The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-06-12

of the day, have heretofore been given to the pub
lie, fully and explicitly and that these views,
whether connected with constitutional or other
questions of very general interest have undergone
no change. The committee are strengthened in
regard to the propriety of this policy that no
issues be made to the public from the cOnsider-
ton, that the national convention, deemed it im-
polite at the The, crisis, to publish any general
declaration of the views of the great opposition
party, and certainly the policy at the present time
remains unatered. In the mean time we cannot
help expressing the hope that our friends will eve
nv where receive the nomination of Gen. Harrison
with something akin to generous confidence
When we reflect upou the distinguished intelli-
gence ofthe nominating convention, how ably all
interests were represented IN that body we GER
lainly have high guaranty, that should General
Harrison be the successful candidate for tire pres-
dency, that office will be happily and constitutional
administered and under the guidance of the same
principles which directed our Washington, Jetier-
SON rnd Madison. Believing you will concur with
us in the propriety of the policy adopted we have
pleasure in subscribing ourselves, Your friends,
DAVID GWYNNE,
J. c. WRIGHT,
o. NJ SPENCER.
II. NJ. SPENCER, Cor. Secretary.
The following questions naturally presents them
selves in view of this very novel and most eXtrnOr-
binary procedure. Could not General Harrison
employ one or more persons to copy for him, and
if ln could not perform the labor of draughtlng,
could he not hilrself dictate, the answers to the
letters received however numerous they might be !?
Ifhe is not capable of doinsas much as this, or
cannot be trusted to do it, is he fit to be our Prcs-
dent or can he be Trusted in that important Office !
hn hoyp oil IN net Tnrh mi
how much more would he be in the hands of 9TH
ers if he was President' Why is not the General
to be accountable for the answers of the Commit
tee, when he hands over his letters TO them for
that purpose? If the committee say or do any
thing which the people approve, Is 1t to 90 for the
Generals benefit, but il something which is not
agreeable, is to ensure then TO fall only upon the
Committee Does not the course pursued by the
Generals friends, in claiming his exemption from
responsibility for the authorized acts of the com
mittee, amount to an acknowledgement that he il
incompetent to act or speak for himse!f' And
does it not follow from the Generals own letter of
1922, that he has really became incompetent to
act, or that he is now guilty Of gross violation of
duty towards the people
But further. Why has il been determined that
the General shall make no further declaration of
his principles for the public eye and WHY did the
lIarr9burgh Convention deem il impOlHic 10 pub
fish the riemS Of The great Opposition party?-
Iflhc principles of the General, or of his party,
are good for the people, why determine to withhold
knowledge of them from the people, II there
is no evil in the matter, why Is ddrkaess prcterrei
10 hghi' Has an instance ever occurred where
party desired the support of the people that rs
views should not be made public' And finally,
whou!d not the American people become degraded,
even in their own eyes, il they supported General
Harrison under these circumstances?
But the people are to be satisfied with display
of Log Cabins aad The taste Of hard Glitter. And
why is not this enough for Mem' Why should the
simpiemen desire any thing beyond his' VIVA, right
have they to claim TO be let into the "ricus Of he
great opposition party !" 1t is true that the DEM
ocratc party pass resolutions and publish addresses
declaring to the world what nrc their views and
principles in relation to all the subjects in The conn-
try, ut this time, has an interest. They have no
cOnccalmcnts. But what reason is thereby furnish
ed, that the sublime mysteries Of whiggery shouH
be exposed 10 the case Of The vulgar! And now
am reminded of another thing. | was at Bali-
more the other day. when the great Wing Conven-
ton Of young men was held, and what think YOU
were the arguments there put forth in foyor ofGen
IIarrison' Why parcel of metais and ribbons
fastened in the button holes ofhcir coats Here are
to YOU. Yes, my friends. in these medals and
ribbons, together with the harrah for log cabins
and hard cider, you have The sum fatal Of argu-
mcnis in faror of General HARRISON
II the Gcnaral had ever been u poor man, or
lived in n log cabin, there would then, indeed,
have bcon at least some historical fact with which
to connect these exhibitions but still IL would have
constituted no claim to the Presidency, nor ailor-
ded nav evidence of his fitness for the office II it,
however notorious that he was born of higl and
rich parcntagc, and that he has always been and
now is, n man of large property, and lives in
large house. Upon the same ground MIR. Van Bu-
rem should be deemed much more meritorions in
the eyes of the people. Ills father, though honest
and respectable had little or nothing, beyond a
good name, to bcqueaih to his children and the
property which the President possesses though
doubtless far inferior to that of General Harrison,
has been acquired wholly by his own exerlions.
In the glorious days of Ie ieraiism, during the
Administration of the elder Adams, and which was
so Justly styled "ihc reign of terror" black cock
ade was worn on the hat by all the faiMfui, and
every body who was found without one was in
danger of being insued if not something worse.
But that having become unpopular, it seems that
now mc iois and ribbOns worn in the button holes,
are to be the distinguishing bndges- All. my fellow
citizens, il the very hope or expectation oi'power
produces such intoxication-such madness, what
may we not be doomed TO bear and TO suffer-. f
God in his providence, should determine to alllic
this country with another temporary rule of such
party. Ibescech YOU to listen TO Mr.. Jeilerson's
own words upon this point. ".No person rho nas
not mitness Of the secrets of that gloomy period
can form any idea Of The affecting prosecutions,
and personoi in!igaiiies nc had TO brook.
had almost forgotten to tel you that Mr. Clay
was at Baltimore land made some great speeches
there, but could not learn that he said any thing
against military chigioi1s or military rule. All
ofyou probably have read, or heard of, speech
made by him at poblir dinner when opposing
General Jacksons ELECTION to the Presidency in
which he 'mplorcd the Nmyhiy TO sconrge this
land with war, pcsicnce and famine, rather than
to give us military chieltain for President" And
within two years past he declared in the Senate
Of the United States, "ihat he had denounced
military aspirant, and had denounced him in Ian
guage which he was proud to have used, when he
had exclaimed, send rs war ,pesiiiGaoe and fam
inc, rather than 10 curse us wih military rule.
Now one Of two things must be confessed, either