The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-01-14
RETROSPECT,

No H.
RETROSPECT.
The means adopted by The .drisiocraiic Party
now calling themselves Whigs, 10 get possession
Of The Gorernment-theirs uccess-diasterS and
omens-death of the President-Me meeting
Of Congress.
1t was in 1881 and 1882, that the Bank Of the
United States commenced buying up editors and
politicians and contributing funds for eleclioneer-
ing purpose, policy which has kept the country
in agitation ever since, demoralizlng n vast num-
her Of individuals, and ended in its own des,ruc-
ton.
twas one of the boughi-up presses of the Bank
which fits, suggested the assumption OF the name
Whig to the foes Of Democracy, and from the
same quarter cane the prohgate doctrine ofaroii-
ability without regard to principle, in the selection
olcandida,s for office. From the Leader of n Fac
lion in PcNnsy lvana, when an attempt was maxi
ing 10 put down the chosen of the People and
usnrp the State Government BY force or arms came
the a,lrociCus injunction TO "throw conscience 10
the DeriU"
These principles of action were adopted by
majority Of the Wing Convention ut Harrisburg
which nominated General Harrison and Mr. Tyler
as candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presl-
dency, .fraiiaJHity, the acquisil ion of power by
amy means was the sole end considered. No poll
lica creed vas avowcd, principles were kept out
Of view, and " conscience thrown to the Deyil''
When their candidate for the Presidency was
quirv was answered by committee who said ii
had deem determined by his advisers " that The
General make no further declaration Of priaci-
pies fr Tie public eye mhiist occupying his pres
ent pOsSiStion."
When, afterwards, General Harrison travelled
through Ohio and made speeches to the people, he
acted on the same principle, declaring at Fort
Meigs that he die not think candidate for the
Presidency should give pledges, for, says he, if
we give pledges, the battle will not always be 10
the strong to the heart full Of feelings Of true pat
rotsm, but to the man who can tall tie most lies
and make The most pledges" And at Cleveland
he said, 81 deem 1t inconsistent with the genius OF
ouI institutions for candidates for Office 10 give
pledges to the public before election.
Neither their great conventions at Baltimore al
Columbus, at Richmond, or elsewhere, gave oui
any creed ofWhg faith or avowcd the objects they
intended 10 accomplish after driving the the Demo-
cratic party from power. Neilhhr the speeches Of
their members Of Congress and travelling orators,
loud and long rs they were, nor the addresses OF
their committees, when any were issued, threw any
light upon their ultimate designs. When II was
charged that their object WAS to establish n Ma
design to create National DEBT inry utnre'f lti
when charged with design TO increase the tnrl
they denied it, No specific object was avowed be-
yond driving the Democrats from power. They
were no, soft enough" as Mr. Webster said at
Richmond, TO discuss principles, because there
was 10 set Of principles in relation TO which the.
agreed among themselves.
Mr. Cha, well expressed the character ofle con
al. La, hnn hn rod /
So Far as the Wings were concerned. to a wdI
against pirates. With no declaration on thei
side, MI means, fair and foul, were resored to 70
the purpose of destroying the confidence of the PEG
pie in the integrity Of Mr. Van Buren, and his I'D
min!strnionl
The Wing members Of Congress constituted
,hemsel, yes into nm elecloneering body aud chos
n Central Executive Committee TO raise funds, ex
tend the circulation of Wing newspapers, and or
rnnize the Wing party throughout the country
With the funds raised they caused 10 be fabricated
nunherlcss false charges against the administrator
and had them printed by hundreds of thousand
aud circulated throughout the land. They did nc
scruple to use the public stationary and employ lh
hands paid by the public in enveoping and din
Getting Them preparatory to circulation. Not BEN
able 10 have all done they desired at The iOldln
room of the capitol, they got up II separate estal
lishmcnt in the City, which was also furnishe
with stationary from the public store, where ses
cral hands were employed in preparing then llbe
r,r the mails. They procured the Clerk OF tn
House to frank for them in violation OF the law
they violated the law in the use Their own franks
I they falsely endorsed their elecioneerlny tras
Public Documents, to gain free passage lhroug
the mails; and forged franks were used 10 exPedl
the business Of fraud and deceit. Members T,
manned here FOR weeks and months after the at
nnrnnen, of Congress, using the public hands an
stationary in the recess 10 carry on their election
: eerng operations.
They charged the administration with eS'ravi
CANT expenditures; with design TO create stan
ding army with admitting negro witnesses IN conr
martial; with deranging the currency; with red
cling the value Of property, produce and Iabor;wl
. bankrup,inC the Treasury; with creating debt
. for,y millions of dollars; with princely eAtrayagau
in the furniture Of tho Presidents House; with ia
u Grating md counienancing deiIulters;with unlyes
prescription for opinions sake, practising upon
doctrine that, 10 the yclors belong the spoils; wi
entertaining agrarian and infdel principles; wi
general pronigacy and corruption, want Of hone
" truth and honesty, and almost every other Ia
= dereliction and crime which could render them OF
Gus ms public agents and deieslb!e as men.
:, IN lieu of declaration Of principles and an a
:. peal to the reason Of the people. they built !
s. cabins Throughout, the cities and the country. soc
ID ed them with hard cider and harder brandy, fl
u nished them with gourds and stools, dcccrai
Of them with coonskins and old saddles, compos
d. dogorel songs to be sung by the wcrshipPers
the cider barrel. taught men TO get drunk 10 ma
s them good Wings. organized them into Clubs. I
is more eiectuay 10 secure their services and mon
Il; filed the land with drunken shouts, stied
voice Of Temperance and put sobricty out OF cou
lenance. Even the forms of religion were prcsi
ted in some places by anxious seats for con, erts
the political log cabins, the Most High was insult
ID bv making a mockery of his worship, and
r ~ Holy Sacrament was desecrated by initiating
no rites in breaking bread and pouring out hard clt
or TO political converts. To excite them the more,
20 people were brough, together in immense convt
>" lions, made To drink almost 10 ia,oSication, ID
81 listen to harrangues full Of asehood ,denunca'''
and violence.
: A large amount Of money wa, raised and put
10 the hands Of Committees in the large cities,
nd he used in buyng votes, and these COMMITTEES
~, o,.n,. ,htourhout the country, 10 hunt