The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-07-17
For the Spirit Of the Age,
No. l..

FOr Me SprHV me age
No. l.
Amidst all the uncertainty, created by the fatty
contradictory assertions upon almost every topic of
Importance touching the approaching Presidential
election, with which the political papers of the two
contending parties in this country now so boun-
tifuly filled throughout the Union, the wonder is
not that the great mass of voters do not better I'M
derstand the important subjects upon which they
will so soon be called to act but, that so many are
enabled to get at the truth as in fact do. The roub-
lie is, that the newspapers of the present day, in
stead of being what they always should be, (espe-
cialy in a government like ours, where the people
govern, and, consequently, should be truly advised
in all matters the vehicles of correct information,
having truth for their guide, and the dissemination
of correct principles for their only aim are getting
to be established and maintained for other and
quite different purposes. A correct knowledge of
all subjects carried home to the honest freeman,
who would, if he could embrace the truth, has be-
come matter of little Importance in the eyes of
too many conductors of the press, provided it stands
in the way of their attempts to carry any favorite,
partisan object.
Still, amidst all these contradictions and doubts,
to the facts connected with the approaching cleo
tion it is very clear that one Of two things must be
true EITHER That The men al present entrusted
by the people wiM the administration Of the gener-
al government, and their motircs and measures
hare been, and are, the most corrupt Of any That
the WOrH Grcr witnessed, OR those men and their
motires and measures hare been, and are, most
grossly r2iiei and misrepresentcd, Where the
truth lies, is the great question now before the
American people ;--a question imught with more
than ordinary interest," upon a correct decision of
which much must necessarily depend and, perhaps,
the fate of our beloved country 1t bchoves every
voter, therefore, TO consider well the groundwork
of his political belief, to examine carefully and
weigh well the evidence upon which tina, belief is
act, as will best tend TO carry out and perpctuae
those great principles of political liberty and JUS
,ice to secure which to their country and to poster
ity, the veteran patriots of the revolutionary strug
gle Everlasting honors rest upon their nancs,)
endured so great tolls and privaiions and freely
shed their blood. II is true of nations, us of indi-
yduals that if justice does not prevade their coun-
els, they cannot reasonably expoo, long to prosper
If they continue in office and in power, men, who
have been found upon trial TO be acuatcd by sell
fish or exclusively partisan motives, without due
regard to the great and good of the whole who,
reckless of the public welfare, are found to have
exercised the powers conferred upon them, not for
their legitimate purposes and ends, but in rearing
and perpelua,ing political principles and institutions,
calculated to promote their own private interests,
and, perhaps, so specious in appearance as SEEM
ingly to confer lasting blessings upon the people,
yet from which in reality postcrily, ifnol the pres
cnt generation, must inevitably reap harvest Of
bitterness and of deep regret that nation may for
period seem to flourish AS the grccn-bay tree,
but the sap of its political existence will have soon
dried up, there will be no moisture in its roots nor
its branches, it will, in time, wither and die The
same will hold true of the reverse of the PROPOSE
ton. If well tried and faithful public servants
who have been 90 instant in season aud out of sea-
SON. in their exer,ions for the public good, who
have spent their days in labor and anxious nights
of lhoughtiulness, studying how they might mos
faithfully discharge the high trusts committed tC
their care, and best promote their counlry's wei
fare if such men, instead of receiving credit II
the hands of their counlrymcn for, at least ordin
l AIRY ii,hfuncss and common honesty in their oili
cal conduct, are to be accused and stand convicted
by the popular voice of having been " uniaithiu
stewards" and displaced to make room for other
less worthy than they if the people can be St
easily made to "believe lie" and TO regard II
their worst enemies those, who should be held /
grateful remembrance as being their best and mos
: devoted friends, merely from the clamor and falls
accusations proceeding from the hungry swans @
ollice-scekers from without, who would charg
. corruption upon purity rsef, if thereby they coul
but obtain the fruition of their long cherished as
pira,ions for the honors and cuoluments of Office;
II from that moment, the distinction between virtu
and vice is disregarded there Is no longer any II
!. ccn,ivc, in pnblic stations, TO the former, nor d
i couragement to the latter there can no longer cN
d ist rational confidence in the capacity of ihi
d people for sclf-goyernment for Il season it ma
II not be, but sooner or later, unless the fat of ete
d nal truth shu fail, the end of that people as a nj
At ton must come.
Of With these Introductory suggestions, the col
!. sdcra,ion of the question, whether the present AZ
oC ministration, or its accusers are most obnoxious
" the charge of corruption, before the tribunal of
enlightened nation Of lreemcn, will be deferred
= future number THos JEFFERSON.
,;s HON THOMAS SUMPTER.
" This gentleman died lately at his residence ne