State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-26
70 THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL.

70 THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL.
Should it be asked, 'why publicly mike
confessions, certainly somewhat humilia
ting, in relation to the antmasonic party "
My answer would he, first, that as these
remarks are designed for the antimasons
generally, it is difficult to communicate
with them in any other way. Secondly,
that the frank confession and selcreproba-
ton of faults which the world cannot fail
TO notice, can never injure any cause
And lastly, would ask, as open as antima-
sorry has laid itself to criticism, what party
in the United States dare cast the first
stone? Have not the Wings in their aux
iety to keep their protecting egis over their
protege, the masonic institution, lost sight
of their principles and forgot their country?
And, especially, in Vermont, have they not
descended TO the degrading occupation of
throwing somersets? in which we will
freely confess, as pcradventure it may
somc what mitigate their extreme NORTH
cation, they have surpassed the most prac-
ticed tumblers. In regard 10 the Jackson
party, alias, the Van Buren, party, surely
they have no right to cast a stone at the
antimasons; though in their case, it may
not be quite so clear, for it must be admitted
that they are nearly inyulnerable OH one
side, on which the antimasons are open to
attack. For they are entitled to the credit
ofacting with uncommon unity for so n,l-
merous party since they have fairly be-
come organized and drilled under the inIi.
vidual from whom they derive their name,
which is the more surprising as their course
has qeen unusually sinuous and intricate.
But then it must be considered, that having
the extraordinary advantage of an infallible
leader they have been exempt from one of
the most fruitful sources of party disunion;
TO wit: the necessity of discussing and set
ting among themselves, the articles of their
political faith, having nothing more to do,
when their leader and oracle has from time
TO time divulged certain principles or axions
for the guidance of the party, than to throw
up their caps and cry amen. And though
their politics have become somewhat COM
pick, and apparently, contradictory, yet
being doled out to them little at a time,
at considerable intervals, they have been
enabled TO get it by heart, so that many
can repeat il from beginning to end without
Il mistake. And further, lest they should
cXult too much i'll consequence of these
tiattering admissions in their favor, let us
recall to their recollection the fact that this
perfect agreement and unity as to their po-
litcal creed, was not so at the beginning.
Though | am aware that they can urge in
their defence, the circumstance that their
great oracle had not then delivered himself,
which for time subjected 'lhe party to
great embarrassment. Being left to grope
its way without guide it is not strange that
n wide difference of opinion prevailed in
relation to many important questions, as
the tariff, the Bank. etc. 1t is however adj
mitted that this disagreement was not OF
long continuance, for us their oracle in the
course of his revelations touched upon
these questions one after another, all disa-
,greement ceased from that moment; and
men who one day >tvere vehemently urging
one set of opinions, were heard the next
day proclairning adverse sentiments with
as much earnestness and assurance as tho
they had never expressed any other.
L, may be quered by some whether the
tone of this communication is dictated by
sound policy, whether those who, having
once been in full fellowship wi h antima-
sorry, and are now barely hanging on with
a finger, or at most, one hand, ought not
to be approached with more soothing Ian
guage, with the hope ofwinRing them back
TO the cause in which they were lately CO.
laborers Win them back indeed Why,
worthy reader, the utter abandonment of
the cause is already decreed in their hearts
and they are but hanging on awhile for the
nsidiuous purpose Of more effectuaIly in