Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-09-15
MIR. VAN BUREN, AND THE SEDI.
TON LAW

The letter OF Mr.. Van Buren,, which had
free circulation through the State of Kentucky
Just before his election, contains the following
paragraph
"Since your letter has been laying before
me waiting for reply, it has been nv agree
able duty TO confirm the fiat of the nation sett.
ling forever the unconstitutionality of the Sc
dltion laws OF 1898, by approving an act for
the relief OF the heirs of Matthew Lyon, re-
funding to them fine collected of their an
cestors, under the law in question. Party
prejudice, judicial authority, dread Of the pre-
cedent, respect for that which has assumed
the form OF law for forty years, have success
fully resisted this act of justice; but at length
all are swept away by the Eresiss!i5le spriaa,
been irrevcrsibly decided to be unconstitution-
al by tribunal higher than the courts OF
justice-the sovereign people of the United
States
So much for the heirs of Matthew Lyon,
for whose relief mr.. Van Buren, signed a bill
passed by Congress. lie would have it in
ferred from this flourish that he not only alb
hors the "Sedition Law" but that he sympa-
thizes withihose who suffered its harsh penal
ties. But is this true Let facts speak for
themselves.
CHARLES HoLT, like MATTHEW Lyon, was
a victim TO the Sedtion law. mr. Hour, as
the Editor Of Republican paper in the State
of Connecticut, was fined and imprisoned I'M
der the Sedition Law He however fought
| his way through as a JEFfERsoNIAN who I'M
| hichngly INDICATED the Freedom of Speech
| He was, ultimately driven by Federal perse-
cuton out of the State of Connecticut. But
devoted to Democratic principles, he estab-
lshed Paper at Hudson, then the Gibralter
of Federalism in the State of New York
There he was opposed by HENRY CRoswELL,
the Editor of a Federal paper, and assailed by
JAMES POWERS and JAMES VANpERPoEL, then
violent Federalsts, but now Van Buren, Dem
| ocrats
| From Hudson mr.. Holt moved to New
York, where, from 1909 TO 1914, he published
"1he Columbian" a staunch Republican paper
devoted TO the support Of MADISON, ToMPKISs,
and the WAR.
SIN the course of human events" mr. HoLT
grew old and poor. lie had preserved through
life, however, his independence and his integ-
rity. His character was above reproach.--
Several years ago he received, as a small bu-
Justly merited reward for long political service
| a place in the Custom-House Though hold.
ing trust under the Government, tho old
Veteran took the liberty Of speaking as he
thought of the measures ofthe Administration
| He regarded the Sub-TTeasury Scheme as
hostile TO the interests of the People and as
dangerous TO the Liberties of the Country, as
the Alien and Sediiion Laws to which he was
opposed in '95. This was denounced as irea
son,-And for this offence-ihe offence 0
speaking a Freeman's thoughts.-CHARLEl
Hour, the Veteran Democratic Editor OF '9t
who suffered under the Sediiion Law, hal
been TURNED OUT OF THE CUSTOM
HOUSE BY MARTIN VAN buren,
| Tins mr. HarFr txho has fOr fffv wars bepi
straight forward and steady in his support 0
the true Democratic principles Of the Consti
tuition, is alike obnoxious 30 the Elder ADAM
and TO the Elder VAN BURES. For opposing
the Sediiion Law in 1898 he was prosecuted
For opposing the Sub-Treasury Scheme in
1910 he was prescribed. Can we have bette
evidence thai the Van Burenism Of 1910 har
monies with the Federalism Of 1895
Log CABIN Adrooafe.