State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-08
TIE CONVENTION.

We gave our readers last week what was
believed TO be a fair and impartial account
of the doings of the late State Convention.
So far as we have been enabled to learn,
the nominations are hailed with appreciation
by the great mass of the antmasonic party,
who did not participate in the proceedings.
Perfect unanimity was not expected. Nor
was it expected that those, who had long
since committed themselves in favor of
Van Burenisn, and had positively refused,
before the meeting of the Convention, to
acquiesce in any other nomination, if made,
would be found with us, sustaining the
regular nominations and giving currency
to the decisions and wishes of the majority.
Accordingly we have not been disappointed
on learning that an inconsiderable number
Of the members of the antimasonic conven-
ton, after the nominations were made, re-
tred to an upper room at Cottrll's Hotel
and nominated not only Mr. Van Buren,, but
distinct tickets for State Officers and Elec-
tors, with the exception of Mr. Clarke for
Treasurer, and Mr Adds for an Eector.
This irregular and unprecedented move
ment would probably have received no no.
tice from us, but Cor the circumstance that
the principal actor in the affair has thought
proper to represent the proceedings of the
Antimasonic Convention in such light as
to afford some show classification for pre-
senting string of minority nominations
for the support of the Antimnsons of Yer
mont.
Mr. Barber, in the last Free Press, after
hosting the Van Buren, flag at the head of
that journal, proceeds to give what purports
to be u history Of the proceedings of the
t,co conventions, and of the facts and cir
cumstances attending their deliberations,
winding up with an elaboration to the Anti.
masons of Vermont to " cut loose from the
Harrison nominations" or in other words
to abandon the nominations deliberately
made by an Antimasonic State Convention,
and flank off in the train of 81 dissenting
members
MIR BARRIERS apology for presenting an
opposition ticket is as follows:
Our readers will perceive by the tickets
which we publish to-day, that the members
of the late Antimasonic Convention were
divided III opinion us to the course which
should be adopted. The majority of that
convention saw fit to nominate the ticket
headed by VIM. II. Harrison, for President,
,phich ticket icaS adopted throughout by the
Whig Convention. The minority of the
Antlmasonic Convention, considering that
the nomination of Gen. Harrison by the
majority, was virtual disbanding Of the
party, or in other words, transforming it
from an Antmasonc into Wing party.
Withdrew and nominated separate ticket.
What pity that the Convention did not
follow Mr. Barbcr's advice and nominate
that iIlustrious antilnason, Mr. Van Buren,
The identity of the Antimasonic party
would thus have been nicely preserved, and
our good friends saved the trouble of "dis-
banding" you see. But how is it, that the
nomination of General Harrison by vote
OF lO4 TO 40, was "a transforming of the
Antimasonic into Wing party? What
are the positions taken by Gen, Harrison in
regard TO the masonic institution
|. That he regards the existence of free
masonry as san euii, both MORAL and po-
:. That, ain the exercise of the eleetise
Franchise, the people possess the means of
correcting all the evils which may arise in
our Government; and that II ought TO be
used for that purpose"
.. That the question with regard to the