
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and
whether their meaning has since then, I'M
dergone any change? At the same time,
would respectfully ask him to give the
explanation Of the term federal, with its
former and present Specification | wish
light upon these matters, and surely he can
give it, for will not suppose that he uses
those terms SO frequently as he does, with
out perfectly understanding their meaning.
used to hear my good old father, now
dead and gone, say of Mr. Such-a-one, he
is federal,' and not knowing the meaning
of the term, although from the manner and
the tone of voice in which it was spoken,
could see that there was something odious
and reproachful in its signification,) l once
inquired why he gave Mr. - such name,
and what he meant by it. Why, said he,
ne was against Madison he opposed the
war; lie did not give aid and encourage
nent and support to the administration
which declared and carried it on. This, in
the mind of my old revolutionary father,
constituted the difference between demo-
crat and federal, and this he taught me to
consider rs the distinction between the two
parties Of late these distinctions | have
not observed to be so wildly drawn be-
tween tho existing parties in this country.
have had but little time and less opportu
nifty TO see and read the newspapers. But
such as have been within my reach have
read, some OH one side and some on the
other, aud | endeavorcd, keeping my old
fathers distinction in mind, to ascertain the
true democratic party and go with that
party in the elections. Well, found that
Gen. Jackson, who | knew to be a demo-
Grat, because he fought for the country
during the war, was q candidate on one
side, and Henry Clay, who l also knew to
be democrat, because he voted for Madi-
son and supported, most strongly and ably,
the war in Congress, was candidate on
the other. Both candidates, supposed TO
be democratic candidates. And the news
papers which supported, each called them
so, and strenuously insisted they were So
l then looked around, in order to satisfy
myself about it, TO see which of the candi-
dates the old federals supported and were
going to vote for. On looking about home
among such as my father had called fede-
rails, found some for Jackson and some
for Clay-and so, as near as ] could learn
it was all over the country. then conclu-
ded, that rs Jackson and Clay both were
democrats, could support either without
sacrificing my principles and suhjectine
myself TO the reproach of being federal
Accordingly, being at liberty to vote fol
the one that, under all the circumstances,
liked the best, and always preferring the
man that acted, to one who only talked, my
support was willingly yielded to Genera
Jackson. Since then, four years have al
most passed away, and the time is nearly
come when am again TO give vote for I
democratic candidate for the highest ant
most exalted station on the eartII-that
President of the United States. Iagain he
gin to look into the papers, for since tn
election of Gen. Jackson | have contentet
myself mostly with rOting, not reading, Il
see who is the democratic candidate 70
President. In the papers which see, {
,oiH read both sides,) are the names o
MARTIN VAN buren, and Gen. VILLA,
Henry HARRIsoN; and both, too, in tn
papers which support them, are asserted
and claimed to be the democratic candi
dates. Keeping still in mind the distinction
so justly and truly made by my father,
sought after and gained knowledge of III
political character and conduct OF thes
Two men-determine to judge and decid
by that criterion, political character an
conduct, to which of the parties, federal o
democratic, they belonged ! went back I
Ahe last war, when our country was bal
ling with the richest, haughliest and mos