State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-10-25
TIE TlMtis.

considered a candidate for the Presidency,
ns he predicted the four succeeding years
would be times of great commo,on. We
do not surpose there was much danger f
his election, but his predictions were not
entirely visionary. Dow possessed II dis
corning mind, md with all his ccccutricity,
I'VE should have preferred him 20 Van BIT
ron; for we believe he was al honest Inan.
But he has gone TO his long home, and
sleeps with the "mighty dead willie We
live to witness the fllfmcni Of his proph-
tcy.
Our country has become the scene Of ain
nrchy in its most fearful forms. Courts of
Justice have been superseded by the wild
fury of the mob, and the moral ccnsurc Of
tho public, by brute force. Society seems
to be dissolving itself again into It's original
elements. Regardless of all established
law, men seem inclined to rule, each for
himself and the stronger 'ostriunph over
the weaker party, and punish on mere sns-
picion as their passions dictate.
All this might he looked upon by the
friends of humanity without serious alarm
1t might be borne even, if men were gov
erned by a true regard Of right. But un-
fortunately, while those who are honest
wish for no other aid in carrying out their
measures, than what the law affords them,
they who ar, determined to abrogate all
law. and mike their own wills the standard
ofiusticc, are guided only by ungoyernable
passion and self interest
Our laws give as good protection per-
hGps, 10 our citizens in all honorable pur-
suits, as any human code can 10; but tue
laws are not intended to aid the highway
robber or tho man steulcr; therefore, when
they moct with opposition, they can only
appeal TO the pistol the haltar or the scourgc,
for defence.
a calm observer can see that il would
not he safe Tor even virtuous men, 10 up
hold righteous cause, contrary 10 law.
The lazy cannot be violated to any great
degree with impunity, bat by the mob.
Let then, few honest men excite the null
t;udc to destroy some property, or remove
some nuisance, which is really an evil in
society, but which the law, through some
detection cannCt reach. The work is done,
and justice triumphs contrary TO law. The
precedent is now established. The next
day perhaps, tie current turns. a few I'M
principled men take unbrage at something
which these well meaning men have said
or done, and they who yesterday had the
mob at their command in the cause of viz
tue, to day see their own buildings RACED TO
the ground, and the ashes OF their furniture
scattered to the winds, by the very men
who before moved at their bidding. Would
they not have done better, u have horne
the real evil till tho law coud be brought
TO bear ngainst il? They now sec how
true nrc the words Of tie poet
" Most dangerous is that temptation,
Which leads US on 20 sin in loving virtue"
Few men arc SO shortsghtel as not to
discover these truths without practical il
lustration. And in general, when we see
man striving to accomplish any object by
unlawful means, he may be set down MS a
scoundrei.
QUE only hope is in tho belief that there
is yet rcdecnl!ns spirit in community.
AS there is poin: beyond which man cau-
not be driven through fear, 50 men, not en-
tirely abandoned to virtue, cannot be led
forever by the sophstry of designing hypo-
critics, or aspiring demngogucs. The polt-
zeal and moral situation of our land has
necn for four years past, making fearful
strides towards infdelity and despoiism
Dnt the people must soon open their eyes
With all the opiates which are administer
ed, The load will soou press so heavily up
on them, that they will feel il; and who
doubts that they will then quickly throw
off the yoke. They will soon sec that nc
man is safe, while in any cause tho will Of
the mob takes the place of the law. They
are already beginning to discover these
truths. And most sincerely do we hope
that the people will take the government
into their own hands, while they can do i
without bloodshed and civil war.
o. The editor of The Vermont Chroni-
Gle has at length published his slavery creed
He Says