Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-06-26

Many OF Ule t1Vffsffc1
subject are by no means corrcct but il is that
ii is my opinion that no pledge should be made by an
individual when in nomination for any Office in the
gift OF the People. And why! Once adopt it, and the
battle will no longer be 20 the stronr-to the viruous
or the sincere lover of the counry but to him who
Is prepared 10 tell the greatest number of les and to
proicr the largest number Of pledges which he never
intends 10 carry out suppose that the best Guaran-
tee which an American citizen could have of the
roctncss of the conduct of individual in the future
would bchls conduct IN the past, when he had no
temptation before him, opractice deceit.
Now f'llow citizens, have not altogether grown
grey under the helmet of my country, although
have worn it for some time \ large portion of my
life has been passed in the civil departments Of GOV
eminent Examine my conduct there, and the most
tenacious democra-l use the word in It's proper
sense; mean not to conine it TO parties for there
good on hoth-may doubtless discover faults, but
he will find no single act calculated TO derogate from
the rights of the people.
However, to prove the reverse of this, have been
called Fedcrast! Here was a cry of "thc charge
Is liza base lie. You are no fedtralst."J Well,
what is Il cdcralist? rccoloct what the term for
merly s.nifed, and there are many others present
who rocollcct its former Specification also. They
know that the federal party We're accused Of de-
sign To strengthen the hands Of the general govern
ment at the expense of the separate States. That
accusation would nor cannot apply me. | was
brought up after the strctest manner of Virginia
federalism, St. Paul himself was not greater de-
voice t, the doctrines of the Pharisccs, than was by
inclination and fathers preccpts and example, to an
tl-irdcrasm was TAUGHT TO believe that, sooner or
later, that fatal catastrophe to human liberty would
take paco-lhat the general government would swal-
low up all the State governments and that one de.
partncnt of the government would swallow up all
the other departments. | do not know whether my
friend Mr. Van Buren, (and he is, and hope ev-
can swallow every thing; but | do know, that II
his measures are carried out, he will lay Foundation
for others to do so if he does not.
What rejecting man, fellow citizens, cannot see
inns The REPRESENTATIVES, of the ppODlp
Tie source of power. Is it SO now! Nay.-lt * to
the Executive mansion now that every eye Is turned
that every wish is directed The men of office and
party. who are governed by the principles of John
Randolph to wit: the five loaves and two fishes, seem
to have their constantly directed to the great bell
at head quarcIs, to indicate how the little ones shall
ring.
But to return, have but to remark that my anti
federalism has bccu tempered by my long service in
| The employ of country-and my frequent oaths 10
support the general governments but am as ready
10 RESIST the encroachmcnls on State rights ms am
to support the legitimate authority of the Executive
or general government.
Now, fellow citizens, have very little more 10 say,
except to exert You 10 20 on peacefully If you can
ana you can--to effect that reform upon which your
| hearts are fixed. What calanous consequences
Will cnsao to the world if you fail If you should fail
now the tyranls of Europe will rejoice. il you fail,
now Will the friends offrecdom scattered like the few
planets OF heaven, over the world mourn, when they
! see the beacon light of liberty oXtngulshcd-tho
lisht whose rays they had hoped would yet penetrate
lhe whole benighed world. If you triumph ii will
only be done by vigilance and attention. Our personal
friends, but political enemies, reminded each other
t',at Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" While
Jourhcylhg ,hhcrward, | observe this motto waving
AZ mo head OF procession composed of the friends Of
me present administration. From this Inferred that
discflnlnauon was necessary in order to know who
| to watch, Under Jefferson, Madison and Monroe
the eye Of the People was turned to the right source
to the administration. The Administrations however.
now say to the People, "You must not watch us but
| watch the Who's ONLY do that al
old fashioned republican rule is to watch the govern
ment. See to the government. See that The gov
eminent does not acquire too much power. Keep q
And il your efforts should result successfully, and
should be placed in the Presidential chair shall in
yite recurrence 10 the old republican nlc, TO watch
the Administrator and 10 eoAdemn all ite acts which