Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-03-01
COUNCIL OF CENSORS.

COUNCIL OF CENSORS.
For two or three weeks past we have noticed II
remarkable unanimy on the subject of amending
the Constitution, exhibited by those of the locofo-
co editors who aspire to be leaders of that party
in this state. OF course some reason existed for
this. They, undoubtedly, would have us suppose,
that this is but a spontaneous and irrepressiblc
out-howing of their love to the dear peope--to
democracy; but when we remember that the part
OF the Constitution, which these gentlemen would
abolish, (reIative to the appointment Of judges of
the county court probate judges, sherffs and jus.
tees Of the peace,) was adopted by our fathers, at
time when true democracy ut least as well
understood and well practiced, as by these gen
temen at the present day; and when we recollect,
too that The people have not Of late expressed any
opinion upon the matter, nor even discussed it,
either in primary assemblies or through the news.
papers, it does strike us that we are not bound TO
suppose these gentlemen editors to be accidentally
acting in concert, and without any motiue other
Than desire TO see the alteration they propose
dopled. We have not so supposed; we knot0
there is loco moliue ct the bottom of all this. A
state convention was assembled here in October
last; and as it was supposed that neither state nor
county conventons-of either party-wond he
called for the sole purpose of nominating candi-
dates for the Council of Censors, it was deemed
Advisable at that time to nominate ticket. There
was then no desire expressed, aud indeed nothing
said pro or con, whether the ticket should be COM
posed of Wings, or of gentlemen of both parties
but ticket was nominated and being nominated
by state convention of Wings, and to be presen
ted to state which gives over $4,000 Wing ma
jority, very NATURAL TO say the least, that it
should be Wing ticket. Had there been prop
oson to that effect, we should have been ready,
as q member of that convention, to consent to a
mixed ticket; although probably the locofoco cd J.
itors would just as loudly complain at such tick
ct, nominated by Whigs, as they now do at the
present ticket AS it is, the ticket is Whig tick
et and this--lhis soiey-is the ground for the
complaint which has been heard in certain quar-
tiers. The Scorpion canhot withhold his sting
from Whig ticket; and the Patriot oh the i'm
maeulae democracy of that paper shoulders at
The very thought Of clecling thirteen Wings to
office in state which gives nniy between 1900
and $4,000 Wing majority Hence The opposition
10 that ticket; and hence, very small portion of
the people,-the Scorpion cl:que-have demanded
of the gentlemen composing that ticket IA part of
them we know, and all we suppose,) to pledge
themselves for the alteration alluded TO, under the
penalty OF mourning the indignation and wrath of
Scorpion q Co.. and the nomination of new
ticket, irrespective of party distinctions This
move reveals the motive: it is nothing more nor
less than to defeat the Wing ticket, if it will not
bow to the dicta,ion of the Scorpion clique and
to pave the way hereafter, for an attempt TO make
party capital out of this proposed alteration of
the Constitution. What answer the gentlemen
nominated will give, we pretend not to say, nor is
il our business to inquire: if any of them have
settled their opinions favorable to the alteration
suggested, or if they are entirely uncommitted
las we presume they generally are,) perhaps they
will crafty their nerrogators with an answer
but II they view the matter as mele party game
we doubt whether the clique will he any the wis
er for their trouble. As TO the proposed alteration
of the Constitution, we have formed no opinion
nor do we believe that question OF so much i'm
portance as change of Il rule which our fathers
instituted, and which has continued 10 this day
can be duly considered and decided by the people
previous to the last Wednesday in March. Hence
were there not in this move any motive of mere
party character, we would not consent TO it, A
council is nominated, untrammeled and unpledg
ed; they have no motive TO urge them t.
amy action contrary to the will and interests OF tn,
people; and we do not entertain the slightes
doubt that they will propose any amendmen,
whatever it may be, which any considerable por
iionof The people shall desire 1t is their duty Il
do SO, we spprehend, even though their own judg
ment may he against such amendment, if there i
reasonable ground for supposing that the popula
will demands it. 1t beng their duty, not to ador
amendments but to propose them for the consid
Grafton of the representatives Of the people il
convention, we hold that they should be liberal il
opening the way for the consideration of ever
thing which may prove Reform, and which ma
not clearly be seen to be against the interests an
wishes Of the great mass Of the People.
The nauat force Of Great Britain. AT this TINT
when conflict between John Bull aud Brolhe
Jonathan appears 10 be possible ere long, the ma