Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-03-15

pubic being changed into an arlst0cracy The
tendency Of all such Governments in their decline
is to monarchy; and the antagonist principle to
liberty there is the spirit of faction; spirit which
assumes the character, and, in times Of great ex-
citement imposes itself upon the People as the
genuine spirit of freedom and like the false Chrfsts
whose coming was foretold by the Saviour seeks
to, and were it possible would impose upon the
true and most faithful disciples of liberty.
1t is in periods like this that it behoves the peo-
pie to be most watchfu of those to whom they have
intrusted power. And although there is at times
much difficulty in distinguishing the false from the
true spirit calm and dispassionate investigation
will detect the counterfeit well by the character
OF It's operations the results that produced.
The true spirit of liberty, although devoted, perse-
vering, bold, and uncompromising in principle that
secured is mild and tolerant, and scrupulous as to
the means 1t employs; whilst the spirit of party,
assuming to be that of liberty, is harsh vndictive,
and intoerant, and totally reckless to the char
acter of the allies which it brings to the aid of its
course.-When the genuine spirit Of liberty ami
mates the body of people to a thorough examine
ton of their affairs it leads TO the excelsior OF every
excrescence which may have fastened itself upon
any of the Departments of the Government, and re-
store the system to its pristine health and beauty
But the reign of an intoerant spirit of party
mongsr free people, seldom fails to result in
dangerous accession to the Executive power intro
duced and established amidst unusual professions
Of devotion to democracy. q,
Phe foregoing remarks relate almost exclusively
to matters connected with our domestic concerns.
1t may be proper, however, that should give some
indications to my fellow-citizens of my proposed
course of conduct in the management of our for
eign relations. assure them, therefore, that it is
my intention to use every means in my power 10
preserve the friendly intercourse which now so hap
PLY subsists with every foreign nation and that,
although, of course, not well informed to the
state of any pending negotiations with any of them,
see IN the personal Characters of the Soyerelgns,
as well as in the mutual interests of our own and.
4 of the Governments with which our relations are
most intimate, pleasing guaranty that the harmo-'
ny important to the interests OF their SUBJECTS
well citizens will not be interrupted by the
advancement of any claim, pTetension upon their
part, to which our honor would not permit us to
Yield Long the defender of my country's rights
in the field, trust that my fellow citizens will not"
see, in my earnest desire to preserve peace with
foreign Powers any indication that their rights will
ever be sacrificed, or the honor of the nation tar
nshed, by any admission the part OF their Chief
Magistrate unworthy of their former glory.
II In intercourse with aboriginal neighbors
the same liberality and Justice which marked the
course prescribed to me by two ofmy illustrous
predecessors, when acting under their directions III
the discharge of the duties of superintendent and
commissioner shall be strictly observed. | can
conceive of no more sublime spectacle-none more
likely to propitiate impartial and common Crea-
tor-then rigid adherence to the principles Of
Justice the part of powerful nation in its trans
whom circumstances have placed at its disposal.
Before concluding, fellow-citizens, l must say
something you on the subject of the parties at
this time existing incur country. To me appears
perfectly clear that the interest of that coupry
f quires that the violence of the spirit by which those
parties are at this time governed, must be greatly
mitigated, if not entirely eXtinguished,
> quences viii ensue which appalling to be tho't
Of.
f IF parties in a Republic are necessary to secure
t degree of vigilance sufficient to keep the public
$ fnctonares within the bounds of law and duty, at
that point their usefulness ends. Beyond that they
become destructive OF public virtue, the parents of
spirit antagonist to that of liberty, and eventually,
+ its inevitable conqueror. We have examples of re-
d publics, where the love Of country and of liberty
at one time the dominant passions of the whole
C mass of citizens. And yet, with the continuance
If of the name and forms of free government, not
+ vestige of these qualities remained in the bosom Of
u any one OF its citizens. 1t the beautiful
IS mark of distinguished English writer, that in the
o Roman Senate Octavius had party, and Anthony
|. party, but the Commonwealth had nome" Yet the
II Senate continued TO meet in the Temple of Iiber-
Il ty and to talk of the sacredness and beauty OF the
e Commonwealth and gaze at the statues of the ell
der Brutus and Of the Curt and Decii.
l. And the people assembled in the forum, not as
in the days of Camillus and the Scipos TO cast their
= free votes for annual magistrates, pass upon the
,r acts of the Senate but to receive from the hands
of the leaders Of the respective parties their share
1t of the spoils, and to shout for the other
II those collected in Gaul, Egypt and the Lesser
or Asia, would furnish the larger dividend, The spr
10 it OF liberty had fled, and avoiding the abodes of
al civilized man, had sought protection in the wilds of
y Scythia Scandinavia; and so, under the opera
il ton of the causes and Influences it will fly
I'd from can Capitol and our forums
of A calamity SO awful, not only to country,
lit but to the world, must be deprecated by every pat
n riot; and every tendency to that state OF things
ar likely to produce it, Immediately checked. Such
sc tendency has existed-does exist Always the
e. friend of my countrymen, never their atterer, it
n becomes my duty to say to them from this high
place to which their Partially has exalted me, that
" there exists in the land spirit hostile to their best
IS interess-hoste to liberty itself. 1t is spirit
re contracted in its views selfish in its object 1t
IS looks to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of few, even to the
4 destruction Of the interests Of the whole. The
h tire remedy is with the people. Something, how
r ever may be effected by the which they have
s. placed in my hands.
T. 1t is union that we want not party for the sake
lie of that party but union of the whole country for
re the sake of the whole country-for the defence of
i its interests and its honor against foreign agrees
Of sion for the defence of those principles for which
Of our ancestors gloriously contended. As far as
ii it depends upon me, it shall be accomplished. All
the influence possess shall be exerted to prevent
he the formation at least Of an Executive party In the
v halls N the Legislative body wish Tor the sup
/ mort of no member Of that body to any of
D. mine that does not satisfy his Judgment and his
il sense of duty those from whom he holds his APP
of pointment; nor any Confderce in advance from
g the people, but that asked for by Mr. Jefferson, "o
give irmness and effect to the legal administration
4. Of their affairs"
f deem the present occasion sufficiently import
l. ant and solemn to justify in expressing to my
is ellow-citizens profound reverence for the Chris
If tan Religion, and thorough conviction that sound
s. morals religious liberty, and just sense of reli-
gious responsibility are essentially connected with
to all true and lasting happiness and TO that good Be-
ing who has blessed us with the gifts of civil and
l. religious freedom who watched over and prospered
the abors of our Fathers and has hitherto preserv-
Of ed 10 us institutions far exceeding in excellence
lie those of any other people, let us unite in fervently
of