Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-08-03
COMMUNICATIONS.

10 designate class of men who have be.
come quite common among US. mean those
who at particular times are seized with
sudden convictions of the truth of great and
leading measures. which they have long
opposed and on particular occasions 60 over
to the opposite party and receive a particu
lar reward. Time has been when any
sudden change in the political course of
public man would have excited surprize and
unless good reasons were offered, public
condemnation would have followed. But
these changes are now so common that
they are not even nine days wonder.
The exercise of the political franchise
should be matter of conscience, aud the
importance of q religious observance Of it
cannot be too often nor too strongly en-
forced. 1t is the ark ofour safety, and the
man that triAes with it is an enemy 10 his
country, and in the sight of Heaven per-
jured wretch. What hold have we upon
the man that can trifle with duty? In
courts of justice the testimony Of an indi.
vidual is laid aside on the ground that his
reputation for truth and veracty is ques.
toned. How little then can we confide in
men who, by their conduct, shew they dis
regard entirely the obligations of conscience
in the discharge of political duties!
Changes in political views are as common
as any other changes, and when made in
sincerity are evidences of the highest in
tegri,y. Thousands abandoned the sup>
port of Mr. Adams and joined the Jackson
party, and no one doubts that the great mass
Of them were actuated by the highest sense
of duty. Now thousands and thousands
are fast abandoning the support of General
Jackson's successor, and who doubts but
that they are conscientious in their course;
and in this as well as the first change have
a single eye 10 their countrv's welfare
The circumstances attending these changes
generally leave little or no doubt upon the
mind. When men are honest in their con-
victons their conduct is in keeping with
their principles, and the world is not left
to doubt as to motives. So likewise when
men of ambitious views and aspiring dis.
positions, break from old associates and 90
over to their opponents there is little room
for uncertainty. No man ever mounted
hobby and attempted to ride into power
upon it, but what all the world saw through
it, and the arts used 10 g loss over the affair
and make it plausible, rendered the decep.
ton more apparent. Take a case, an in.
dividual of high powers Of mind, capable of
the fullest examination, devotes his best
exertions In learn the bearing of public
measures, and comes to the conclusion that
the Wings are right and for years supports
their cause-is leader in the party and
takes n distinguished part in the public ad.
ministration Of The government; but all at
once, without any apparent reason, goes
over. Now what are we TO think of it {!
IF the change Of his course arises from any
conviction that he has been in error, he
can easily give those views-f he is a man
of sensibiity he will do tiff he regards
his reputation he will be careful TO let those
views be known. But when such a one
not only goes over, but is nominated to
some public place. the inference to be
drawn is now certain by taking The reward
he shews Dhat he had in view.
Take another case. another individual
of like power and capacities, and like re-
latons to the public, not only goes over,
but keeps going over, if the first somerset
does not prove productive, turns another,
and this not only without apparent reason,
but at such peculiar moments of some
public excitement as indicating an advan-
tage to be gained, and in due lime he also
is nominated to some high loffice. Now,
as all men act for some object and regulate
their course to attain that object, we learn
the object OF this twisting and turning
No convictions of duty then entered into
the account they turned for the sake of
on office. VIVA: are we to think of such
things? 1t fills the mind with sorrow, and
though the condemnation may not be ex.
pressed in words, it is felt and deeply felt,
and not only so, but they feel it, and fee
degraded by it. The price of an Office is a
poor compensation for such sacriice.-
Better, far better would it be, to live in
some secluded corner of the world and fee
that independence of the soul which virtue
ever gives, than to enjoy The highest hon.
ors of the State, if bought at the sacrifice
Of self esteem.
But the love of power is Unsuitable. 1T
cry is give, give. The daughter Of thu
horse leech is not more boisterous, nor TIT
fires Of incestuous desire, more uncon:roa
BILE. How is the page of history blackene'
by the names of those who have barteret
honor and fair name to crafty their no
desires. Catalines have lived in all ages
the name Of Robespiere stands for class
and Cromwell is not the last of the rae,
who have mounted hobbies and rode then
for effect.
There is one surprising difference be
tween the changes that have occurred
In the thousand changes from Van Buren,
ism to the Wings. the evidence is cea
that the love of Office had no influence, bu
in the recent changes the other way, tn,
euilence Ia Irresistible thai The loua of q &C n,