The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-08-22

cipes of democracy and of the constitution, whici
declare all power TO DO vested in the hands OF the
people, have been trodden down and tfampled up
on by a series of Executive usurpaons, until the
country is brought the very verge OF desPousm
and the rights of the people exist only in name-l
remains TO inquire whether any evidence exists
that tho old democratic party and the Van Buren,
party arc the same, from the position winch the
surviving democrats of 1SOS14 sustain to the pre-
sent political parties l have before alluded to the
fact that during the first term of Mr.. Monroes adj
mnstration the party lines of democracy and fed
eralism were broken. Mr.. Monroe was re- elected
for second term without opposition, both parties
harmonizing in his election and in his adminstra-
ton In anticipation of The election ofhs successor
five prominent candidates were, by different states,
proposed for the consideration of the American pub
lie Mcssrs. Adams, Crawford, Jackson, Clay and
Calhoun. Messrs. Adams, jackson, and Crawford
were subsequently brought consttutonally before
Congress, there being no choice by the people-and
Mr.. Adams proved there successful.
AT an early stage of this canvass, and before the
warmth of political feeling had become excited,
there appeared an original article in the New Hamp-
shire Patriot (the democracy of which had not then
been called in question: speaking in the highest
presenting an epitome of their lives and services,
their talents and political and moral worth.
All the candidates had been identified with the
democratic party, and all were endorsed by the
Patriot editor-then, ISAAC HrLL,-as men sound
in the faith, and either of them worthy of the
fdence of the people.
Subsequently the Patriot came out for Mr.. Craw-
ford, and become UNNECESSARILY in its oppo-
espoused the cause of Mr.. Adams. Gen. Jackson
was supported in Pennsy lvania and some of Ethe
new States, but the democracy of New England
was divided between Messrs. Adams and Crawford.
In New England, Jackson found no supporters, or
very few, until after the election of Mr.. Adams.
From that time party lines rapidly drawn, in
preparation for the ensuing election; and the oppo-
sers of Mr.. Adams, whether democrats or federal
sts rallied under the military chieftain, wearing the
political cognomen of Jacksonians. Mr.. Adams
had never possessed the confidence of the federal
lists in Massac huse,s.---H Hence at this time we find
tho Hon. Timothy Pickering, and several of the
most distinguished ederasts of that state espousing
the cause of Jackson Other prominent federalists
in different parts of the United States attached them
selves to the of the Hero, as, Roger b. fancy,
the present Chief Justice OF the u S. Court, Louis
retaries, and Others too mention, while
from the ranks of both the former parties, were
gathered in his train the aspirans for political pro-
motion, through whose influence the friends of
Jackson were made strong, by the accession of all
who would I" join tho party whatever their polit-
cal views might be. From this era may BIO dated
the age of sudden political conversions.
At one time you might see among the opposers
of 70 lacks
views, prnting loudly against the dangers of elevat-
ing military chieitain to the Presidency-and tie
next day, through the magic influence of the caucus,
he would come out Jacksonan "dyed in the
wool, joining in the loudest huzzas for the Hero
"A gentleman was enqured of, whether Major b.
was Jacksonian; al do not know" replied he.
" but l presume he is, for 1 have observed that
wherever a man is found who was formerly yiolent
tederahSt or ciolent democrat, he is sure to be
Jacksonian now"
1t is not my intention, Mr.. Editor to animadvert
upon the comparative worth of the materials which
went to make up the new political parties Men of
worth and purity of intention were found in both
But it is capable of demonstration thar unworthy
motives were extensively held out as inducements
for ambitious men to join the jackson party-mo-
tiyes which have met the apprehension of hon
est men, but which nevertheless succeeded in se
curing majority at the close of Mr. Adams first
term. Said Col Johnson, the present Vice Presi-
dent, in relation to Mr.. Adams, +" This administra-
ton mast be put do,on, though pure as the angels in
heaoen' 1t was put down, and then succeeded the
reign of prescription and misruIe.
But to the point in view. The Jackson party.
now the Van Buren, party, has at no time embraced
majority of the old democratic party while on the
other hand it has numbered and does number in its
ranks, very many of the most prominent men of the
old federal party. In 1914, Martin Chttenden was
tho federal Governor of the State of Vermont hay
ing succeeded Jonas Galusha, the democratic Gov
ernor Since the elevation of Gen. jackson, we
find the name of Martin Chittenden with the jack
son Van Buren, party, while Jonas Galusha is n
consistent wing. Among the federasts who, in
this State, fgared prominently during the last war
in opposition to the plans of Government, we find
the following gentlemen now identified with the Van
Buren, party Martin Chittenden, Stephen Haight,
A W. Burnam, Thomas Emerson, N b. Haswell