Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-05-11

ilcdR.
COLUMBUS, April IL, lo4O'
Strike my name from the Nottingham list"
81 cannot do that work.
LEVI MALLERNEE"
We have particular pleasure IN presenting
to our fellow citizens the communication which
follows. We rejoice that the light OF truth is
breaking in upon the minds of Our countrymen,
and thai the despotism of a severe and relentless |
party spirit which has cursed the country for
wears is about TO be overhrown. The vital prin |
ciple Of civil liberty is freedom of thought. A !
framework Of free institutions without indepen- |
dence of opinion and action is but "a whted sep |
ulchre." The fierce tyranny of tue satraps of the
dominant party has at last walked up the spirit OF
rebellion the strong chains in which they have
contrived to bind their victims, are giving way, |
and men are beginning TO remember that they are
frcemen and American citizens. We need not
tell the people of Ohio who Gen. McELvAiNE is. !
BY long and faithful public service, in peace and
in war, he has made himself extensively known
as a patriotic and honorable tuan. An officer in
the regular army during the late war, he did good
service in battle, in lhe hot campaign Of the Nj
.agara frontier and under Harrison in the North !
west An early ami fast friend OF Jackson, he
was n member of both the electoral colleges
which cast the vote of Ohio Tor the hero OF Or
leans, and was one of the Van Buren, Electoral
Ticket of 1886. Subsequently for series OF
years. occupying the place Of Indian Agent to the
Ohio Tribes he ably and successfully discharged
the duties of that responsible appointment, aud,
unlike host oil his contemporaries, received and
tlisbursed annually thousands of the public money
with clean hands" lie had no itcrng iatn"
and no dollar of the peoples treasury stuck to his
fingers. JOHN MCELvAINE has been the strong
man of the Soi-disSdnt Democratic party in this
region. The only man the Oficehoders could
bring out with any prospect of successful compe
tition, against our popular and excellent represen
valive in Congress, J. Rdgeway, Bat difficult as
he contesses it have been to burst the shackles
of party-hard as it was to brave the denuncia
tons which he knew to await him, Gen. MECH
vAINE is too honest to shrink from his duty to his
country We commend his article TO The atteii..
ton of the public, and especially TO THAT portion
Of our fellow citizens TO whom he addresses HIM
self.
For he Ohio Confederate
Mr. EDITOR Ut is not because wish to thrust
nv own opinions before the public uncaed for
but because others have chosen to attach impor.
lance to them that am induced 10 ask place in
Your paper for few remarks. 1t is known to my
fellow citizens in this part Of the country, that
have been the early and constant advocate of Gen.
Jackson and his administration and that contri-
buted my eXertiOns to elect his successor Bat
disappearing the course of the Van Buren, party
in many particulars, when Gen. Harrison was II
gain brought out in opposition to Mr.. Van Buren,,
| made UP my mind to support him. because
knew him to be honest and capable, and worthy
of the confidence of the people. As others have
been pleased to Use my name freely because de-
termned to act in this matter for myself and in
pursuance of high duty 10 my country, have
thought it proper thus publicly TO announce my
through your columns, to our old
Jackson friends, by whom desire TO be properly
understood.
In abandoning Mr.. Van Buren, and giving my
vote to General Harrison, let no man suppose that
l abandon my political opinions or my old pofiti
cal friends with whom CO operated in eocling
General Jackson to The high post which he filed
with so much credit 10 himself and honor to his
county. Those who adhere to the principles
which the friends of Jackson then professed will
find me stn with them. nm aware that u por-
ton of the Van Buren, party will bitterly condemn
my course and charge me with desertion OF my
principles--in the hope of persuading my old
friends that have changed. That is net true
My principles are the same;ihe principles which
brought Gen. Jackson into power They may,
perhaps, set me down rs Conservative. Well, be
it so. They are nj liberty to call me by this or any
other party name; but must have the privilege
of voting for whom j please. am resolved not
to be cotiared by party names. There is no ina
teral difference between the great bulk OF the two
parties, as to the manner in which they desire the
Government obe administered. The differences,
believe to be among the politicians ON both Sides
whose object is gather harvest Of fat things"
for themselves, and equally at the expense of the
people
1t is proud name enough for me, That can
to be known by no other. Twill acknowledge no
other. | am tired Of deception. Names are moth
ing Honesty Of purpose is every thing. there
tore support my old General and fellow soldier,
not as a party man, but because IknoU him-and
know him TO be brave man, true patriot and Il
capable statesman and, knowing him as i do,
bad ten thousand votes they should all be his in
preference TO Van Buren,. II it was necessary,
could so into detail in giving redsons for my, pref
erence for HARRISON: But expect to meet per =
a. sonally with most Of my old political friends and
associates anil will with great pleasure explain
verbally why am constrained 10 sustain General
Harrison. For the last year hive been dissais
fled with the course of measures. pursued 10y the
Administration, and considered the legislation OF
the Vim BHren party in the State Government as
peculiarly Objectionable. And much as have dis
liked the course OF the leaders ofihe Wing party,
/ have longed TO see and do bore to see Mr.. Van
Buren, leave the White House ON The Alb OF March
next TO many of my friends these feelings and
wishes are not new. Yet, so strongly have been
bound by the chains of party, that confess have
been wanting in nerve openly 10 proclaim my
opinions. / had even persuaded myself to slip
along until the election, in silence and inactivity.
sunless (which supposed would probably be the
fact sheuld be called on to he the Van Buren,
candidate for Congress, which would make it ne
cessary to declare my opinions freely and frankly.
But being appointed member of the Democrat
ic State Central CommAtee, found tfat neutrali-
ty was no longer possible. ], therefore, again re-
viewed the two political parties the extremes Of
both ahhorl and came to the conclusion that
ihere was, indeed, so little difference between the
honest men OF the two parties, as had served
Two campaigns under the old hero of Fort Meigs
and The Thames, would go on and serve sec.
opd under Van Buren,. la this conclusion soon
found J. had errod There We're differences,
found, between the Genital Committee aud my
SELF on subjects Of vital interest 10 the country,
which could hot be reeo6eed. When 1 again
reviewed the late Message of The President 10 Con.