Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-08-25


cendenis OF the companions of my youth
wherever we roam, IN whatever climate or
land we are cas-, by the accidents of human
life, beyond the mountains or beyond the o.
cean, in the legislative halls of the Capitol, or
IN the retreats and shades of private life, our
hearts tnin with an irresistible instinct TO the
cherished spot which ushered us into exis-
tonce. And we dwell with delightful asso-
Citations on the recollection of the streams in
which, during our boyish days, we bathed, the
fountains at which we drunk, the pincy fields
the hills and the valleys where we spor,ed
and the friends who shared these enjoyments
with us.-Alas' too many of these friends of
mine have gone whittier we must all shortly
90, and the presence here of the small rem.
nant left behind a,,ests both our loss and our
early attachment l-would greatly prefer, my
friends. 30 employ NSc time which this visit
affords in friendly and familiar conversation
on the virtues ofour departed companions, and
onthe scenes and adventures Of our younger
days; but the expectation which prevails the
awful state of our beloved country, and the
opportunities which have enjoyed in its pub
lie councils, impose on me the obligations of
touching on topics less congenial with the
feelings of my heart, but possessing higher
public interest. | assure you, fellow citizens,
however, that present myself before you for
no purpose ofexci,ing prejudices, or inilaming
passions, but TO speak to you in all soberness
and truth, and TO testify TO the things which
know, or the convictions which entertain, as
an ancient friend, who has lived long, and
whose career is rapidly drawing to a close.
Throughout an arduous life, have endcavor.
ed to make truth and the good of our country
the guides of my public conduct; but in Han
over county, for which | cherish sentiments of
respect, gratitude, and veneration, above all
other places, would avoid saying any thing
that did not sincerely and truly believe.
Why is the plough deserted, the tools Of the
mechanic laid aside, and all are seen rushing
to gatherings Of the Peope' What occasions
those vast assemblages which we behold
in every State and il almost every neigh
borhood Why thosc conventions ofthe Peo-
pie, at common centre from all the extremi-
ties Of this vast Union, to consult together up
on the suficrings of the community, and to
deliberate upon the means of deliverancc!
Whythis rabid appetite for public discussions
What is the solution of the phenomenon, which
we observe of great nation agitated upon
its whole surface, and at its lowest depths,
like the ocean in the midst of some terrible
STORM There must be cause, and no ord-
nary cause.
ii has been truly said. that tho most memo
rablc document that ever issued from the pen
of men, that "all experience hath shown that
mankind are more disposed 10 suffer, while c.
Wis are sufierabe than TO right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are ac-
customed.' The recent history of our Pco-
pie furnis hes confirmation OF that truth. They
are active, enterprisiBg and intelligent, but
are not prone to make groundless complaints
again ST public servants. IL we now every
where behold them IN motion, il is because
they fee tHlt the grievances under whic n they
| are wnihmg can be no longer tolerated. They
iocl the absolute necessity of a change, that no
change eau render their condition worse, and
llai any change must better it. This is the
Judgment 10 which they have come, this is the
BRIEF aud compendious logic which we daily
hear. They know that, in all the dispense
tion OF Providence, they have reasons TO be
thankful and grateful; and if they had not
they would be borne with fortitude and iesig-
nation. But there is a prevailing conviction
and persuasion that, in the administration OF
Government, there has been something wrong
Radically wrong, and that the vessel of State
has been in the hands of selfish faithless, and
unskiltul pilots, who have conducted IT amids,
the breakers.
In my deliberate opinion, the present dis
tressed and distracted state of the country
may be traced TO the single cause of the ac-
ton, the encroachments, and the usurpatious,
of the Executive branch of the Government.
| have not time here TO exhibit and 10 dwell
upon all the instances Of these, as they have
occurred, in succession during the last twelve
years. They have been again and again ex-
posed on other moro fiji occasions. But have
thought this proper opportunity 10 point out
the enormiiy of the pretensions, principles and
practices OF that department, as they have
been from time 10 time, disclosed, IN these late
years, and 10 show the rapid progress which
has been made in the fulhlment of the remar-
kable language Of our illusirious countryman,
that the Federal Executive had an awful
squirting towards monarchy. Here, in the
country of his birth, surrounded by sons. some
OF whose sires with him were the first 10 raise
their arms in defence of American liberty a.
gainst foreign monarch, is an appropriate
place 10 expose the impending danger of Gre
ailng domestic monarch. And may not,
without presumption, indulge the hope that
the warning voice of another, although far
humber son OF Hanover may not pass I'M
heeded
But the annunciation Of this new and ex-
iraordiuary principle was not Of itself sufii-
cient for thu purpose of President Jackson, it
was essential that the subsection TO his will,
which was its object, should be secured by
some adequate sanction. That he sought TO
effect by an extension OF another principle,
tia, OF dismission from office, beyond all pre-
cedaHi, and to cases and under circumstances
which would have just grounds Ofhis impeach-
ment, according 10 the solemn opinion of Mr.
Madison aud other members OF the frat Con-
gress under The present Constitution.
Now, # the whole official corps, subordin.
~ IL r 80.