Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-07-24
A ID ID II IL SIS
FELLOW CITIZENS

DDREsS.
FELLOW CITIZENS;
There are some remarkable condolences
and points of resemblance, in the condition
and prospects Of our country, as they were on
the 4th oil July, 177G, compared with those
now before us this 4th of July, 1887.
After the lapse of sixty-one years, it has be-
come necessary TO repeat the lesson, terrible
TO tyrants, that that day rung in the ears of
despotism. The voice which then struck with
terror and dismay corrupt and vcnal minis
try, was the voice Of the oppressed, laundering
back upon the oppressor the dread array of his
lawless, tyrannical and oppressive acts. The
oppressor Of that day was the constitutional
ruler of the oppressed. The power then in his
hands he held only in trust for the benefit Of
those he dared to scourge. The despolism he
was then meditating was insdiousy pretend
ed 10 be covered under the forms OF the Con-
stitution; and he insolently and absurdy in
voked our patriotism and oui loyalty, to bear,
in patience, the ministerial infections with
which lie visited us,-to demean ourselves re-
specially, while the chains were riveting up
on us,-assuring us that it was all most kind
ly intended for our good land that passive O.
bedience and non-resistnnce, as they were
most commendable and becoming in us, on
the one hand, so they were most acceptable &
gratifying to him, eur most rightful lord and
master, on the other.
Yes, fellow citizens, that low and vulgar u
snrpation that accident and an abused conf
dence have conspred to clothe with an cphem-
eral and short lived power over us, is the same
in kind, though much greater in degree, as
that which was presented and set forth by
those illustrious Wings, our revcred forefath-
ers. on the 4th Of July, l776, in the immortal
state paper that has this day been read TO u.s.
In the view which we are about TO take OF
the state Of the nation, we shall make no dis
tinction between the present incumbent of the
executive chair, and his immediate predeces-
sor. "Coming events" it is said, Gotten cast
their shadows belore"; and if Van Buren, were
not the omnous shadow, fitting malignly be-
fore his misguided predecessor his own word
for it, we are assured, that, faithful as the shad-
ow to the substance, he will follow in his foot
steps. For all purposes Of mischief, then, we
have the Jackson administration still. In de-
| hance of the Constitution, we have still the
vile, consolidated CUNT" -the crude extract
ed essence of the audacious executive protest.
! bullying the Senate, and through them this
| whole people, in the matter Of the seizure oil
the public money and the removal of the de-
postes. In word, we have the absolute, I'M
limited monarchy of Andrew Jackson, in the
| DGTSOH Ol MS HOHtIttG anu SuCCGSsOl. Leu us
see now how true to the letter, and with what
singular accuracy the parallel runs between
! the acts Of the monarch we had on the 4th OF
July, 1776, and the acts of the monarch that
now rules over us ;-between the chronicles OF
George the Third. and Martin Van Buren,.
And flst:-"1he history Of The present King
Of Great Britain" says the Declaration Of In
Dependence ais history Of repeated injuries
and uSurpations, all hauing in direct object the
establishment Of an absolute tyranny ouer these
States" What intellect is so dull and stupid
as not to see in this an accurate description Of
the present administration Ii a despot was
about to establish an absolute tyranny over
| these States. in what mode could he accom-.
plsh it so efiectually to have the unlimited
power of removing tried and faithful officers
from their places, and filling them with hi;
creatures-With men willing and obedient to
do his tyrannical peasure2 The sagaclou;
trainers Of the constitution were not SO def
Gent in penetration as to leave such power II
the hands Of any man. 1t is made the duty o
the President to ask the advice and consent o
the Senate, to all such appointments, wthou
which advice and consent no constitutional ap
pointment can be made. The President
moreover, has no constitutional power 10 re
noue any man from office. There is no sucl
power to be found in the constitution. A con
stitution, with such grant OF power would b
pregnant with the very elements of despotsnl
Ii would indeed be that covered Unit'-tha
disguised monarchy, the odious results C
which we are now suffering. The power the
docs not exist. But the present king" sue
cessor"--I believe is the legitimate and au
thorized court fustan by which he is know
and distinguished--ha used this power TO tn
most odious aAd unlimited extent, and for tn
yilest purposes. Repeatedly so. They arc
therefore, repeated usurpations, all having il
direct object the establishment o. an absolut
tyranny over these States" Time nor the oc
casion will admit of our adverling 10 all tn
, injuries and nsurpations which have been IN
nicted upon us, Of the same character OF thos
which were inflicted upon our foreiathcrs b
the king of Great Britain. Some of the NOR
prominent facts and condolences are all tina
0 we are now able to Submit to a candid world
, To proceed then.
Secondly :--" He has refused his assent
latcs the most wholesome and accessory for III
, public good" says the declaration. Tyrann
is indeed always a emit" 1t makes little {
no improvements forced always 10 borro'
from itself and to repeat itself; II is the sam
palsied, paralysing essence OF evil, in all time
{ and under all circumstance 1t natu all
hates any lao but its own will aud such a
are most wholesome and necessary 10 the pull
| lie good, are of all earthly things its creates
adherence. Such laws will, therefore, Away
receive the tyrants refusal. They will
"petoed." Who is there that can read the e.
tract from the Declaration of independence
the head of this paragraph, without having a
the Veto Messages rise In naked array beioi
: him2 And who is there so Supplied, so sui
dued, so broken down, seryllc and dispirie
i as not to sec in those detesable Vetoes, Il
n of all ON sufprinUs 90 II 4