The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-07-26

government; and so undoubtedly it is. But
this is right only TO be exercised 10 grave
and extreme cases. prudence indeed
will dictate" saws that veneraied instru-
ment. "that Governments long established
should not be changed for light and trans
lent causes" "But when long train OF
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably
the same object, erinces design TO reduce
them under an absolute despot SIN. 1t is their
right, their duty, 10 throw off such Govern
ment."
Will i, be pretended that the actual gov
eminent Of Rhode Island is destructive TO
life. liberty or the pursuits Of happiness =
That it has perpetrated long train of abuse
and usurpahons. pursuing the same invari-
able object, TO reduce the people under ab-
solute despotisnl Or that any other cause
of complaint existed but such as might tie
peacefully remedied. without violence and
without bloodl Such as. in point fact,
the legitimate Government had regularly
summoned Convention TO redress, but for
the results of whose deliberations the rest
less spirit of dirurdcr and rebellion had no;
the patience to await Why, fellow Gill
z-ns, iulie Rhody (God bless and preserve
her is one of the most prosperous, enterPri
zng, and enlightened States in this whole
Union. No where is life, liberty, and prop
eriy more perfectly secure.
How is this right Of the People TO abolish
nm existing Government, and set up new
one to be practically exercised Our Rev.
nlu,ionar, ancestors did not tell US by words
bu, they proclaimed it by gallant and noble
deeds. Who are the People that are to tear
up the whole fabric of human society, when
ever and as often as caprice or passion may
prompt them? When all the arrangements
and ordinances Of existing and organized
society are prostrated and subverted, as
must be supposed in such lawless and IT.
regular movements as that in Rhode Island,
the established privileges and distinctions
between the sexes, between the coiors, be-
tween ths ages, between natives and for.
eigners, between the sane and insane, and
between the innocent and The guilty convict,
all the offspring of positive institutions, are
cast down and abolished, and society is
thrown into one heterogeneous and unregu.
lated mass. And is it commended that The
major part Of this Babel congregation is in
vested with the right TO build up al its plea
sure, NV Government That as often,
and whenever society can be drummed up
and thrown into such a shapeless mass, the
major part OF II may establish another and
another new Government in eniless success
sion! Why this would overturn all social
organization, make revolutions-the ex.
IRENE and last resort Of an oppressed peo-
ple-ihe commonest occurrences of human
life, and the standing order of the day.
How such principle would operate in
certain section ofthIs Union. with pccul.
iaf population. you will readily conceive.
No community could endure such an intol-
cradle State of thirgs any where, and all
would. sooner or later, take refuge from
such ceaseless agitation, in the calm repose
of absolute despotism.
| know of no mode by which an existing
Government can be overthrow and put a.
side, and new one erected in IFS place but
by the consent Of that Government, express
or implied, or by forcible resistance, that is
REVOLUTION.
Fellow Citizens: have enumerated these
examples of dangerous spirit Of Gisorgani-
z1tion, and disregard of law. with no pur.
pose oil giving offence, or exciting bitter and
unkind feelings, here or elsewhere; but TO
illustrate the principles, character and ten
dency of the two great parties into which
this country is divided. In all of these ex-
amPl's, the Democratic party. rs ii call it.
self. Ia denomination to which respectfully
think it aas not the east just pretension,) or
large portions Of that plrty, extending TO
whole States. united with apparent cordiali-
ty. To all of them the Wing party was
constantly aud firmly opposed. And now
lei me ask you, in all csudor and sincerity,
TO say truly and imparially TO which of
these two parties can the interests, the hap.
piness. and the deslinies Of this great peo
pie be most safely confidedl appeal espe
cially. and with perfect confidence, to the
candor oft real, the ancient and long tried
Democracy-the old Republican party. with
whom stood side BY side, during some OF
the darkest days of the Republic, in seasons
of both War Ind Peace.
Fellow citizens of all parties, The pre-.
sent situation Of our country is one of un-
exampled distress and difficulty; but there
is no occasion for any dependency. A
kind and bouniiful Providence has never
deserted us-punished US he, perhaps, has
for our neglect ofhis blessings, and our mis-
deeds. We have varied and fertile soil.
genial climate and free institutions. Our
whole land is covered, in profusion, with
the means of subsistence and the comforts Of
life. Our gallant Ship. it is unfortunately
true. lies helpless. tossed on iempestuous
sea, amidst the conflicting pillows of con-
fencing parties. without ruddcr and with
out faithful pilot. But that Ship is our
country, embodyihg all our past glory, all
oar future hopes. lis crew is our whole
people, by whatever political denomination
they are known. lfshc goes down, we all
60 down together. Let us remember The
dying words of the gallant and lamenred
Lawrence. "Don't give up the Ship
The glorious banner of our country. with its
Stars and Stripes, still proudly floats at its
masthead With stout hearts and strong