State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-16

So he did, when the party deserted democ-
racy. Had he yielded to party domination
no doubt he might have sat another term in
the presidential chair but he was the pres
ident of n nation, and when he would not
succumb TO party, he was of course laid
aside. Since that time, he has stood as it
were, alone in his greatness supporting
those measures which he thought best, II
do not speak of the infaIliblity of his
and opposing those he believed
to be wrong, with whatever party they
might originate. He has dared to be indie
pendent. The intriguers of party dare not
repose confidence in him. Yet how much
safer is it for the people to place such man
in power, than one who is ready to pledge
himself to any measure which reckless
party may propose.
Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, a
true son of Vermont, is similar man.
Fearless of consequences, he supports
those measures which he conceives most
conducive to the public good, regardless
whether his party go with him as a party
or not. Such n man only can adopt the
motto, 81 own no interest," no party but my
country"
J. p. Miller of Vermont, is kindred
spirit. He too, has been accused of desert
ing his party by those who forget that it is
possible for the party to change. Let us
look for moment,-as he is now candi-
date before the freemen of Washington
County f. Senatorial the course he has
pursued since lie returned from the mission
with which he was entrusted to Greece
No man of common sense and honesty
ever doubted his democracy. His prepos-
sessions were in favor of Gen. Jackson for
President. Consequently, we find him act
ing with that party. But when the repeat
ed abuses of the administration could not
fail 10 show all honest and intelligent men
that the President was the mere tool of
few political ntrguers--though the party
generally huzza TO every thing, without
stopping to inquire whether it is good,
bad, or indiflerenf-he did not fear to ex-
press his disapprobation of their conduct
and condemn in unmeasured terms, their
despotic assumptions of power: and when
he saw that there was no prospect of re-
form-but that every attempt of the Prcs-
dent to put things right, sunk him still low
er, he maniully declared that he could no
longer act with the party--and he left it
although he was at that time the most pop
ular man in its ranks, and by clinging to
the ship would have been more sure of
promotion than any other man perhaps,
who could be found in the fifth Congress
ional District. So high indeed, did he
stand, that the wire workers. were obliged
just previous to this, to withdraw the reg
ularly nominated candidate for Congress,
and place HIM in nomination 10 keep the par
" together; scattering votes by hundreds
having been given for him at the previous
ballot. He was the man, above all others,
in whose hands the interests of the people
could be safely entrusted--nonc doubted
in the least his ability or integri,y--but--
o, what change has come DER the spirit
of their drcamsr those same men are no,o
as unsparing of their abuse, as they then
were of their praise. And many of them
no doubt, honestly think, he has in reality
deserted his original principles. But let
us see who has in fact changed, he or they.
The Jackson party then maintained that
the people should rule; it (now the Van
Buren, party has since shoicn willingness
to place almost arbitrary power in the hands
OF one understanding non .committal on
all new questions that arose, until his tpiN
was known, when it fell down at once and
worshiped.' 1t then declared that the ruler
should be the servant of, and responsible to
the people, but since it has had the power,
it has made him the leader of, and account
table to the party. 1t then protested wish
to stand on its own merits, and desired no
cooperation but from those who were nc
tuated by political prnciples-now it is will
ling to bow down in servle alteration to
the bridegroom of the whore of Babylon"
to secure hundred thousand Catholic
votes. 1t then protested TO hold all men as
equal, and to spurn the man who would OPP
press his felow--nOo the party at the north,
makes its handsomest bow to the southern
despot, as he flourshes his bloody scourge
over the head of his 'countrymen in chains.'
Then it supported an unrestricted liberty
of the Press--nO,o it is willing to place the