State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-12

COMMU NICATION.
BosToN, March 81, 1886.
TO The Editor ofhe VI. State Journal
SIR: Tho undersigned, Secretaries Of
the Mass. Antimasonic State Convention of
the 29th of January, which Convention
nominated Martin Van Buren, for the Pres
idcncy, affirm that in taking the question on
the passage of the resolutions, which incu-
ded the resolution nominating Mr. Van Blu
rem, the Hon. Nathan G. Brownell, Presi-
dent of the Convention, did put the negative
vote that upon his calling for the negative
vote, but one hand, THAT of Mr. Hardy of
MiddleseX, as we believe) was held mp, and
that the President, not observing the hand
held Tp said, "It appears to be an unani.
nous vote" We also affirm, that when
Mr. Ebenezer Clough opposed the rcsolu-
tious land he was The only one in very
large meeting who spoke against them)
MIR Thomas of Plymouth, member of the
convention, desired that every one might he
heard who had anything to say against the
resolves. You arc requested to publish
this in your paper, TO counteract incorrect
statements which have been therein made
on this subject.
BENIN +. IIALLETT, } Secreia-
JOHN b. TURNER, ries, &c.
Ebenezcr Clough, speaking Of this same
meeting, which the secretaries style an
.4ntimasonic State ConUemion," says ex-
pressly, "there Were more JdckSonitcS than
Fan Buen .AntimdSOnS present." He also
declares that the contrary vote was not
taken. Nahum Hardy, Esq another mem
Der of the meeting and for several years a
member of the State Committee, says "In
! the first place there was no notice of the
meeting given in the country papers at all,
and give it as my firm conviction that
| there were not more than 30 antmasons
who supported the nomination, except the
members of the Senate and those who re-
side in the city of Boston. The antima-
sonic members of the House were many of
them absent, knowing that the business Of
/ the convention was all cut and dricd-and
for this very reason many ontimasons on
whom | called said they could do no good,
for it would be mainly filled with jackson
mcn--and so il proUed, for not a doubt rests
on my mind that Two-THIRDs Of all present
icere members Of the administration party,
either of the Senate, House, CuStom- House,
or city Of Boston," Speaking Of the con-
trary vote, the same gentleman says, "The
call was made loudly for the contrary min
ded, and doubted by those who did not APP
prove the nomination, and no notice iUaS
taken Of IT," If, therefore, the contrary
vote was called, it was probably done in an
indstnct manner, or in the midst Of con-
fusion so us not to be generally noticed.
1t is to be regretted that the Secretaries
have not enlightened us on the most mate
rial point, namely, the political character of
the members. With the lights now before
us, we have only TO say, it would be an out
rage upon common sense to pretend that
the Boston nomination of the Doth Jan. was
anything better than a bold and crafty at
tempt to impose upon the Antimasons of
New England--especially the Antimasons
of Vermont. We had the means of max
ing a seasonable exposure of the farce at
our Convention, and it was eflectually done.
For this we have been unjustly assailed
the missiles have been hurled at lis from all
points of the compass, but they have fallen
harmless at our feet.
The annexed letter from Mr. lIalett, APP
pended to the foregoing communication, is
published by his request. We have replied
by way of notes.
Mr. KNAPP:
The above is given in an official form, to
answer the inquiry in your paper of March
%, in which you say, "We renew our call
upon the Editor of the Advocate for state
ment of the facts. Has Ebenezer Clough
told the truth, or has he not 2" In his as
scrtion that the negative vote was not put,
he has not told the truth. (G) The abusive
speech of that old man, which was either
prepared or revised by some malignant
Wing, 10 vent their spite against the Editor
of the Advocate and the State Committee,
and to which you call the attention of your
readers, contains scarcely single fact, but
it is not worth my while TO examine il. AT
the meeting where it was read, requested
permission Of the chairman, Gen. Longley,
10 point out the faIschoods stated by MIR
Clough, which ! was prepared to do. This
was denied, and ] never deemed it worthy
of notice in any other form. (b) Ebenezer
Clough is Il harmless old man, who was
turned out of the Custom House by Jack
son. lie came into the Antinasonic ranks
early, and for two or three years was en-
ployed in the Office OF the Advocate to fold