The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-03-18

COUNTIES FEB. %, 1914,
'Crhe two great political parties occupy equal van
tnge ground Neither has announced its Leader, and
vet tho Leader of each is known, and awaits only
the ceremony ofannouncement TO enter the field. 1t
is MS certain any human event, that MARTIN
VAN buren, and HENRY CLAY will be the Cam
didates for the Presidency. But how different in
spirit and in action are the two popular masses who
are so soon engage in the conflict, the result OF
which arc suspended their hest hopes or the welfare
orlhc country and the prosperity of its Institutions!
Our anniversaries are distracted and disinnyed They
move not at all, iregularly and dscordantly.
The Wings come up this day to their Council Chnm-
bers in every Electon District throughout the Union,
M one man. with one heart and purpose; divd-
ing their increasing hosts into nssocntions, societies.
clubs; into baalions and regiments; and re-coHhin
ing it's professions, with enthusiasm that breaks Forth
~ ooquencc, in martial airs and in patriotic songs;
an enthusiasm which none but triumphng parties can
feel and which, When 'elt,is sign Of Triumph.
Why this difference Each party has referred the
designation &C lbs Representatives to n General Coun-
ef and in each the selection is only the antici
Pated decisions Of the Council. Our adversnrics
have been circumvented by their agents. They have
constituted Convention withoutIhe principle of e.
quail representation; Convention which collects on
y the voice Of lenders and excludes the sufrngGs of
blinorities, WbcA must be rcconccd to secure their
sudrages and whose sulingcs are Indispensable
Thus the caucus system, always powerful md ire
sistabe when derives RS impulse from the mind of
mass, has been perverted TO control the common
mind, and is therefore powerIess. The Wings on
she other hand have opened their Convention to mi
md bnva vitaJ
sentatives Of every interest and of every principle
throughout the land. Discussion has been free and
amicabe. because every member Of the party knew
that the decision would be fairly made; and thus in
She result the party are unanimous. Throughout the
length and breadth Of the Union, Delegate has
been chosen who will not give his voice TO IlENRY
CLAY, nor is there Wing, North or South, or East
or West who will not by his vote affirm, with heart
and soul, this unanimous choice.
Nor is tho condition Of parties affected less by the
character oftheir leaders, The people four years
ago, elected the enc from his of public ser
vco at tho stage which none hut Washington, Jefler-
son, Madison, Monroe and Jackson were allowed TO
pass. It was signazed by no act which ref
an impression the spirit Of the age or the nsti-
tutons the laws, the condition Of the csun
tsy, the hearts Of his countrymcn or on the az
fsctions of any portion Of his countrymen. He is a
statesman overpnid,ye he comes complaining that he
has not been adequately rewarded.
OF the whole life of Martin Van Buren, il can only
be remembered, that Governor of this State he
patronsed n Banking scheme which signify faiod
when tried, a President of the United Sates a f.
nanciaf system so fearful mud odious that il was deni-
cd trial. He was the first, and will probably he
the last elected President who attained that high emf
nence without having rendered eminent public
vice, and who was destitute of magnanimous ambi-
tion.
On the other side is a Statesman in sef-taught con
tented retirement after career in which almost eve
ny sNge has been distinguished by acts identified with
the defence with the advancement Of his country
His wisdom sustained and animated his courtrymen
in War, and his moderation and equanimity weTe
employed to secure the blessings of an Honorable and
lasting Peace. His influence in the public councils
mainly restored the American Currency when had
been unwisely abandoned and every mechanic, arti-
san, farmer and lnborer throughout the land halls or
might hail him with reverence as the rosorer of the
prosperity of his Country. Always bold and perse-
verins in urging the rghtiu policy his judgment up
proved, he has mora than once had the greater vir-
tue to yield cherished and useful Objects when oppu-
eoh pecuiTe iaciious ana resisted beneficial meas
ures by laying dsloyal hands the ark of the Union
His sympathles are DOT bounded by his country but
are as comprehensive as the family OF Nations; and
he is venerated hardly less in the rising Republics of
South America, than in his own grateful land lie
has suffered popular injustice deep and long, because
he had the fortitude to resist popular deluson, and
relying on his own conscience awaited tho returning
justice ofhs countrymen. And that justice has re-
turned at alst 1t is felt in different degrees, bnt il
pervades the American people. It disarns his adver-
saries, while it exces his friends and advocates tn
enthusiasm.
Who now accuses Henry Clay OF duplicitv or of
unehastened ambition Who talks now of rrinn.
virates combining to overthrow the liberty of these
States? Who dares TO utter now the charge which
even the Hero Of New Orleans did not scruple IN
sanction, that Henry Clay in s24 made corrupt
political agreement with John Quincy Adams? The
year lS4S witnessed the glorious vindcaton of the
Sage and Pbilanthropst, of uncy. The year 1914
will be made memorable by the vindication of the
Statesman of Ashland. CaIumny has learned pru
dence, and is silent. Do our adversares wonder at
sheB languor, or at our zeil Here is the cause