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

FoR THE CALIFORNIAN.
MIR. CHADWICK have noticed that unwearied
pains are taken by the Van Buren, party in this state
to make appear that they the democratic party
The real simon pure of the democracy of the coun-
try; and that the wings nothing more nor less
than the old federal party. Now sir, when 1t is
rec objected that the old party lines OF democracy
and federalism oblterateG during the first term
| of Mr.. Monroes administration; and that when the
party lines again drawn, upon the election OF
Mr.. Adams, those who had formerly fought in the
ranks of the democratic party were found almost
equally divided among the new parties, as were also
the federasts; and when it is further recollected
that three quarters of the present generation OF poll
cians have come on to the stage since the dissolu-
ton of the old federal and democratic Parties,-lt
is plain that no evidence exists that the Van Buren,
party is the democratic party, unless it can be made
to appear that the measures of the administration
and the principles of its supporters such as to
entite it to the appellation.
lately inquired of an intelligent gentleman, who
in Tho last prominent politician Of the
democratic party, what were then considered the
distinctive features of democracy and tedeial
He replied in short, that federalism was, he I'M
|
of the few, regardless ofthe will ofthe many-while
democracy was the retaining the power in the
hands Of the many. Now sir, assuming that this
definition is correct, as regards the term democracy,
1 propose to bring to this ties. the measures of the
past and present administration, in order to if
the high sounding claims of theVan Buren press es
to the democracy of tho country can be sustained.
| Among tho first acts of Gen. Jackson admins
tration almost indiscrmnate removal from
office ef:eyery incumbent who had not aided in his
election among whom several foreign minis
| ters-oficers who had been nominated by his pre-
decessors, and their nomination confirmed by the
Senate, agreeable to the constitution. These for no
alledged offence, recalled, and their places
filled with his favorites, without waiting for the
action ofshe Senate, as the constitution eontem-
plates and in every such instance involving the
country in the expense of outfit of $4,000.
No instance had previously existed of similar
stretch of power. No previous Executive would
have ventured to recall Plenpotentiary during the
recess of the Senate, except for misdemeanor. 1t
was an assumption of power inconsistent with
republican government. If it was not federalism,
it certainly was not democracy.
Passing over the other acts of his first year, we
find him assuming the right to regulate, according
to his own noons The currency Of the c0atntry coll
trary to the will of the people expressed by their
representatives in Congress. Atone time vetoing
a bill which had passed both houses by large ma
jorities: at another, taking the responsibility of re-
moving the public deposites from the place appointed
by lac, without the shadow of constitutional author
ity, and this, after Congress had by decided vote
refused to legislate upon the subject Was this de-
mar mill Gil
many acts of the Executive, showing the D." concen.
tration power in the hands of the few, regardless
of the will, and the rights Of the many" need
only to mention the Treasury Ordcr executed at
the command of the President, after Congress had
refused to adopt the measure. And if any thing
were wanting, TO show his utter contempt for the
will of the people expressed by their represen-
taives, it is found in the fact that, when Congress
at its subsequent session, passed. byarge majorites
bill for repeating the Treasury Order it was Pc OK
ErED by the President till after the adjournment Of
Congress-.
1t might have been expected tlrat at this uncture
MIR. Van Buren, would have retrieved the lost right
of the people, and yielded to the solicitation OF
majority of the Senate, and recalled the obnoxou
order: but no the boasted ,".democratic Presi
. dent refuses compliance, against the advice of
majority of his cabinet His inaugural address nc
. only breathes the warmest devotion to the meas
ures of his " iustrious predecessor" but he zoe
even beyond him, and pledges himself, in certain
contingency, to resist the aoM Of tie people, II
iorewarns them that "no bill to abolish slavery !;
the District of Columbia, can ever receive his Con
stitutional sanction No matter sir, what shall b.
the will of the people. The non.slave.boldin,
states composing three-iifths of the population
the Union, may unitcdly declare for the measure
but the President is pledged to resist it. Such de-
moeracy may be adapted to the latitude of South
carolina, built is not the democracy of Vermont
| More next week. JEFEEpSnW
Inc Hon Judge Harper of the U. States Distrc,
Court, Maryland, died at his residence in that State
on Thursday. '''u' ''''e'