Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-08-31

House " tney u spoil the CuTpetS
Mr. :-Sir--I observe that in your
last paper you head an editorial article with
the question "who is John Smith," and
and proceed 10 answer it in part, in an able
and satisfactory manner; ON sir dem.
ocrat of ST. Adams, but little engaged 10
politics, yet residing as do where the
friends of MI Smith arc strenuous and I'M
firing in their efforts to gain his election;
1t is on this account that wish 10 answer
the question propounded in your last and
| shall proceed on this ground WIS do
not consider Mr.. S. answerable for all that
his friends may assert respecting him, but
| do think, that he is to be considered as
asserting to those assertions of his friends
which he hears them make respecting him,
or knows that they do make without taking
the pains TO deny them;
With this explanation proceed to an
swer your enquiry. John Smith is the
man who was able to satisfy the Van Buren,
committee from the convention at Cam.
bridge that he was "good ,ehole hog Fan
Bwenite' and as SUCH the democratic par
ty e this district resolved to support him
But what do his friends say to this? that
he is whole hog Van Buren, man? No.
But while some are instructed 10 tell par
tieular individuals that he is a good Van
Buren, man, others are from the same
source instructed 10 say to other particular
persons that he is GOOD WIG, and will
pledge their word and honour (for what its
WORTHY to that effect. Now sir l am not
inclined 10 like such ,rjgsling. Had Mr..
Smith been willing to remain firmly, openly
on democratic ground the case had been
dffe rent, but as it is, in the present condi~
lion of our country, when firmness and un-
J compromising adherence to principle are so
much needed, when the old firmncss Of q
WashiDgton-a Patrick Henry and an Ad.
ans, arc 60 fas, becoming lost sight of,
cannot 90 for man who is obliged to shuf'
fle thus much, that he may obtain place
in the councils of the nation-again. when
a man is obliged 10 summon to his aid an
army of supporters on the ground Of per.
sonai friendship, relationship, because he is
a citizen of ST. Adams, neighbour, and q
thousand other considerations of similar
nature, and fails to place himself for sup.
port upon the ground Of his giving his at.
tenlion and best efforts to The interests Of his
uhole country, then fear that man is losing
sight of ciple-that if he NOW urges the
necessity of voting for him because he Is a
relative, a friend. or townsman, or (as has
been in many cases strenuously urged by
the friends of Mr. S. because The indivd-
uaI is under obligation for past favors-he
will at some future time, be obliged himself
to weld to the force of the seine argument,
and thus lay open The broad road to bribery
and corruption in our government officers,
for in my opinion there is, no difference be-
tueen bribing man by relationship and
farors past, and bribing him by q jaUor TO
come. Again, when his most intimate
friends revie and scott, at even the young
men among us for making 'politiccs mat.
Ter Of conscience" and man himself can
didate for Congress is willing to be under
stood that he does not make ''polltics q
matter of conscience again | fear
that what they despise in Others, they will
themselves forsake, and then the only sure
guide to reclitude being laid aside, our hall
Of legislation will become what they are
fast verging to-places where bribery and
intrigue rule and where calm and reasona'
Bile discussion enter not. And sir it seems
TO me that in urging such arguments as
those of friendship, relationship, and .)auors
shown 81. Adams, Mr.. S. and his friends do
not comply with the spirit of the resolution
adopted among others at the Democratic
Convention "to lay aside all local interests II
and 90 for John Smith as a democrat. ;"
Whatever his friends in Burlington may
J saw know not, but | do know that here
they tell us that we must vote for him as
citizen of St. Albans.
Such is my answer 10 the question "who
is John Smith," aud it is because he has
taken these grounds since his nominal ion
that shall not vote for him-but shall vot G
for that candidate who was nominated by
the Wings, and has stood upon the same
r ground during the whole contest, and
doubt not will ever remain lhere-and Ma
, man is HEMAN ALLEN.
A DEMOCRAT IN ST. ALBANS
| l,rne/