State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-10-25
ADDRESS,.
To THE FREEMEN OF THE STATE OF Ven.

FELLOW CITIzENs The occurrence OF
any great crisis in the affairs of connnu-
nifty justifes 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
tionul affairs is the purpose which has
brought together the Convention that now
addresses you.
One of the highest duties devoving on
you as freemen il about to be performed.
AS citizens of great Republic, you are 10
exercise The high prerogative OF giving your
voice in the selection of its Chief Execu-
tive Magistrate and we are now assembled
TO deliberate upon the questions involved
in this election--to exchange freely our
views, and to express TO You and to the
world, in the spirit and language Of free
men the result OF our deliberations.
To our apprehension, there has been no
crisis in the history of our national govern
ment, involving more directly Than the
present, the principles on which our repub-
lican institutions are based. The office OF
Chief Magistrate OF the United States is
armed with great power. That power is
under the control Of Il single will; aud that
will possesses the means Of Il prompt, elf
cient, and dangerous exercise This dan
ger exists, not alone in the Presidents Con-
slitutional power Of executing the laws,
nor in participation in their enactment ;
but il assumes its most fearful form in the
INFLUENCE lChich he is enabled to erertupo
ihe decisions Of The other branches Of The gOr-
etmment. The Independence of each
branch forms the great conservative prin-
ciple of the Constitution. Let either nc
Qtirc, by any means, Il control over the de-
| alterations and action of the others, and the
balance of the Constitution is destroyed.
Give that control to the Chief Executive
Magistrate, and the government is, in effect,
transformed from Republic to II Monarchy.
The recent course Of our national admin
stration has strongly developed this dam
ger. The power Of the president has been
| gradually Augmented, and the other branch
es of the government gradually drawn with
in the vortex OF his influence; SO that the
question now to he decided, in the sclec-
ton Of this officer, is not merely what
measures shall be adopted during his adj
ministration affecting the current interests
of the people but ,chether the Constitution
shall be preserved NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. each
! department of the government SHAH rsian
| its Just preyogatives, and move IN its Con-
siitutiunal sphere, or the whole he sub
jected TO the overshadowing Influence
of Il single man; whether, in short, the pure
republication OF the Constitution shall be
retained, in its full vigor, or whether it shall,
in the insidious progress Of usurped 20 Ner,
and perverted influence, be crushed and
cXlngulshed.
| These are questions which force them
selves upon the consideration Of the people
of The u States at the approaching election.
Subordinate TO them, nrc others, Which
concern the policy Of tho government, in
regard to the various Interests to lie imme-
dately affected by Legislative action.
Such are the questions regarding the col
| lection, safe keeping, and disbursement OF
the public revenue; the management and
disposition of the public lands; protection
TO the industry of the country by an adc-
Quatc tariff; tho facilitating OF intercourse
and commerce 10y reads and canals; The
preservation of n sound currency; nnd the
| free and unrestricted Interchange OF opln-
ions and feelings between the various see
lions of the country, which is necessary to
conlimllc lis "onc people, Fellow citizens
| We ask YOU to como to the deris,on oi the
greut question of the Presidency, in full
view Of all these high and commanding
considerations. IL is not question 10 he
decided by impulses; nor to he controlled
by the influence Of party names, aud The
power OF party prejudice. The INTEGRITY
OF THE CONsrITuTIoN is involved. That
| Constitution it is your business to unGer-
stand,-to watch, with slccpless jealousy,
every tendency to It's peWcrslon,- and 10
see that no man is permitted 10 WELD the
mighty power OF lis Chief Executive Mugs-
trate, who has not given proof HAT he loves
its sacred principles moro than ho loves
| himself
Who shall he selected to discharge this
! high trust? Where is the man who has
drunk 50 deeply into the spirit Of tho Fnll-
ers of the Republic, and so thoroughly cvln-
ced, by long course of service, his dlrln-
tercsrd devotion to the public good, as to
he worthy the confidence Of II nation of
| irecmcn To deserve lhat confidence,
| he must be something more than II cunning
politician. lie Must have hccn distinguish
ed for service of far higher grade than
can be found in the mere leader of "A party.
lie must he more familiar with the Con-
stitution llm with the construction and
movements OF Party Machinery; and have
learned TO value the Office of Chief Magls-
lrnte, more for its power of comforting ben
ehts upon the country, than OF mnlslerng
TO the ambition of Party Chief, nnd bind
ing to his interests, aud drawing in his train,
II host of merccnNry dependents
Before answering the question, who IS
the man, we will say to you, fellow cltl2ens'
who, in our opinion, is mol the nun, 10 pe