Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-07-30
TO THE FREEMEN OF VERMONT
ftHoc CiGseas -:

TO THE FREEMEN OF VERMONT.
fdio,e CHsenS -
Your Delegates, assembled in State Con-
venton, having deliberated upon the qucs-
tons involved IN the approaching state cleo
ton, and selected candidates TO be presen-
ted for your sullrages, deem the occasion
appropriate to address YOU.
1t is, fellow citizens, noble privilege
which we enjoy, of selecting by our free
suilrages the men who shall make our laws
and administer our government. The mag
nltude of the trust committed TO us, and
the vast and varied interests involved in its
discharge, demand n frequent and careful
review of our principles Of political action.
That action is, at this time, limited to our
state election but the State is Il part of
great coniedcrated Republic, the prnci-
pies of whose administration are necessari-
ly affected directly, or indirectly, by those
OF each OF lis constituent sovreigntles -
We never act in our political capacity
without acting for the whole nation, and
under responsibilities vast as its great inter
ests, its various relations, aud its momentous
destiny can make them. If we act from
wrong principles,or adopting right ones, fail
to carry them out, we put at hazard the lib
critics OF great people, and betray the in
tercsts of the human race.
Our connoxion with the other members
of the coniederacy, and the influence which
we exert upon It's government, always of
high moment, are rendered more important
by considerations peculiar TO the present
crisis. While the Federal Government re-
tanned its ust constitutional balance, each
department moving IN It's appropriate sphere
and exertlng its appropriate powers, TO pro-
mote the country's welfare, there was less
need of solictude, and less call for jealousy.
While the government was in the hands of
the founders OF the Republic, we were safe.
! There was a security against an abuse of
/ power, either by the whole government, or
any branch of it, of a far higher character
/ than the force of mere parchment provis-
| ions. 1t was in the stern virtue, and unben-
ding integrity ofmen who had peiiled eve
ny thing for liberty, and who knew, and
seemed capable ofknowing, no other ambi-
ton but that Of serving the country, from
whose soil they had driven the oppressor
and whose institutions they had laid on the
broad basis ofthe equal rights of man.
Half century has elapsed, and great
and portentous change has come over the
country We have eXtrcated oursclyes
from the embarrassfnents which tolAw ed
our Revolutionary struggle, increased ouI
population augmented our wealth, and
become great, prosperous and powerful
nation.
But the Revolutionary and Constitutional
Fathers are gone Oar governments have
ceased to be administered by them. The
transition has been one of fearful trial tc
our institutions and TO none more than Il
the constitution Of the United States. Tha
constitution was designed to secure a gov
eminent of the People in the true spirit o
Democratic Republicanism. Its founda
ton rested upon their intelligence and viz
tue, and lis integrity was guarded by then
jealousy of power. The great and promn
ent business of making laws was coniideC
TO a Senate and House Of Representatives
subject to qualified check in an executive
vote. The members of these bodies wer'
the Representatives of the States and th'
people. The President was the executive
of the laws made by them. The idea tina
either Of the Legislative branches Of th'
government was 10 be, in any manner, afiec
ted, either IN their constitution or legisla
. tive action, by the President, never entere'
the conceptions ofthe trainers Of the con
stituion. The President was 10 eKecut
p the laws-superintcnd the foreign relation
/ with the advice of the Senate 10 max
| treaties. and with their advice and consent
Y TO appoint executive officers. But IN tb
/ Performance Of these duties he was suppO'
1 ed 10 be eiiectuolly restrained from an abus
0 Of power. The execution Of the laws mad
e by Congress, was supposed 10 carry IN ih
+. very nature Of the duty restraints and limi
r ations, Of no iueonsiderable efficacy; viii
+, the advice and consent Of the Senate vi
q deemed sufficient guard against an abu'
Of the appointing power. To these soppo
ed checks was added that Of constitution
al liability Of the President 10 imPeschmei