The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-09-04
FARMERS OF VERMONT.


The time is at hand when you again called
mon TO exercise your constitutional prvegeof
eIectina YOUR rulers and your lawgivers. Unlike
the Governments of the old world, ours is one in
which the power returns annually to the people
from whom it emenated, to be by them again dele
gated to the men oftheir choice. 1t is high boon,
beouenthed to us by the patriots of the revolution,
and which we cannot slight with immunity. This
privilege is equally shared by every class. We
have no exclusive privileged order. The honest
day labores stands on equality with the man of
his thousands. The farmer, the mechanic, the
merchant and the professional man are all equal.
A nd so they should BIO. But there is danger that
we shall undervalue this privilege. The farmer in
the hurry Of harvest not unfrequently neglecs the
polls ,ohen taoo hours absence he might exercise
his high functions "a freeman.
Farmers Of Vermont the present is crisis of no
small importance. The wasteiul extravaganza of
the present administration if not checked, must re-
suit either in the Bankruptcy of the Government or
in direct taration. You know that the expenditures
of Government have boen increased from thirteen
millions to thirty three millions of dollars. You
know that necessity has existed for this extravi-
CANT increase Of expenditures. The cost of the
Government for the last year is nearly three times
/ the cost of the last year of Mr.. Adams admins
tration IL might have increased sOmeachat, from
obvious causes, and there would have been
ofalarm. But to treble the expenses Of Govern
mcnt within short Il time, admits of no apology.
The people should enquire why this expenditure.
Remember, it is but two years since Treasu-
ny overlooking and portion of the surplus
was divided among the people. Now the Govern
ment is in debt, and millions of Treasury notes
have been issued in anticipation of the current rev.
enue. The revenue of the current year being thus
exhausted for the redemption OF these notes, where
is the Government 10 derive supplies for lis supporl1
Why, by resUr'iig 10 I"nrs or to direct taxes And
here your farms aud your ceilings and your chat
tells all be drawn in for their share Of the de-
mands Of an administration which spends 30 mill.
ions annually then did the administration OF
Adams.
FeliOao Citszens be patriotic, DO devoted to the
welfare ofyour country Your country asks but
little now-she asks your ootcs, and will you refuse
them? She asks you come up to her heIn not
| by barring your breast upon The field of bai,le-not
as yet, bv sacrificing your property support her
extravgance, batto gioc your oates for The election
Of snch public servants pledged to reform the
abuses Of Government. For such men as are
opposed to the arstocratic,' onopsing spirit of
those who hold the reins of the national Govern
ment, and who are rIong in wasteful ox;ravigance
upon the peoples money. And will You refuse her
call? Is there one who is awarc of the justice other
claim that will hesitate to leave his own concerns
however urgent, and to join with the thousands
who are flying to the rescue? The eyes Of the ma
ton are upon us, and for once lei The Farmers and
The .hechantcs, tile Democratic Hh;gs of Vermont,
snow themselves worthy of The character they have
long sustained, as patriots and reemen, the dcscen-
dants of Allen and The Green Mountain Boys.
| JEFFERSON.