State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-02

made their adhesion previous to November
next, and moreover, that by so doing we
should accomplish all we had been mining
at, by driving masonry from the national
councils. Next in order came the strange
manGuvering among certain great men at
the Convention in January last: then out
comes string of resolutions, spiced over
with little antimasonry, when 10! it was
then and there discovered for the first time,
that Antimasonry and Van Burcnism was
one and the same thing and this same
Gov. Palmer, who three short months be-
fore, was unworthy of confidence, becomes
a pretty good democrat and n very honest
politician.
Then comes the Antmasonic State Con-
vention for nominating a candidate for
President and State Officers. After an in
terchange of sentiments it was found that
a large majority of the peoples delegates
did not consider their constituents in the
market, put in nomination men whom the
people had delighted to honor who
had been tried and found faithful. Well,
what next? Why, we Immediately find
the motives of the majority of the Conven-
ton assaied and impugned with Vandal
ferocity and recklesness, not surpassed by
the oath bound brotherhood-a recklesness
that put every honest antimason TO the
blush, coming, not from our avowed enc
mics but from professed friends, men who
claim, very justly, to he the pioneers in our
cause.
! know it is claimed by some as valid
objection to our nominations, that they have
been adopted by the Wigs; but for one,
see no cause of alarm OH that ground.
We have always been willing they should
support our nominations, and the jackson
men, too, if they chose. We certainly
should have had no objection to either party
supporting our candidates last fall, in the
LegisIature,and thereby have saved the state
a pretty large sum. Indeed, consider it a
signal triumph to have the correctness of
our principles acknowledged by those very
parties that have so often united their
whole strength TO break us down; vet much
as am pleased with their seeming candor,
would not abandon my principles to
please them nor, indeed, would honorable
men expect it, Mr. Eaton complains that
| accuse him of a derelction of principle.
In that he is not correct. stated expressly
that we were more inclined to attribute his
course to another passion, to which, per-
haps, might be added the inlirmities of
age; and am strengthened in that opinion
by learning the prospect held out, of
nomination for the Senate. Perhaps it may
be considered somewhat assuming for one
OF my age and humble abilities, to question
the correctness of an old veteran editor !;
but as | have learned the principles of con-
stitutional liberty and old fashioned democ-
racy, freedom of opinion, of speech, and of
the press, are among its vital principles.
disclaims any right to interfere with Mr. Ea-
toms business, as a mechanic, and much
less to deny him the right of changing his
principles, yet do think that the relation
in which he stood to the party entitle them
to little more liberaity and candor at his
hands; as much, at least, as is manifested
by Mr. Barber, or as he himself was willing
to exercise towards an opposing party in
years past. And to conclude, | am not
able to see, according TO Mr. Eaton's rea-
soning, but that if all the New England
States should be brought to susport the
peoples favortc, as he is pleased to de-
nominate his favorite, it would prove
fatal to him in the end, for learn that most
of our ancestors were called FederaIists,
and of course the present generation are all
germs Of Federalism, whose support must
he sufficient to blast the popularity of any
man. A YOUNG CALIFORNIAN.
July %, 1886.
For the State Journal.
ERANI[IJN COITNTV