The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-07-31
MR.. SENATOR TALLMADGE.

The speech of Mr. Tallmadge, delivered in the
Senate of the United States on the Both of June,
on the proposition of Mr. Wright to repeal the
first twelve sections of the Opposite Act of 1886,
has been published in pamphlet form. MIR. T.
was one of the warmest supporters of Mr. Van
Buren, for the Office of President. His speech is
an able and conclusive argument against the en-
largement of Executive Power. In the follow
ing concluding passage, he renders full justice to
the Democracy of the administration and its sup
porters, and presents IA comprehensive and COM
pact summary of its essential principles and char
acteriscs:
"God deliver me from such Democracy! A
democracy which concentrates all power in the
hands of one mana democracy which subjects
the opinions and actions of party followers TO his
will, and to his will alone-a democracy which
makes the great and paramount interests of the
country subservient 10 the low and grovellng
pursuits of party--a democracy which permits
no action on any question however urgent the
necessity may be, without orders from head quar-
ters-a democracy that appeals to the passions
and preiudces OF the people, instead of enlight-
enIng their judgments, and relying upon their
reason and their pariotism-a democracy which
attempts TO set up class of the community a.
gainst tine OIL her, if their interests were re-
ciprocal and identical--a democracy which de-
MES TO every man the right to think and act for
himself on those great questions in which this
vital interests of the country so deeply in volv-
ed-a democracy which attempts by party drill
and party discipline, subvert the very spirit of
the Constitution, TO substitute Executive for Leg
islative power, to sub ect the will of the Repre-
sentaves TO the will of the Executive; to compel
him TO act contrary to his own opinion against
his own augment, in violation OF his own con-
SCIENCE and in open defiance of the expressed
nj nf his titf,o Aon,r
racy which extends its influence from the seat of
the General Government TO the respective States,
which swallows up the reserved rights OF the
States in the consolidation of the C enral power
"a democracy, in short, which establishes IN the
heart of the country the most perfect despotism
under the deIusive forms of free institutions.
Yes, Mr.. President, such is the democracy of
this federal administration--an administration
that has adopted the ultra federalism of "the
reign of terror" aud now charges upon its for
n,er friends the sins of its own commission. Sir,
the people of the United States cannot be de-
ceved by these vain and hollow pretences De-
mocracy, like monarchy, will be known by its
fruits. The bitter fruits of this administration
have already ripened sufficiently to indicate the
tree OH which they grew-and the people have
long since tasted enough to enable them, like
our first parents to distinguish between good and
evil. Sir, the contest which is now waging, is
to determine the future character of our Govern
ment.
Upon its result depends the question ofthe in
dependence of the Legislative branch, and also
that of the supremacy Of the popular over the
Executive will. AS these shall be determined,
so will the character of our Government be.
This contest will form now epoch in our an
nails, and the future historian, with the luminous
philosophy OF Gibbon,' will date from this period
The RISE OR FALL of our Republican institutions,
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