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

deserter. We trust Mr. Barber will not
be too censorious upon the Convention for
following a precedent SO unquestionable.
The Wing influence manifested itself in
n striking manner on the question of Lieut..
Governor. No man, we should suppose,
would have been more acceptable to the
antimasons than Martin Flint.
Was it not understood that Gen. Flint
would not consent to be candidate? He
has repeatedly refused, to our knowledge,
when pressed to accept of such a nomina-
ton. But why should Mr. Barber be so
anxious to have General Flint nominated,
pledged as he is to support the nominations
of the majority?
Mr. Knapp, in support of the nomination
of Gen. Harrison, produced and read n
letter from Hon. William Sade, which he
said was intended to be laid before the
Convention. The letter was evidently de.
signed to point out the course for the Con-
vcntion TO pursue.
Mr. Knapp made no such remark as is
here imputed to him. Mr. Slade expressed
no wish to have his letter read in the con-
vcntiCn or elsewhere. As it contained
relutation of slanderous and false report
against Gen. Iarrison's character, we took
leave to read an extract, embracing that
reiutation. lift was proper for Mr. Barber
to read letters from citizens of Pennsy Iva
ME No fol 10 in
us to read letter from u distinguished
antimason of our own State-from man,
too, whose opinions are held in the highest
estimation We repeat, the letter was not
read by request of the writer, but of our
own free will and pleasure.
The Convention learned moreover, tbro'
MIR Knapp, that all the Vermont delegation
iii Congress had had a meeting and had
concluded that it was best for that Conven-
ton to nominate Harrison. These things
show what sort of influence was brought
to bear upon the Convention.
How, when and where did the Conven-
ton learn this from Mr. Knapp? We said
nothing, we knew nothing of any meeting
of the kind. Our friend makes tragical
work at reporting.
Some opinion may be formed of the in
fluence which was operating upon the
Convention, when it is understood that Mr.
Knapp had declared that he could not
support Gen Harrison, both in his paper
and in public conversations, within very
short period before the assembling of the
Convention.
These charges were brought against us
in the Convention. We promptly replied
10 them on the spot, to the satisfaction as
we thought, of the gentleman who now
reterates them, still more publicly. We
here repeat, that we did oppose the nomi-
nation of Gen. Harrison, at meeting held
at the Court House in this town during the
session of the Constitutional Convention.
That meeting was thinly attended, and no
public notice had been given Of the intend
ed agitation of the Presidential question.
We opposed the nomination mainly on the
ground that any nomination, made under
the circumstances of that meeting, could
not be regarded as u fair and full expression
of the party. We then proposed State
Convention for the purpose, among other
things, of getting fair and full expression
from the People on the question of the
Presidency. This proposition was then
resisted by Mr. Barber and after the State
Committee had resolved to call conyen-
ton, they were strongly importuned by Mr.
Barber to desist from their purpose. The
reason of this importantly is now too OBJ
vious to be made a matter of conjecture
As to our having said, on any occasion, that
we could not support Gen. Harrison, that
is another mistake of the reporter.
The wing convention, after having or
gained, Immediately adjourned to attend
upon the deliberations of the antimasonic
The Hobbies and gallery were
crowded with them, and many hestated
not TO take seats on the floor of the hall
among the antmasons.
As to when the Wing convention met,
or when they adjourned, we took no notice
Nor did we observe one of their number
seat with the members of our
At one time, when there was
a crowd in the lobby, they were invited by
Mr. PettiJone, to take seats in the rear of
the Speakers Chair. Numbers availed
of the liberty thus offered them,
but without at all attempting, so far us we
observed, TO intermeddle with our doings
The Free Press singles out fre indiyid-
uals, out of l65, who are represented as
not properly belonging TO the Antimasonic