The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-30
PEOPLES PRESS.
Middlebury, Aug. 80, ls4S.
Third Party-Letter
from Gen. Mattocks.

Gen. Maitocks having been Intercepted
BIZ the Voice of Freedom on sundry topics,
has given a very frank, explicit, and
honest answer. Il is in keeping with his
character as fearless defender of what he
believes to be right; and however men may
differ with him on some points, we are sure
there can be none who will not respect him
for his manliness. His views concu, very
nearly with our own. We hold, as We have
before said, that the Wings of Vermont
should prefer above oil others the candidate
for the Presidency who comes nearest to
their political standard and in default of
getting the very best, if il comes TO that,
they ought surely TO take the next best
Any other course is utterly suicidal to any
party, and as Gen. M. suggests, the Free
snaa who persues any other course fails 10
act up 10 the spirit of his oath. Instead of
doing the best he can for the interests OF the
country and the stale, he practically does
the worst. To illustrate this let Mr.. Van
Buren, or Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Clay be the
candidates for the next Presidency, between
whom the election will lie. Let US suppose
tha, neither is the preference of the freemen
of this state above al others, yet the elect
ion Of Mr., Clay is far 10 be preferred 10 thai
of Mr.. Van Buren, or Mr.. Calhoun, as
Mr.. Clay goes for the policy of the Free
Saes-for Protection, a sound Currency
and Ristribution, and both Of the others
against all these. In this state Of things.
there are four or five thousand Wings vino
do not like Mr.. Clay, either because he is q
STAKEHOLDER or for any other reason, and
lheyyote Hr third candidate. The result
is. nat Calhoun or Van Buren,, with his pro-
slavery policy, and his utter hostility TO oil
measures which the Wings deem good, gets
the vote of Vermont by plurality and gets
it absolutely By means Of third party uotes
For all practical purposes, might not that
party as well vote directly for Van Buren, or
Calhoun? Indeed, knowing that this would
be The result, in the case supposed, are they
not Just as regardless oftheir professed prin-
ciples and the obligation imposed by their
oath. as they would be if they voted directly
10 do The very thing which they indirectly
do I 1t seems 10 US too plain 10 be question.
ed. We have supposed this case, because
iflhere be any plausible necessity for any
Division among the Wings Of Vermont. ii
will come 10 this shape. Still We again
say, that the crisis has not come yet, and
may not come. 10 no sort Of shape can the
Presidential question be Justly mingled with
the present election. Such is the majority
an the Congress already elected that our
own members cannot effect the election Of
Pre,iden, one way or another, if Congress
IS required TO eIeci-while our state officers
can have nothing to do with the question in
any shape, save as they deposile thei. votes
Tor PRESIDENT next year,in common with their
constituents. Why divide, thenl
Is worthy Of remark that Gen. Kellogg
and Judge Williams have not been question.
ed. Why MOI We should like to know
whether the former will 60 the whole hog
:or Calhoun, slavery, Free Trade, and the
robbery ofihe States-and whether the lat.
ierwIll DO THE SAME THING, by 60
ing for third candidate p Waterman.