Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-11-10
TO THE PEOPLE.

FELLOW CITIZENS 1T is with unalloy.
ed satisfaction foI the past. and hope for the
future, that we review the administration oil
the government OF this State We believe
that during the period OF near sixty years
in which II has hourished, no essential vari.
alton in its administration can be shewn. Ell
Their from the letter or spirit Of The cons,tu-
ton, 10 strict conformity TO the "Declara-
ton OF the rights Of the inhabitants of the
State Of Vermont there has at all times
been frequent recurrence TO fundamental
principles, and a firm adherence to Justice,
moderation, temperance. industry and frugal.
liiy"; and tina, by strict compliance with
these cardinal virtues, "ihe blessings of lib
erty have been preserved. and the govern
menl kept free" Nowhere are the consttu.
ton and laws held more supreme. Nowhere
is there more ready obedience paid 10 their
requirements by the people themselves, as
well as by those, whom, at short intervals,
they intrust with the management of their
public affairs. Hence il is tina, our public
peace is seldom or never disturbed-lhat a
single constable ordinarily requires no as
sistance 10 execute any process upon the
boldesl or most popular offender--and that
capital punishments, and even high crimes,
are things OF rare occurrence. Did the DIES.
TIMES Of this State depend upon her own in
slitutions and people only, it is believed that
none could be more happy. There are no
peopleassociate under one government who,
Iin proportion to their numbers. have greater
moral and physical abilities 10 sustain their
independence and protect their freedom both
at home and abroad than those of Vermont,
possessing as they do within their own lin.
lis all the elements Of wealth, power and
prosperity. No usurper here, clothed with
an ephemeral popularity, would ever dare
take the responsibility" TO administer the
constitution and laws as be should choose 10
understand them, without being held also
10 that more stern, more healthy. and more
fearful responsibility Of understanding them
arighl--as rational, sober men understand
them-and according to the established rules
of sound Interpretation. If he should
.wllfnlly understand them wrong, and act in
-obedience tothat will, no pretended ignorance
OF their true provisions would avail him for
an excuse; but the consequences Of his i'll.
advised acts, however tremendous they might
be. would forthwith be visited upon him, ac.
cording 10 his deserts.
But we have voluntarily associated our
selves with the confederated States Of this
Union. With them we have adopted the
Constitution of the United States as our SUI
preme law. Thegovernment established by
that instrument is our government, and with
its good or bad administration we are affect
ed A vast federal republic. embracing so
Large a territory as that comprised within
the limits OF the confederated States, control
ling and regulating to a definite extent the
action of the respective governments therein.
was an experiment in political science. But
it was the happy destiny Of the federal con
stitution that the first direction Of It's admin
istraiion was committed TO the wisdom. the
prudence. and the energy Of George Wash
ington. The rule that regulated that states
man ip the execution of the great and ample
power with which the constitution armed The