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

cordant with republican principles.
On the contrary, 1t Is pretended, tina
they had become enamored with these des
pOlic measures, and SO disguised with the
freedom they did enjoy, that they were more
than willing TO commit their deslinies &c
The uncontrolled will Of your ExceIlency
Let me assure you, sir, that these assertions
will gain no credit with the present gener.
alton, or with posterity. They will demand
the facts, which had induced a people, by
no means deficient in intelligence, so soon
TO abandon the principles for Which they
had SO gaantly fought, and tameiy surren-
der that liberty, which had been obtained
at the expense of SO much blood. And what
facts can be produced? 1t can not be said
that life and property were not as well pro-
lected under The republican government, as
they ever have been nor that there exist
ed any opposition to the Constitution and
laws, too strong for the ordinary powers oil
The government TO put down.
If the Instruction Of Gen. PACE, in Ven
ezuela, is adduced, would ask, by what
means was lie reduced to obedience? You
Excelency, the legitimate head of the re-
public, appeared, and, in moment, all OPP
position ceased, and Venezuela was restor-
ed TO the republic. But, it is said, that this
was effected by your personal influence, OF
the dread Of your military talent, and that
to keep Gen. Paez & other ambitious chiefs
from Remembering the republic, ii was ne
cessary to invest your Excellency with the
extraordinary powers you possess. There
would be some reason in this, if you had re-
fused 10 act without these powers; or lav-
n nc II bn1 blS
10 accomplish any thing without them. But
you succeeded, completely, and there can
be no possible reason assigned, why you
would not have succeeded, with the same
means, against any future attempt of Gen.
Paez, or any other General.
There appears, however, to be one sent
iment, in which all parties unite that is,
that, as matters now stand, you alone can
save the country from ruin, at least, from
much calamity. They differ, however, very
widely, as TO the measures TO be taken 10
put your eXccllency in the way TO render
this important service. The lesser s. more
interested party, is for placing the Govern
ment in your hands for life; either with
your present title, or with one which, it
must be confessed better accords with the
nature of the powers TO be exercised. II
they adopt the less offensive title, and if
they weave into their system some apparent
check TO your will, it is only for the purp-
ose of masking, in some degree, their rea
object; which is nothing short Of the es-
Enlistment Of despolism. The plea OF
necessity, that eternal argument of all con-
spirators, ancient or modern, against the
rights Of mankind, will be resOrted TO, to in
duce you to accede TO their measures and
the unsettled state OF the country, which has
been designedly produced by them, will be
adduced as evidence OF that necessity.
There is but one way for your EXceen-
cy to escape from the snares which have
been so artlully laid TO entrap yon, and that
is, 10 stop short in the course which, unloT-
tunately, has been already commenced. Ev-
cry step you advance, under the influence o.
such councils, will make retreat more diff
cult, until il will become impractiCable e.
| You will be told that the intention is only
to vest you with authority TO correct VIVA
is wrong in the Administration, and TO pu
down the factions, &, that, when the coun
try once enjoys tranquility, the government
may be restored TO the people. Delusiv,
will he the hopes Of those who rely upol
this declaration. The promised hour o
tranquility will never arrive. II events
tended 10 produce il, they would be count
eracted by the Government itself 1t wa
a strong remark IF former President o
the U. States, that, "soOner will the love
be contenled with the first smiles OF his mis-
tress, than a government cease TO endeavo
to preserve and extend its powers" VIII
whatever reluctance your EXcclency ma,
commence the career-with whatever dis
position to abandon it, when the objects 70
which il was commenced have been obtain
ed-when once fairly entered, you will b.
borne along by the irresistible force ofpride
habit Of command, and need, for sell.pres
ervation-and it will he impossible 10 re
cede.
But, ii is said, that ii is Tor the benefit o
the people that the proposed change is 4
lie made and that by your talents and in
iluence, alone, unaided, by unlimited pow
err, the ambitious chiefs in the different de
partments are to be restrained, and the in
tegrity Of the republic preserved. | hav
said, and most sincerely believe, that, lror
, the state into which the country has bee
brought, that you alone can preserve il lror
, the horrors Of anarchy. But cannot con
! ceiVe that any extraordinary powers ar
! necessary. The authority TO see that tn
laws are execuIed-to call out the strcngt
of the country to enforce their execution,
5 all that is required, and is what is possess
5 ed by the Chief Magistrate Of the Unite
: Slrtes, and Of every Other Republic and
5 what was cOniidcd 10 the Executive, b
? the Constitution of Cucula. Would you
talents or your energies be impaired in tn
= council, or the field, or your influence les
t sened, when acting as head OF Republic
, propose to examine, very briefly, III
+ results which are likely to flow from the pre-
] posed change of government; lst, in rela
I ton TO the country; and, Cd, to yoursel
r personally. Is the tranquility Of the cour
I try to be secured by III Is it possible +,
= your Exceency 10 believe, that when ii
I mask has been thrown oil, and the peop