The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-06-12


Mr. Van Buren, and are determined to support him
for reelection. lie has thus far administered the
Government upon the principles which he has
proiessed and praci ed through the whole course
of his life :-Upon the principles of the great
Democratic party of the Union which has eleva-
ted him, and hitherto sustained him, and which,
humbly trust, will carry him trunphantly through
the coming contest, in defence Of the predictions,
the clamors, and the eXerons, Oft opposition.
After the defence | have already made of
of the administration of Mr. Van Buren,, deem it
wholly unnecessary to notice the abuse so steadily
avished upon him, except as it regards charge,
about which will say few words. lie has been
accused Of having, at the commencement of the
last war with England, acted with the federal par
ty, or at least, of having opposed the war and
this story has been banded about the country, even
after having been repeatedly explained and dis
proved. With respect to the political course OF
MIR Van Buren, from his youth, am not under the
necessity ofdependng, for any thing in relation TO
it, upon hearsay evidence, nor secondhand infor-
nation, but am myself perfectly acquainted
| with it.
lie commenced both his professionl and poi,i-
cal career with the year 1904, and was present
at the first political meeting at which he took part
after having become of nge. That was a Repub-
lican meeting held in his native town (and mine
also) in the nonh of March of the year just men
toned, and there he made speech in favor ofap-
proving the nomination made by the Republican
members of the Legislature, of General Morgan
Lewis for Governor and against the pretcnsions
ofCol. Burr, who was brought forward by minor
ity of the Republicans, and supported by the
greater portion of the federalists. And from that
period he constantly in the party until he ar
al. L. .,f l..-l l.
been in his course that it may be safely averred
that no man who has figured on the political stage
in the United States has had less connexion with the
federal party than he has. Indeed, whenever there
was any division in the Republican party, he was
always sure to be with that portion of them a.
gaind which were the fedcralists. In the year
1906 removed to this State, but as uniformly
visited that part of the country every year, and
always continued TO feel particular interest in the
political concerns OF my native State, ! was ms
well acquainted with the course Of MIR Van Buren,,
after that period as before.
The nomination of De Wit Clinton as n candi-
date for President in 1912, was entirely republi-
can movement so far as it regarded the State of
New York and Mr. Van Buren,, on the prnci-
pies ofthe party in that State could not do other
wise than TO support the measure. But so far
from ever wavering with respect to the war, he
was one of the most decided and efficient support
crs from the beginning to the end of it. Mr. elm
ton, at the time ofhis nomination was, and had
been for several years, the most prominent Re-
publican IN the State, and had hut shortly before
declared in a legislative speech that the federal
party would "ratler reign in hell than to serve in
heaven" And from the moment it appeared that,
in consequence Of his defeat he began to lean
towards the federal party, MIR Van Buren, become
unc oIpn no
person, therefore, who has stated that he was n,
any time opposed to the war, has proceeded upon
incorrect information, or has given currency to
that which he knew to be uniounded. And who
are they, let me ask, that have brought forward
this charge against Mr. Van llurcn Of opposing the
war Why, the very men who were doing all in
their power at that time to enlbarass their own Gov
crnmcnt and, indirectly at least, to favor the enc
my, or those who are now united with them, and
have become, politically, "bone of their bone, and
flesh Of their flesh" Wond it not be well then,
if the obhorrence of such persons on account of
opposition to the war shauld begin its operation
nearer hOme'
The federal party have brought forward General
Harrison us their candidate and this is right G.
nough so far as his political principles are concern
ed since he was one Of the original iederallsts of
the John Adams school. But ms to the qua,ilica-
taken to promote his elevation, have something
to say
That General Harrison, Notwithstanding his fed
eralism, acted the part of palro, during the last
war with England, and did all that his capacity adj
mitted in favor of his country, until he resigned
his commission in the army, have seen no reason
to question. But to make n hero OF him or n great
general. is as impossible for man 10 create world
And il any doubts have at any time existed of
his want of the necessary qualifications 10 fill the
office Of President of the United States, | think
those doubts are now removed.
We have never before seen person supported
for that high office who surreaderM himself into
The hands ora committee, or mas taken in charge
byone. The candidates have always acted for
themselves, and answered for themselves, when
they were respectfully applied to, or addressed
And that General Harrison himself considered, at
former period, that they ought to do so, proved
by the following letter.
Cincinnati, Sept 10th, 1922
Sir-In your last letter YOU recommended tn
the candidate atr tile ensuing election, to publish
political crccds that the electors may have fair OPP
portuniiy of choosing those whose sentiments best
accord with their own. Ihar ercr beiiered that
erery elector has right to make this call upon
those rho offer their Serriccs 10 The people, AND
THAT TIE CANDIDATES ARE BOUND TO
ANSWER IT.
Yours, &c.
WM II. HARRISON.
Oswego Jan. 81, 1910.
To the Hon. WILLIAM II. HARRISON.
Dear Sir, In accordance with resolution of the
Union Association of Osweg9sl am instructed to
propose the questions to you u relation to subjects
that large portion of this section of the country
feel deep interest in. The first H.
Are you in favor of receiving and referring Pc
tiiions for the immediate abolition Of Slavery in
the District oifCoumbia.
Second-Areypu in favor Of a United States
Bank, or some institution similar to that for the
safe keeping and disbursng of the public monies,
and for giving a uniform currency throughout the
United States
And lasty-Would you favor the passage Of
General Bankrupt law by Congress, so that its OPP
eraons might be equal in all the States of the
Union.
have only to say, sir, that the above inquiries
are made in accordance with the unanimous wish
es this association, the members of which am
instructed TO say entertain the highest regard for
your past service and hope, should Won be elected