Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-10-11


From ths Free Press.
The Aristocracy. There has always been
a conflict in this country between the arts
,ocracy Of wealth and the influence of tai.
ent. Instead of aiding and sustaining n
latter in its exeriions to rise to tho G
stations in society. which wealth with.
out mesit is too often able to comma,
the aristocracy labor to crush &c nus in IT,
aspirings, ifit-canaot bride il to the support
pfits cause. Instances are numerous where
me arisiocracy of-wealth seeing talented
spirit :fslng from the ranks of the people,
nave first endeavoredf 10 win him 10 their in.
iercsts but falling in that, have Piled all their
engines 10 arrest him in his upward career
and chain him 10 the earth.
Or the truth of these general remarks, the
history ofihe life Of Martin Van Buren, fur.
n'Shes Almost ample illustration. Mr.. Van.
Buren, rose from humble life, poor in out.
ward wealth, but affluent in the more sub
stantlal riches OF a clear head, an homes
heart. and an unconquerabe Independence
ofmind. Anticipating, from his first appear.
ance before the public eye, that he was des.
med to be leading star in the political no
flzon, the aristocracy, at first, strove TO al
tach him TO their interests. But finding him
too beral for their purpose, too much de;
voted TO republican principles, and too in.
flexible in his determination 10 stand or fa;,
upon his own merits, they resolved to crush
him early, before he became TOO powerful
in his strecgth. For this purpose none OF
the ordinary weapons of the aristoclac,
fwere left unemployed. SANDERS the mos
vile, comparisons the most odio.s, and ridi-
cule the most unsparing, were put i, r,qui
sitlon. The result was, that Mr.. Van BIZ.
rem grew stronger in the public confidence
with every attack made upon him, until he
completely broke up and prostra'e ed the old
and memorable aristocracy of New York
to which he gave the final blow in the Con
vention which revised the old Constitution
of that State.
Similar to the circumstances which distin.
guished Mr.. Van Buren's early history, are
those which attended Gov. Mason's ent.
rance into public life, and his elevation to
he office which he now holds. When he
became resident of Michigan, eight years
ago, there was notn any State in the Union
more potent aristocracy Of weath and off
ice united, than existed in this city. In pc.
ltlcal control, Detroit influence was t,.'n
emphatically, the government of Michigan.
I had, in effect, its DoGE, at whose nod a.
lone, political honors and official patronage,
both AZ home and from abroad. were dis
pensed to personal favoriies. And the
ristocracy Of Venice did not feel lhemseve,
more secure in the continued possession OF
their patronage and honors, than did this
combination of wealth and office.
| From the moment of Gov. Mason's con
nection with public affairs in this state, he
has been the marked object ofthe most Bit
ter and persevering attacks from the organs
and reiainers of the anti.rcpublican inhu.
ence of which we have spoken. At frs
he was denounced as foreign intruder, un
woihy ofthe c)untenance ofthe arstocra
cy, for taking Office where they had been
accustomed 10 lori i, over the people, a,
hey supposed they had right to do. hoo
teddnd spurr'd ty the grace Of God hgjtjm
dtey." Arrogating TO themselves as usual
aNtte talent. they denied that he possessed
tie least particle of that quality, and ascri-
bed to The pens Of others the productions
whose influence they feared and felt in the
gradual prostitution Of their own power
But Ike MIR. Van Buren,, the attacks Of thu
enemies of democracy stimulated him to
more persevcring exertions in the cause Of
The people Of Michigan. until he and they
have redeemed the state from the vassalage
ofone of the strongest selfconstituted arts
ocracics in the Union.
In the present contest for state officers
the arisiocracy have resolved to make the
most desperate exertions to regain thcii
lost power in our political afi;,irs, and pur
down The democracy of numbers who sap
por. their champion, Gov. Mason. Fos
this purpose they have brought into the
field Mr.. e. c. Trowbridge as their candi-
date for governor. Their selection Of that
gentleman for the Office 70 which he aspires
is in perfect harmony with all their move.
mcnts. Mr.. Trowbridge is, scion and
favofite ofthe Old arislocracy to which we
have alluded. and was long at the head of
he mon -ycd power which formed the nn.
clcus around which they gathered. and dis
pcnsed the facilities which made them rich
aud powerful Whether the aristocracy
will succeed IN the election of Mr.. Trow-
bridge viii depend upon the zeal and encr-
gy the democracy os numbers.
/