Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-01-18
POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY

The Washington Madisonian gives the subioin-
ed biography of some Of the leading members of
Mr. Van Buren's democratic party. The attempt
to cast odium on General Harrisons cabinet will
sgnally fail. The people who have achieved
triumph over the most corrupt administration that
ever dIsgraced my country, regard meaureS more
than men. In the language of the Madisonan, we
call on the locofocos to point to us single meas
ure advocated, or single sentence ever uttered
or written by Mr.. Webster that is anti American
in its character:
The Van Buren, federal press are carpng at Mr.
Webster, because it is rumored he is TO be Score
tary of State. And why3 Because, as they al
lege he voted against some of the measures nten-
ded to advance the war of 1872 Well now, sup
pose this allegation were true does it prove Mr.
Webster unpatriotic? or, if you will try by this
test does it prove him anti democratic? Are his
accusers for equal rights, and equa justice Then
let us see to what they lead us.
Mr.. Van Buren,, 1t is sald was privy TO an anti
war meeting, where resolution was passed with
his appreciation, opposing the enlistment of militia
in the public service; and 1t is well settled that he
intrigued against Mr.. Madison in .Ragrante belio.
Yet, in the estimation ofthese gentlemen, Mr.. Van
Buren, is patriot and democrat.
| Nathaniel Macon, we believe, voted habitually
against nearly every measure, and took pride in
doing so. Yet in the opinion of these same gen
tlemen, MIR. Macon was patriot, democrat, and
| is now almost saint.
sW. OUeS, OI va opposed Mr. MaQlSOnS war
measures with great strenuousness yet he was
elected Governor of Virginia by the jackson par
ty, and is now regarded by these Van BureniteS as
having been prominent disciple off the democrat
ic church.
Mr.. Buchanan, of Penn. made very energetic,
| 1t not immortal, Grafton against Democracy, Mad-
son, and the war, and yet Gen. Jackson honored
him with mission to Russia and he is now en-
throned on the affections of that kind of 'democ-
racy' represented by Mr.. Van Buren,.
| Mr.. I'dney was q conspicuous Federalist, and
yet Gen. Jackson made him Chief Justice of the
United States.
Mr.. Blocker signed, fhe did not write, the Con-
gressional protest against the war, and yet, mod
ern democracy honors him with mission to Hol-
| land.
| From Mr.. JeBerson was peshaps derived the
theory of qualification, and yet Fhen il was about
to be carried into practice, Gen. Jackson relied
very much upon Websters talents and patriotism
to avert its consequences.
! 1t is quite a remarkable phenomenon that the
same liberaty cannot in some degree be extended
to a citizen of Mr.. Webster's extraordinary genius
which has been so abundantly lavished Oh men
of less calibre, and greater political sins. Can
these exclusive patriots point us a solitary SEN
tence in all that Mr.. Webster has ever said or
written that is anti-American in its character?-
! Let them try.
! similar comment might be made upon the
consistency which men claiming patent right to
democracy exhibit, when they undertake fierce
denunciaous against NaIiona! Bank before any
one has proposed such an institution. The only
TWO hanks We have ever had were chartered by the
democracy and voted Tor Y susiainedby undOuht-
ed republicans who We're engaged in the aburs of
the convention which framed the Constitution.
We think it will not be deemed inappropriate,
says the editor of the N. Y. Times, if we here
quote one of the most distinguished writers that
marked the Revolution, OH the subject of preju-
| dice:
There is something he says, exceedingly GU
rious in the constitution and operation of prejudice.
Ii has the singular ability of accommodating itself
TO all the possible varieties of the human mind
Some passions and vices are but hinly scattered
among mankind, and find only here and there a
fitness OF reception. But prejudice, like the spi-
der, makes every where its home. Ii has neither
taste nor choice OF place, and all that it requires i
room. There is scarcely situation except fire
and water, in which spider will not live So let
the mind be as naked as the walls of an empty aud
forsaken tenement gloomy as dungeon, or orna-
mented with the richest abilities of thinking let
| il be hot, cold, dark, or light, lonely or inhabited
| still prejudice, If undisturbed, will ill il with cob
webs and live, like the spider, where there seems
nothing 10 live on.
IF The one prepares her food by poisoning il TO
her palate and use, the other does the same and
ms several of our passions strongly characteri-
sed by the animal world, prejudice may be denom-
mated the spide Ofihe mindH
President Van Buren, appears to be disposed to
occupy the last days of his administration in do
ing certain things, which he obviously intends
shall embarrass his successor. We alude TO APP
ponments to office, in cases where the public in
terests did not require them, and which there was
no necessity for making at the present time. We
have particular reference to cases where the COM
missions the persons now hold, will not expire UNI
Ill at the time, after the expiration ofhs admin
istraon. His object doubtless is, either TO force
the persons upon the new administration, or sub
iect Gen. Harrison to odium for removing them.
This is a shallow as well as a contemplate ar-
! flee and we shall be very much mistaken in our
ideas of Gen. Harrison's character, if lie has not
frmness enough to meet such trick as this WIN
out fiinchng from his duty. AS President van
Buren, processes to be an ardent admirer OF Mr..
Jefferson, we recommend to his consideration the
following remarks ofhis prototype 10 democracy.
u can say with truth, says Mr. Jefferson, that
one act Of Mr.. Adams life, and one ohiy ever gave
me moments personal dsPIeasure' 4 'd con-
slider his last appointments 10 office as personally I'M
Kind. They were from my most ardent political
enemies. from whom no faithful co operation could
ever be expected and laid me under the embarrass-
ment of aching through ichose viees acre 10 de-