Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-08-17

is readily solved, when we bear in mind that the
Democrats in Congress in 1916 were the same
Democrats who, with Madison and Harrison, had
carried through bloody but successful war IA
ganst the British and Indians, while the present
leaders OF the Van Buren, party are the same den.
teal men whose sympathies at that eventfu peri
cd were lavished upon the enemy. Another gen
tleman, in his definition of this puzzling word
" democracy" was almost us learned and perspi
cacious as was Bardoph in his notable expana-
ton OF the term accommodated. You will find
this last word most perspcuousy defined in a col
loqulum between Barloph and Justice Shallow
in Shakespenrc's second part of King Henry ".
| will read the passage:
'Bdrdotph. Sir, pardon soldier is better
accommodates than with wife.
tShalop 1t is well said in faith sr and it is
well said indeed, too. Better accommodated! It'll
is good; yen, indeed, it is good Phrases are sure
ly, and ever were, very commendabIe. Accom-
nOdd ed! II comes from accommodate very good |
Il good phrase.
"Bdrdolph Pardon me, sir have heard the !
ioord. Phrase, call you it? By this good day,
know not The phrase; but will mnintain the |
oOrd with my sword, to he a Soidier-like ,oord aud
n word oil exceeding good Command. .1ccomoda.
led that is, when man is, as they say, acomnlo-
dated; or, when man is-being- whereby-he |
may be ,ho't to be accommodated; which is an ex-
celleut thing
Ia like manner the term deniVcrat may be cx-
planned TO unfold its signihcaton to the com.
prebension of the wise and the witty, the unlearn-
ed and the foolish. Thus locofoco may say: 4
will maintain the word tlemocratl with INV sword.
to be soldier-liko word, and a word Of exceed
ing command. Democrat that is, as they say, a
Democrat; or when man is-beng-whereby-
he may be thought to be democrat, which is an
excellent thing"
Well, sir, after got all these definitions before
me, could no, forget the anecdote of a yankee
schoolmaster who called up lad, and asked him
to define bat. Oh yes, said Isaac, | can do
tbat-'A bat is flying insect about as large as a
piece OF chalk il has India rubber wings, and n
shoe string tail it best with its eyes shut and
bites like the devil Now, think this descrp-
ton comes as near to some of these descriptions
of Van Buren, democrat MS any thing | have ever
read
| In my judgment, it is good definition of n
| Democrat to say that he was in favor of the last
war, and that he supported the Administration OF
james Madison, who in special message to Con
gress, had Recommended that war. And it is an
equally good description Of Il Federalist TO say
that he was opposed 10 James Madison, and uni.
Jed with the peace party TO prevent his election
Now, Sir, desire to try artn Van Buren's
political principles by this orthodox test. And
for that purpose, will refer the committee to
paragraph in Enmons Life of Van Buren,, writ.
ten in 1885, tor The purposes of advancing Mr.
Van Buren's interests. | wish TO introduce the
proof which this book furnishes and which nc
Locofoco dare gaInsay, Of the part which Martin
Van Buren, took during the last war. | read from
pages 10 and IA:
"He MIR. Van BUREN, took his seat in the Sen
ate in November, 1872 at the meeting held for the
choice OF Presidential electors. The republican
members of The Legislature having, in the prece.
ding summer, nominated De Wit Clinton for
President in opposition to Mr.. Madison, then a
candidate for re. election, and that nomination
having been rendered 10 and accepted by Mr.
Clinton, MIR. Van Buren, thought il due to consis-
tency and good faith to support electors friendly
to that gentleman
All very good. 1t appears, then, by the account
of his own biographer, that Martin Van Buren,
was opposed to the reelection of James Madi
son; that Martin Van Buren, "thought it due lo
consistency"-c consistency, ny that is the word
ito support electors" who would give theil
votes against the war candidate, James Madison
1t is clear, therefore, from the testimony of hs
own biographer, if there were no other evidence
that Martin Van Buren, acted in unison with the
Federasts, with the " Blue Lights and with the
Tories against the Democratic war administration
in 1912. care not how long or how loud h,
talked about democracy; the question is: W Ina
did he do? How did he act? | caro- not l say
in what manner he talked, SO long as know thu
he voted against Madison the only candidate o
the democracy of the country and the war par
~. But will tell you what Martin Van BureI
emssares from New York TO Pennsylvania ant
other States TO get up anti Madison party there
meetings of this party were held, at which tn
war and its abeItors were denounced enlistment
of men were discouraged loans TO enable TN
Government 10 prosecute the war with vigor wer
refused. One of the first displays of this peac
party feeling in Pennsy lyania took place at Littl
York, oil the 9Th Of September, 1912, not quit
three months after the declaration of war.
meeting was at that time convened, the proceed
ings of which were extensively published l vii
read u part OF them ms a suitable commentary Of
Martin Van Buren's pretended democracy at tina
day, when democracy meant something besid
corresponding with kings and yrans about the re
publcaa beauties of the Sub.Troasury system:
HThis meeting disapprove OF the nomination G
Mr. Madison for the next Presidency
Because he has been nominated al Washingto
10y II caucus of certain members Of Congress an
officers OF his own appointment, who attempt l.
Illustrate the free suffrage OF the nation and ther
is reason To believe that all this has been brougl
about by intrigue and official influence
Because he has precipilately and rashy urge
Congress 10 declare war, at Il time when the coun
try was unprovded with the means of carrying
on with success, before adequate protection Ina
been provided for our seacoast and frontiers, an
before the commercial part of the community ha
an opportunity of Withdrawing their property on
of the hands of The enemy
because Mr.. Madison is devoted 10 the South
ern policy, which is hostile to commerce. aud col
sequenuy discouraging to agriculture, the NV
great sources from which Pennsy lyania derive
her prosperity
Resolved, That This meeting concur with Il
republicans of the State OF New York in the non
inatou of the honorable De Wit Clinton as Gu
didae for the office of Presldent-De Witt CliI
ton, not more distinguished for his talents al
patriotism than his infiex,bie adherence 10 rspu
lican principles; yet, unlike Mr. Madison, he is
friend TO pence aud commerce.
I,appears from The proceedings of the fo
meeting that the peace party affected TO d'sappro
Of the nonination of James Madison thr
grounds. Let us examine them severally. Firs
that it was brought about by intrigue and ofiici
influence Ii is true that James Madison W