Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-10-05
SETH PETERSON'S ARGUMENT A.
GAINST LOW WAGES. ~xsf.s 49,.

"A vast aud respectable nsselnblage as this, will
place this argument OF Seth Peterson, sometimes
farmer and sometimes fisherman on the coast OF
Massachusetts, stated to me while pulling an oar
with each hand, and with the sleeves OF his red
shirt rolled up above his elbows, against the argu
mens, tho theories, and the speeches, OF the Adj
and all its friends, in or out OF Con
gress and take the verdict of the country, and OF
the civilized world, whether he has not the best
side of the question.
Since have adverted to this conversation, gen
tlemen allow me to say that this neighhor mine
is man of fifty, OF several SONS of poor ah;
that by his labor he has obtained some few acres;
his own unincumbered freehold, hus comfOrta-
BILE dwelling and plenty of the poor mans bIes-
sings, of these, have known six, decenty and
cleanly clad, each with book the slate aud the
map, proper to its age, all going ut the same time
daily TO ENJOY the blessing OF that which Is the
grea; glory of New England, the common free
school. Who can contemplate this and thousands
Of other cuses like it, not MS clures but as com
mon facts, without feeling how much our Tree
institutions, aud The policy heretofore pursued,
have done for the comfort and happiness OF the
great mass of our citizens! Where in Europe,
where in any part OF the world ont of our country,
shall we find labor thus rewarded, and the grncr
al condition Of the people 80 good' No where.
No where. Away ihen with the injustice and
the folly of Producing the cost OF productions with
MS, TO what is called the common standard OF the
world. Away, then, away at once and forever
with the miserable policy which would bring the
condition Of the laborer i'll the United States TO
that of Iaborer in Russia, or Sweden, in France
or Germany, in Italy or Corsica lnstend of fol-
lowing these examples, let us hold up our own,
which all nations nlny well envy, and which, UNI
happily, in most parts of the earth, it is custer TO
envy than to initiate.
But it is the cry and effort of the times to slim
ulute those who are ca led poor, against those who
i
this cry aud seek TO profit 10y it, there is betrayed
sometimes an occasional sneer at whate, er sayors
Of human life. " itness the reproach against
candidate now before the people for their highest
honUrs, that log cabin with plenty of hard CT
der is good enough toI him.
THE LOG CABIN CRY.
1t appears 10 some persons that a great deal too
much use is made ofthe symbol of the log cabin.
No man ofsense supposes certainly, that the hav
ing lived in log cabin is any further proof of
qualification for the Presidency than us it creates
Ia presumption, that any one, who from humble
condltlon, or under uuiav orab,e circumstances, las
been able to attract a considerable degree OF pub
lac attention, Is possessed OF reputable qualities,
moral and intellectual.
But il is To he remembered that this matter of
the log cabin originated, not with lie friends OF
The wing candidate, but with his enemies. soon
after his nomination at Harrisburg writer for one
OF the leading administration papers spoke OF ms
log cabiu,' aud his of hard cider, by way OF
sheer and reproach. As might have been expec-
ted, for prelendtrS are generally false, tins iault
ut humble lie proceeded from the party which
Claims for itself the character of the Purest de-
nocracy. The whoc party appeared to ENJOY II,
or at least they cOuutenanced II, 10y silent acquies-
cence; for 40 not know that, to this day, any
lnent individual, or amy leading newspaper, at
tached to the administration, has rebuked this
scorniil Jeering AT the supposed Humble condition
or circumstances in life, past present, of
thy man and war-worn soldier. But it touched
tender point in :he public feeling. Ii naturally
reused indignation. What was intended
proach, was Immediately seized on as merit. BE
it so-be 1t So, was the instant burst OF the public
voice. Let him be the log cabin candidate
What you say in scorn, we will shout with all our
lungs from this day, we have our cry Of rally,
and we shall see whether he, who has dwell in one
ofthe rude abodes of the Wesl may not become
! the best house in the country
! All this is natural, and springs from sources of
! Just feeling Other things gentlemen, have had
similar origin. We all know that the term Wing
was bestowed in derison, Two hundred years ago,
on those who were thought too iomd of liberty;
and our national air of Yankee Doodle was com
posed 10y British officers, in rdicule Of the Amcri
can troops, Yet, ere long, the last of The British
armies laid down lis at Yorktown, while this
same air playing in the ears of officers &nlen
Gentlemen, il is only shallow minded pretenders,
who either make distinguished or humble origin
matter of personal reproach. Tauut and scoIng
at humble condition of early life affect nobody in
l this country, hut those who foolish enough 10
indulge in theni and they generally sufficient
~ punished by public rcbuke man who is not
ashamed of himself need not be ashamed of Ills
early condition.
Gentlemen, il did not happen to me to be born
in log cabin; but my eldest brothers and sisters
were born in log cabin, raised amid the snow-
drifts of New Hampshire, al II period so early, AS
that when the smoke first rose from its rude CHM
ney, and curled the frozen hills, there was no
similar evidence of Il white mans habltntlon be-
tween it aud the settlements on the rivers Of Can
ada. Its remains still exist | make 10 it nm an
nnal visit. | carry my children 10 il, to Inspire
like sentiments in them, and 10 teach them the
hardships endured by the generations which have
gone before them. love 10 dwell on the tender
recolectons, the kindred ties the early affections,
and the touching narratives and incidents which
minge with all know of this humble, primitive
family abode ! weep TO think that none Of those
who inhabited il are now among the living and If
ever am ashamed OF il, or il ever fail in atlcc
iionnle veneTaion for HIM who reared ii, and de-
Tended il against savage violence aud destruction,
cherished Nil The domestic virtues beneath It's roof,
and through the fire and blood of seven Yeas
Revolutionary War; shrunk from no danger, M
TOLL no sacrifice, 10 serve his country, and to raise
his children to Il condition better Than bis own.
mny my name, and the name of my posleriy, he
houed forever from the memory of nahtind!
Il ENTRAVAGANCE or THE ApMiNlSTRA.
TON
The expenditures Of Ibis Administrator have
been cIninanty wuseu and eXruvagnnt. Over
aud above The ordinary revenue o! The country,
MIR. Van Barren has spent more llnn t,Oeuty mil
hons lhnI reached the treasury from other sources.
specify
Reserved under The Dcposile Act, $G,000000
4lh lnsalmcnt OF Surplus kept back, 5000 600
Payment by the Bans OF United States
on its Bonds, 100000
S20,0O0,0O0
But even this has been found Insufficient for the
prodigalily of the Administration, and we had not