Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-07-10

VI IL Snould ever DE IN my power 10 pay
the debt which is due these brave but neg
lected men, that debt shall first OF all be paid |
And am very well satisfied that the gov
eminent can afiord il, PROVIDED THE LATCH.
STRING OF THE TREASURY SHALL EVER BIZ
MORE CAREFULLY PULLED IN Perhaps
you will ask me for some proof Of friend.
ship for old soldiers. If so, can give it
you from the records of Congress. When
the fifteen hundred dollar law was repealed,
opposed it. as opposed changing the pay
Of members OF Congress from six TO eight
dollars, until we had done justice to, and pro-
vided for, these soldiers. You will find my
votes upon this question among the records
Of Congress, and my speech upon it, in the
published debates olihe time.
will now, fellow-citizens, give you my
reasons for having refused TO give pledges
and opinions more freely than have done
since my nomination to the Presidency
Many OF the statements published upon this
subject, are by no means correct but il is
true that il is my opinion that no pledge
should be made by an individual when in
nomination for any Office in the gift Of the
People. And why2 Once adopt it, and the
battle will no longer be 10 the s,rong-t TO the
vinuous-or 10 the sincere lover OF his coun-
try; bit 10 him who is prepared TO Tell the
greatest number of lies. aud 10 proffer the
largest number OF pledges which be never
intends TO carry out suppose that the best
guarantee which an American citizen could
have ofthe correctness of the conduct OF an
individual in The future would be in his con
duct in the past, when he had no temptation
before him TO practice deceit
Now fellow.ciizens, have not altogeh-
err grown gray under the helmet of my coun-
try. although have worn il for some time.
A large portion Of my life has been passed
in the civil departments Of government Elk
anime my conduct there, and the most tena-
cious democ rat-I use the word in its prop
or sense mean not TO con6ne il to parties,
for there are good in both-may, doubtless,
discover faults. but he will find no single act
calculated to derogale from the rights OF the
people.
However, to prove the reverse OF this, ]
have been called Federalist Here was
loud cry of'qhe charge is liza base lie.
You are no federalism Well, what is
federalst? recolect what the word for
merly signifed, and there arc many others
present who rccolect its former signi6ca-
ton also. They know that the federal party
were accused OF design 10 strengthen the
hands ofthe general government at the ex-
pense OF the separate States. That aeousa-
ton could not or cannot apply to me, was
brought up after the st'ictest manner Of
Virginian nnti.(ederolism. ST Paul himself
was not q greater devotee 10 the doctrines Of
the Pharisees, than was |, by inclination and
a fathers precepts and example, 10 anti.
federalism. was taught TO believe that,
sooner or later, that fatal catastrophe TO hu-
man liberty would take place-thal the gen.
eral government would swallow up all the
State governments, and that one department
OF the government would swallow up all
the other departments. | do not know
whether my friend Mr. Van Buren, land he
is, and hope ever will be, my personal
4 iriend) has gulet that can swallow every
Thing but do know, that if his measures
are all carried out he will lay foundation
10 do so il he does not.
What rejecting man, fellow-ci,izens, can
not see this2 The Representatives Of the
People were once the source OF power Is
it so now2 Nay. II is 10 the Executive
mansiop.now that every eye is turned-lbat
every wish is directed. The men of Office
ard party, who are governed by the seven
principles of JonN RANDOLPH, to wit: the
live loaves and two fishes. seem 10 have
their ears constantly directed TO the great
bell at head quarters, TO indicate how The
little ones shall ring.
But TO return, have bu; to remark that
my anti.federaism has been tempered by
my long service in the employ Of my coun-
try-and my frequent oaIhs to support her
general government; but am as ready TO
resist the encroachm ens on State rights, as
am TO support the legitimate authority OF the
} Executive or the general government.
Now, felIow-cilizens, have very little
: more to say. except to exhort you TO go on,
peacefully if you can-and you can-lo eff
feet that reform upon which your hearts are
fixed. What caamilous consequences will
ensue to the world if you fail If you should
fail how the tyran,s Of Europe will rejoice.
If YOU fail, how will the friends of freedom,
scattered, like the few planets of heaven,
over the world. mourn, when they see the
beacon light OF liberty xtinguished-the
light whose rays they had hoped would yet
penetrate the whole benighted world.
If you triumph, it will only be done by
vigilance and attention. Our personal
friends, but political enemies remind each
other that Eternal vigilance is the price Of
Liberty" While journeying thilherward,
observed this motto waving at the head Of
a procession composed the friends ofthe
present administration. From this infer
: ed, that discrimination was necessary in or