Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-02-11
ANER~
Q&WlM.eWnD
FRIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY. II 1912.
HAT HAVE THE WINGS DONE

1t is amusing to hear Tories, who sup
ported Jackson and Van Buren, through all
the corruption, oppression and misrulc which
characterized their twelve years adminis,ra-
ton, ask the question, What hare the
Wigs done since they came into power?'
We know not how many times this inter-
rogatory has met our eye, as we have care
lessly glanced over the columns of the Tory
papers, during the last few months. We
propose to answer the question firstly asking
another which is the true Yankee way
What did the Tories accomplish during the
twelve years in which they ruled the country!
But as we do not consider our political oppo-
nents green enough to give a true and faith
ful answer to this question, we will UNDER
take it for them. And first we will notice
one or two pledges which they gave and the
manner in which they redeemed them. Our
readers will remember that the first thing
they promised to do was " to reform those
" abuses which had brought the patronage
=" Of the General Government into conflict
g with the freedom of elections" This
promise they redeemed by removing from
office all those who refused to interfere in
political matters, and filling their places with
those who would make that their main BUSH
ness This was the first reformation in the
abuses of the Federal Government which
these disinterested patriots achieved-and
they redeemed their other pledges in pretty
much the same manner. "Retrenchmeut"
was the next thing they promised, and they
fulfilled this promise by cutting down ex-
penditures from thirteen 10 THIRTY nine mill.
ions of dollars per annum. Then came their
"Judicious" Tariff. under the operation of
which the arm of domestic industry was pal
sled aud the mouth Of american Labor cried
for daily bread-for the country was flooded
with foreign manufactures and drained of its
specie. The next cry with which they de-
luded the people was the promise of " bet
ter currency" and when the people called
upon them to redeem this pledge they were
coolly assured that they Stocked TO the Goy-
ernmenment for too much" These were
some of the moro brilliant achievements Of
the Torres during tho twelve years in which
they administered tho Government. And
when, at length, disguised with their idle
promises and driven from ruin to despair,
the people grew FESTIVE and exhibited symp-
toms of rebellion, they were m~solently &C
cused of having been "bribcd by the banks"
Is not this a faithful narrative of the exploits
of the Tories during the dark years of their
despotic swayl We know we have not en-
umerated all, nor have we the disposition to
do SO at present. But we will ask in all So
berness what act Of American policy was
ever projected by Jackson or Van Buren,!
What great measure OF National relief dis
.isguished their administrations VIVA,
marks of craftsmanship did they leave behind
them 7 Where are the proofs of their patri-
otism and ability Did they do any thing
even to heal the wounds which they had
tlemselves. inflicted, or to restore the blight
ed prosperity Of their country Alas and
alas, siagnant channels Of industry, labor
unemployed, a crippled commerce, suspend
cd manufactures, deprecated prices, a bank
rupt Treasury and a piIlaged people were
tho only restigo they left us to mark the
progress of their principles or attest the TIT