The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-01-17
TO THE FREENIEN OF THE LATETFTH CON
GRESSIONAE DISTRICT OF VERMONT.

TO THE FREENiEN OF THE LATE FIFTH CON
GRESSIONAE DISTRICT OF VERMONT.
FELLOW CIrIzENs;--As the incumbent olan
office is always considered us desiring TO be elected
once more unless he publicly declines, and as have
now arrived at uge that requires reposc, and yet
not so old as to be insensible of my inirmtes
deem this a suitable time to make known to you, who
constitute The Fourth Congressional District, that
shall not be candidate at your next election Pub
lie men are ant to talk of themselves, wherefore
proceed Allow me to remind you that four timcs,at
different periods within the last quarter of century,
you have chosen me, and three times have been cleo
ted your representative in Congress. Once your
voice was overrulcd by those who were then compar
atiyely strangers TO me. This was soon after the
census of 1920 when, Vermont having lost mem
Der by the apportionment, the election was
by general ticket These repeated marks Of respect
and attachment, manifested whenever my friends
have presented mo rs n candidate for your suirages
have given me feelings of the deepest gratitude; for
what can be moro gratifying than the continued sup
port of constituents US enlightened any others and
Of patriotism as pure az the mountain air they
breathe.
Please now, gentlemen, accept my warmest thanks
for never falling dvors that you, and your predeccs
sors, have shown mo at the polls have been moth
ing more than your attentive representative. During
the six entire sessions which have attended, and
the portion thus Far Of the present session, kind
Providence has given me such measure Of health,
that have not been absent from my seat in the
House of Representatives n single day, any ma
tcrial part of day. This, together with the uciden
tai duties of my station and given in all cases
IL.
substance Of the servicesI have rendered you. I
wish could have served you better. have never
made Il speech in Congress 1t is known to you all
that my life has been chiefly devoted TO my profess
sion aud many Of you that in early life had no
taste Cor politics. and Of course had more than
common place knowledge Of public affairs such "a
every man who loves his country should acquire ;and
knew that had not a sufficient fund Of informa-
ton, nor Il Kramer attractive enough enlghtcn or
interest the respectable body Of which was n mem.
Der. And TO speeches made For BuHhHm, as those
are called that spoken not to he heard. but 10 be
sent home and printed in the District papers, their
delivery is always distressing to all concerned. BE
sides, when came into congress there were, and
there have always been, many able and eloquent de-
baters but the demand for good listeners great,
and the supply small, and being ambitious Of distnc
ton, and having the vanity TO believe myseftoerably
well qualified for this arm Of public service, con-
cluded join the small but silent corps of hearers
and took my seat accordingly among the silent and
thinking members, in that part oc the Hall since call
ed ''Sleepy Hollow
Although it may not be appropriate, yet you will
permit me- in taking this my fnal leave, (for some
of you well remember that this is not the first time
that hpyc declined being candidate to also thank
you for the very liberal share of patronage which YOU
and your ancestors have given me in my profession
for the somewhat protactcd period of fortysx years.
since among you stripping lawyer aged TWEEN
ty years.
Finally, may the awise being, who controls the
destiny of nations protect and perpetuate free in
stutons: and may the God of Heaven hasten the
time when Slavery sla exist only in tho Internal re
gions where it originated, and where it is inflicted
for crime and not nor color.
John MATTOCKS