State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-01
ADDRESS.
To THE FREEMEN OF THE STATE OF YER
MONT.

MONT:
FELLOW CITIZENS: The occurrence of
any great crisis in the affairs of conInu-
nifty jusiifes 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
tional affairs IS the purpose which has
brought together the Convention that now
addresses you,
One of the highest duties devolving on
you rs freemen IL about to be performed.
AS citizens of II great Republic, you are 10
exercise The high prerogative of giving your
voice ih the selection of its Chief EXecu-
tive Magistrate and we are now assembled
to deliberate upon the questions involved
in this clection-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 u single will; and that
will possesses the means of prompt eff
cient, aud dangerous exercise. This dan
ger exists, not alone in the Presidents Con-
stitutlonal power Of executing the laws,
nor in his participation in their enactment
but it assumes its most fearful form in the
INFLUENCE which he is enabled 10 erert upon
the decisions ofthe other branches Of the gor-
ernmemt The independence of each
branch, forms the great conservative prin-
ciple of the Constitution. Let either ac-
qurc, by any means, 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 Il Republic to a Monarchy.
The recent course of our national admin
stration has strongly developed this dan
~. The power Of the president has been
g. l., lily augmented, and the other branch
graz, .., Vernment gradually drawn with
Is ol lnc g. a. his influence; so that the
in the vortex =. dec;ded j., Tho soIoc
IueS'lo' ~ ~" % n :, not merely whu;
measures shall be adopted Il, ', 'an ~,
affecting the current ''e' ~:
of the people but ichether The ConSii,r~ ''''
shalt be preserved Neutrality-suspicious. each 4,
department of the government SHAH retain |
its Just prerogatives, and move i'll its Con-
stittiona sphere, or the whole he sub |
jected to the overshudowng influence |
of n single man; whether, in short, the pure !
of the Constitution shall be
retained in its full vigor, or whether it shall,
in the insidious progress of usurped pc "er, !
and perverted influence, be crushed and |
eXinguished.
These are Questions which force them =,
81
of the L. States at the approaching election.
concern the policy of the government, in |
regard to the various interests to he imme-
dately affected by Legislative action.
lection, safe keeping, aud disbursement of
the public revenue; the management and
of the public lands; protection
to the industry of the country by an ade-
quate tariff; The facilitating of intercourse
and commerce by roads and canals; The !
of a sound currency; and the |
free md unrestricted interc bange of opin-
ions and feelings between the various sec
tons of the country, which is necessary to
continue lis Zone people" Fellow citizens
We ask you to come to the decision of the
great question of the Presidency, in full |
view OF all these high and commanding
considerations. 1t is not question TO be |
decided Ivy impulses; nor to be controlled
by the influence of party names, and the
power of party prejudice. The INTEGRITY
OF THE CONSTITUTION is involved. That
Constitution it is your business to under
stand, to watch, with sleepless jealousy,
every tendency TO its perversion, and 10
see that no IMAM is permitted TO WELD the
mighty power Of its Chief Executive Magis-
tratc, who has not given proof that he loves
its sacred principles more than he loves
himself.
WHO shall he selected TO discharge this
high trust? Where is the man who has
drunk so deeply into the spirit of the Faith
ers of The Republic, and so thoroughly evin-
ced, by long course Of service his disin-
teresIed devotion 10 the public good, as 10
he worthy the confidence of nation of
lrecmon? To deserve TINT confidence,
he must be something more than n cunning
politician. He must have been distinguish
ed for service of far higher grade than
ran be found in the mere loader of party.
lie must be more familiar with the Con-
stiuItion than with the construction and
of Party Machinery; and have
learned 10 value the office of Chief Magis-
rate, more for It's power of comforting ben ,
Gifts upon the country, than of miniStering ,
10 the ambition Of a Party Chief, and bind
ing 10 his interests, and drawing in his train, ,
a host of mcrcenary dependents
Before answering tho question, who Is
HE man, we viii say TO you, fellow citizens,
who, IN our opinion, IL not tho man, to be I