Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-04-12
For the TELEGRAM h, !.
A Voluntary Political government


this sll-touching subject naturally leads
US to trace the workings of The present
system from one end 10 tie other. Some
good, at all events, must come from this
pursuit. Forif we should not he enab-
ed TO see oIr way clearly TO the abroga-
tlon OF the entire code, I've may a! least
take the liberty OF sweeping away such
portions as are absolutely injurious as
well as those parts which could, with
manifest advantage be left to spontaneous
action. Political machinery is confessed
by lis managers TO be SO far imperfect that
the greater part If the time and effort is
devoted to patching it up, so that it may
be able to move with any degree of sue.
cess or appreciation. -. ~
In the American Constitution, the
town-meeting is the primary spring, the
vital element Abolish this and the whole
fabric falls. Let the townsmen omit to
act politically, let them forbear the manu-
tacture OF Legislators, and other Officers;
and the taper already Pickering in tho
socket, will be finally extinguished.
The town meeting, 10 the external eve
the mere circumference of the wheel, is
The very centre Of it, the axel upon whic h.
1t revolves, and the power which imparts
the motion. =. ~. .....
We assemble in town meeting. Our
fathers having heretofore done the like,
and my neighbors choose 10 come together
tlr certain purposes. What are thev2
Fo elect representative, to be joined by
many others from other towns, to make
;, laws for our government. To appoint
certain persons to select.teachers for our
children +; 10 lay rates upon ourselves, and
Iappointa constable to collect them, and
as part OF a county TO elect a jailor. We
give up our regular productive employ
ment, our home duties, the education of
our children, the providing of fuel, the
cultivation Of the garden or Geld, or what.
ever the season, in conjunction with our
most sacred family and neighbor reIa-
lions, may reader needfuI. We are gath
cred together over this business Of sane.
lonlng the present social order with all
lis ri ehts and powers, real or supposed
) The first act is to appoint moderator,
WeIii whom shall I'VE fix upon2 Why
1t Is secular business, and therefore NOT
the priest. But Squire ------ - the law,
yer is a fiji person; he has studied the
laws; his life has been devoted to the
SUBJECT; be can advise the town if any
difficulty OF construction arises; and. so
we place him in the chair. So flf We.
seem to have proceeded nationally! But
I'VE, the mass, are but unlearnedo culliva-
: tors ofthe soil or hard handed mechan-.
. tlcs, who cannot WELD graceful pen or
round of a handsome speech, so that now
the business hitches, the machinery is
: like steam engine before the steam is
turned on. Some one must bring forward
| the resolves, and suggest reasons fJr pass
ing them, and the party names must be
lEpatroazsd by man OF weight. Who so
| fit as the Banker! He has, or appears
: to have great stake 10 the hedge, he in :.
; tends TO preserve affl1s In good order |;
SO we will hear him. A seconder is
. wanted. Who can prtscrib4 better than
= the Doctor He is skilled 10 the treat
d meut of the body physical. and If we trust
+ him with our own frames, surely we
shall not hesitate to accept his preserip-
r tons for the body political. So now we
e are pretty safe. We have secarel the
, guidance OF the besi educated classes, and
!. we shall so ahead all right, The Law
a yer. The Banker. the Merchant, the Doc
e tor have condescended TO take US by the
!, hand, so that we could not possibly be
y better eff
Z This, Sir, is no exaggera;ion Of The
e facts Enter the town-meetings and see.
! Ii in all casesthese characteristic not come
prominently forward 10 the eye, il is only
because policy suggest they should keep
: in the back ground 10 order the better TO
\ carry their poiat. TO the disinterested
/, observer The proceedings in a town meet
!. Ing are dramatically interesting. These
$ assemblies, once perhaps the seats ofiruth.
j Of liberty. of safely. have nov become a
mimic scene, in which the wives that