Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-08-14
FOURTH ID lSTRICT.

The Iocofoco convention met at Cambrdpe
on the 18th inst. and re-nominatcd John Smith as
candidate for Congress. Several resolutions
but no addrcss-wcre adopted. The resolu-
tons endorse Mr.. Van Buren,, Col. johnson, and
John Smith-declare friendship for the tariff,
and insist upon "avowals.' Mr.. Van Ness, az
usual, made speech but was quite brief less
spirited than on former occasions, and we prc.
sumo, omitted to abuse Gen. Harrison for not
giving "pledges." Mr.. V. n. desired to have
been the candidate himself, it is said and the
fact that he could now get only dozen votes in
convention that heretofore nominated his bar
gage, was rather an unkind indication, and
doubtless damped his ardor. But this is nothing
that concerns us.
lnasmuch "a nothing is said in the proceed.
ings about an address on this occasion, it is to be
presumed that the party will adopt the old adj
dress of 1884, at which time this same John
Smith and this same c. p Van Ness were rial
candidates. And, for the purpose of directing
the attention OF the democratic portion of the loco
foco party to this document, we quote an extract
or two together with the running comments of
the Sentinel, upon Mr.. Smiths political charac.
ter, generally. Abiding to this gentleman, the
address says
He is man of fair character in private life.
but of the old teieral party-the opponent
"and REVILER of jefferson and Madison
"thc STRENUOUS OPPOSER of the last
"war, and found cxertng all his influence to
"thwart the government in the prosecution of it
land II we may Judge from his past political
course he has not discarded the principles by
switch he was then governed" -Democratic
Address, Aug, 1884.
This is the testimony OF democratic conven.
ton, composed of the leading men from all parts
OF the dlstrct--mcn familiar, it is to be prcsum.
ed, with MIR. Smiths character and early bisto.
ry But to this, the Franklin Journal dem,rrod
whsrcupon the Sentinel of the next week added
the following clcnchcr:
John Smith was opposed to the last war, has
"aIroys been a rank feaeraiist and if he did moi,
live to oppose the election and administration
"o Thomas Jefferson, he has rendered himself
equally cupablc with those who did, by zeal.
"o~ opposition throughout his ,cAole poltjcai
- "N''iS'ihdii plIllCpcS. w Ill The
"wrlter or the editor of the Journal deny this
"Why has the writer Gin the Franklin JournaD
"wlth such jcsuitcal fncsse, passed over the
"chargc of federalism made upon Mr. Smith in
"the address! Docs he think that the demo.
"cratlc ireemcn will be deceived by this pucrile
'a,tempt at whitcwashng his former political
character, and by it be drawn into his support
"Was he not the jealous coadutor of the Hon.
"Bcniamn Swift during the last war, And do
"thc leading partizans of Mr.. Smith consider
"men who deemed it unbccoming moral and
"religious people to rejoice at our victories,
"good democrats - Sentinel, Aug, 10, 1884.
Such was the significant inquiry OF the Senii-
mel in 1884, little dreaming that II wouid De
called upon to prove that this same "revIler OF
Jefferson. one who deemed 1t unpecomng
moral and religious people to rejoice at our vic
,,ros" was indeed "good democrat" But
,bus saith the record. And did the Sentinel
and the democratic address speak the truth in
Is34, If SO, ,non is the problem solved, and
,,e may inform the next man who interogates
. "'"'