The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-03-10
FRANKLIN COUNTY HARRISONlAN
CONVENTION

ALLEN lao minister to Chill, on taking the Chair
as President Of the Convention. Mr.. Allen address
sed tho Convention follows:
The solemn OCCASION Of this meeting, fellow c;ti
zens, is one of no ordinary character. We are not
assembled on this day, to celebrate any joyous era
in The history of the Republic; but 10 mourn over
the abuses Of It's government, 10 concert measures
to reform, and if possible, to bring it back, to its
original purity.
1t is for this purpose, fellow citizens, that have
been induced, to leave retirement in which, l
had long since ceased to mngc in political strife,
and to unite, my humble efforts with ours, in the
attainment of so great, and so just design.
We complain fellow citizens, that system Of
misry,ie, commencing with the administration of
General JacksOn, and followed up by his successor,
has unfortunately broug ht our beloved county, 10
the very verge of ruin. On this fearful precipice
we now stand, and it may be the last time for u.s.
and the people of this Union to determine, which
we prefer, liberty, or, Londagc
In the palmy days Of the Republic, under the
mild rule of a WAsHrNGTox, JEFFERSON, MAD
IsoN, MUNRoE, and the ADAMsEs, our beloved
country respected both at home and abroad );
and we enjoyed throughout state Of unexampIed
prosperity. But, with the reign of General Jack
son, what a sad blight has come over us Instead
of that certain protection, which the constitution
and laws afford us, those sacred safeguards have
been Frustrated, at the feet of tyrant: instead of
that order and moral influence, necessary 10 the
well being of all good government, those consecra-
ted principles have been uprooted and upturncd !;
a general tendency TO INSTRUMENTATION has ensued,
and the very elements of society, have been nearly
dissolved lastead of u safe and sound currency
that in every part of our widely extended territory
in Europe. in China, and South .4merica, was e.
quivalent 10 specie, we have nothing left, but a
confused deprccatiOn Our country is literally blce
ding at every pore; of business are Frustrated
to the earth, and all seem involved in one general
ruin.
And, who, fellow citizens have been the
miserable authors and abettors Of this sad reyul-
sion of affairs Mistake not, | entreat you, the
cause. Uutil the assaults OF General Jackson and
Mr. Van Buren upon monied institutions, did
they not all fulfil their appropriate duties? Truth
responds, undeniabe affirmative. Where then
shall we look for the cause of our snfferings but
in the relentless war, that for the last ten years.
has been to successfully wuged upon our system Of
credit system which has alone, enabled
enterprise to compete with capital, and rear.
ed the superstructure Of all our many and extend
ed improvements. Vain and Intellectual then,
would it be, fellow citizens, TO seek cySohcrc the
source of those evils.
These successive administrations have up to this
day, held the potOsr, the majority in their own
hands. They, theriore, are alone responsible for
the results.
And, are to be told, fellow citizens that
the very system that has been handed down 10 US,
by our best and wisest Statesmen, and thus born
us, on the wings of prosperity is the cause of these
mischiefs? Is our common sense, TO be thus ri.
fed with, thus insnl,ed and imposed upons Away,
with such paltry nonsense. Proclaim il TO office
holders, to office seekers and sycophants, but tell
not to men, who know and respect their rights
The defendants of the Green Mounta.n Boys,
trust at least, will look beyond the confines Of such
narrow limits, for solution Of the question.
And what, fellow citizens, is offered as u
remedy Of these evisf Must repeat the disgust
ing words? An odIous Sub. Treasury! "A scheme,
that in contempt of all former legislation places
the whole monied interests of the country in the
power of the executive and irresponsible agents,
and thus unite the purse and the S,nord scheme
that has already cost the government, not sintu
thousand dollars, as stated in the last Presidential
Message, but one million dollars, shown by au-
thentic documents, besides the New York defaca.
tons, of nearly t,oo millions more Nay, scheme
that has already reduced your property fellow cit
liens, to nominal! value.
Upon this thrice rejected scheme, the Tan Bure,
dynasty, processing to obey tie popular aoiH, has
staked its all and returned to the charge arain,
press upon with zeal, becoming a better
cause 1t has already passed the ordeal Of the Sen.
ate, and unless it is arrested in the House, ,oeN may
we exclaim, 'the days of tho Republic are number
ed
Was it for this, Fellow citizens, that our ancestors
so nobly fought and bIed' Nay, was it for this,
that ace their decendants have thus far struggled to
maintain, the rich inheritance of their tolls?
But, enough of this revolving spectacle With
Joy and accamation, let turn fellow citizens, 10
brighter day, that already dawns in the Vest.
Yes, fellow citizens, The Camp6eHs are coming
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the redeem.
ing spirit of our land-who has adorned the Cub
irrational Chair. your halls of legislation your for
egn diplomacy, and fought successfully your bat
tI-n Il. r.a..- l.