Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-09-28

spared. 1t lives by shifts and contrivances by
shallow articles and deusive names, by what 10
called faces," and the exchange of Treas.
ury notes for species" while in truth it has been
fast contracting public debt in the midst of all
its boastlng, without daring to lay the plain and
naked truth of the case before the people.
We protest against the conduct OF the House
of Representatives in the case of the New Jer.
sey election. This is not n local, but general
question. In the Union Of the States on wha,ev.
er link the blow of injustice usurpstion falls,
is is fell, and ought to be felt, through the whole
chain. The cause OF New Jersey is the cause
OF every State, and every State is therefore bound
10 vndcate il.
That the regular commission, or certificate of
return, signed by the chief magistrate Of the
Stme, according to the provisions of law, entities
those who produce ii TO lie sworn in as members
of Congress- to vote in the organization of the
House, aud hold their seats until their right be
disturbed by regular petition and proof, is n prop
osliion of constitutional law, ofsuch universal ex
ten, and universal acknowledgement, that
II cannot be strengthened by argument, or by a
nnlogy. There is nothing clearer, aGd nothing
better settled. No legislative body could ever he
organized without the adoption of this principle
Yet, in The case of The New Jersey members it
was entirely dsregarded. Aud it il of awful por.
teni thai on such question, question in its ia
ture strictly judicial, The dominant party should
lead men thus fagrantly TO violate the first prin.
clplrs. Ii is the first step that COSTS After this
open disregard Of the elementary rules of law
AMI justice, it would create no surprise, that pen.
ling Tie labors ola Committee especially appoin-
lea 10 ascertain vino were duly elected, set Of
men calling themselves Representatives Of the
people OF New Jersey, who had no certificates
from the Chief Magistrate OF the Stale, or accord
ing TO the laws of the state, were voted into their
seals, under silence imposed by the previous ques-
non, aud afterwards gave their votes for the pas
sage OF the Sub-Treasury law. We call most
solemniy upon all who, with us, believe that these
proceedings alike invade the rights of the States
and dishonor the cause of popular government
and free institutions, to supply sufficient and de
cisive remedy, by the unspairing application of
the elective franchise.
| we protest against the plan Of the .dministra.
ton respecting the training aud disciplining of
the militia. The President now admits il 10 be
unconstitutional, and it is plainly on the face OF
It, tor the training OF the militia is by the Consi.
tuition expressly reserved TO the States. If it were
not unconstitutional, it would yet be unnecessary
burdensome, entaIliDg enormous expense, and
placing dangerous powers in Executive hands. II
belongs TO The prolific family of Executive pro
Ilecs, and II Is n consolation to find that at eas,
one OF It's projects has been scorched by public
rebuke aud reprobaion, that no man raises his
band, OF opens his mouth ia its favor.
1t was during the progress Of the late Admin
isir"iloi, and under the well known auspices OF
Tie present Chief Magistrate, that the declaration
was made IN The Senate, that in regard to public
once, tDe spoll of victory belonged to the con-
querers; mus boldly proclamDg, AS the creed of
me party, that political contests are riglHfnlly
struggles tor office and emolument. We protest
against doctrines which thus regard offices as
created Tor The sake of incunhens, and stimulate
The basest passions 10 The pursuit of high public
trust.
we protest against the repeated instances of
dlsreSardIng judicial decisions, by officers of Gov
ernment, AMI others enjoying its cOuntenance ;
thus setting up executive Interpretation over the
solemn adJndicailOns of courts and luyies; and
showing marked disrespect for the usua and con-
s'iiuIlonul interpretation aud execution of tue
laws.
ms nSgopeTnHeat and administration
"ohd have been tie more toleabe, il they had
not Deen committed, IN most instances, in direct
contradiction 10 the warmest professions, aud the
most solemn assurances. Promises of bette
currency, for example, have ended in the destruc-
tioh OF al! national and uniform currency assur-
ahces OF Tie srlctest economy have been but pre-
iudes to the most wasieful excess even The Flor
'da war has been conducted under loud pretences
OF severe frngality; and the most open, unbl,ish
ing ana notorious interference with Slate cleo
tons, has been systematically practised by the paid
agents OF an administrations, which in the full
freshness ot its oath OF Office, declared that one
OF Ills lending objects should be TO accomplish that
task Of reform, ,0hieh particularly required The cor
rtcti'n Of those abuses, ichich brought the patronage
lg he federal government inio conflict reh the free
dom Of elections.
In the teeth ef this solemn assuranre il hns
been proved that the United States officers have
been assessed, in Sums hearing proportion to the
whole amount they receive from the treasury for
the purpose OF supporting their parlnans even in
State and municipal elections. Whatever, III
short has been most protested, has been least prac
tfsed and ii seems to have been taken for. grant
ed that the American people weulI be satisfied
with pretence, and full toned assurance of patri-
otto purpose. The history OF the last twelve
years has been but the history of broken promis
es and disappointed hopes. Al every successive
period OF this history enchanting rose coloFed
futiirty has been spread out before the people, es
pcclal IN regard 10 tile great concerns of reven
ne, finance md currency. But these eoiors have
faded rs tho object has been approached. Pros
poets OF abund0nt revenue have resulted in the
necessity OF borrowing the brilliant hopes of II
better currency ended in general derangment,slag-
nation and distress and while the whole country
is reused 10 an unprecedented excitement nv the
times every state paper from the Cabinet at Wash
ngi N comes forth irangllt with congratulations
on that happy state ofthings, which the wise pol
icy "i the administration is aledged TO have
brought about Judged by the tone Of these pa
pers, every present movement Of the people Is
qulte unreasonable and all attempts nj cliange,
only many ungrneiu returns for the wise aud
successful administration of public affairs
There is yea another subject OF ompaint to
which we feel bound to advert. 10y our venerulion
,or be MASH ious dead by our respect for truth,
by our love for the honor Of orr country, and by
our own wounded pride as American citizens
We feel HAT the country has been dishonored,
and we desire TO free ourselves from all iml alta
t'on ct aequieseence IN The parrleida act. The
late President, IN n communication 10 Congress,
more than mtnates, that some of The earliest and
most important measures Of WnslImglon's admin
israiion were ,he offspring of personal motives
and private interests. Ills successor has repeated
aud extended this accusation, aud given to il, We
are compelled 10 say, great degree of offensive
ness aud grossness M man with an American
heat in his bosom, cnn endure this without feel
ing the deepest humiliation rs well as The utmost