Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-09-27

out which there can be no permanent National
prosperity. Webelievo that the General Govern
ment has power TO regulate this matter, and we
call upon them TO do so. We presume not to die
tate here the precise form. Let it be done in any
mode, so that it be constitutional, efficient and
well guarded one. But let it be DONE
! We hold that the public lands now in possession
of the General Government, TO have been placed
there by the States originally owning them, upon
q special trust which has been fulfilled. Their pro-
ceeds, therefore, should hereafter be distributed a.
mongst the States, in equitable proportions. This
course is demanded by that justice to the States,
which forbids the National Government 10 appro-
pirate to its own what in no equitable sense can
be called its own.
But it is still moro imporativey demanded by the
present financial condition of many ofthe Sates-
Massachusetts, VIC proud to say, can SPEAK dis
interestedly upon this subject She needs not and
asks not an inch Of the public lands to redeem or
secure her credit. Not u dollar of her debt either
principal interest, has ever been in arrears
er will be- Her own resources are sufficient TO
| meet her engagements with the world.
| But with some of our sister States it is different.
And though we are in no way responsible for their
obligations, and should not be implicated in any
disgrace into which they may have lallcn yet these
States so closely bound together that one can
not suffer in its fair ame without all the rest suf
! fering with it, Bnt whilst we denounce, as every
honest people must the bare idea of the reputation
OF an honest debt, we believe that in the delinquent
States 1t IS want of ability, rather than want Of de-
sire to pay, that has brought them into their present
disreputabe condition. Hurried on most indscreet.
! ly in those internal Improvements, which General
Jackson's administration abruptly abandoned,
they have acted unwiielv. but not we believe dis
honestly. Still their debts should be paid at any
cost. The public domain is in part their property.
| Its proceeds would enable them to pay their debts
and redeem their yielded honor. And what richer
harvest can those ertileands be made to yield than
that which can purchase back the good name and
fame which was once the possession and the pride
Of all these United states?
And still further,we maintain that these proceeds
OF the public lands should be distributed amongst
the States, for the security and stability Of the Pro-
tectlye System. This important end can be secur-
ed only by combining the revenue of the National
Government to the duties upon imports. Il, in ad
dltion TO this, there is opened a supply, from its
nature OF the most fluctuating kind, change. con-
slant and most runous change, must attend that
system, which Of all others, should be the most
steady and certain. And until the Wing policy Of
distribution shall be adopted these public lands,
which, under that policy, would be national bless
ing, will be but source of national injury, or a
means of NATIONAL corruption.
And finally, the Wings of Massachusetts, do
hereby protest. deliberately, earnestly, and
solemny protest, against the annexation of Texas
to this Union Our territory 0s 1t is and the Union
as it is. Slavery within its constitutional limits,
and not one whit further and there left to die out
as Mr. Clay has truly predicted that it must by that
law of population, which is the law Of God these
are the principles Of the Wings of Massachusetts,
rcsolutely and fearlessly expressed. The near-
GUS origin of this scheme OF annexation, the wick
ed purpose for which the Democratic party have
seized upon it, in the very face of their recently a.
vowed opinions against 1t, the foul disgrace which
It will entail upon abroad, the horrors of foreign
war and of internal dssensons TO which it must
| n1
with II appeals to us as men, ireemen, and as
Christians, to stand against it, and to fight it, as
the darkest stain which we could bring upon our
! national honor The Wings of Massachusetts
hear and will heed that appeal And not until they
can forget their origin and blot out their history,
will they cease to protest against this proposed out
rage upon justice, honor and humanity
Such are the principles, as to the general spirit
and the special purposes, with which and for which
the Wings of Massachusetts maintain that the
government of this Union should be administered
These are the prnciples-the true principles-the
American principles which they are proud to
proclaim and which they pledge themselves to de.
fend. Principles, indeed, are every thing and in
dividuas comparatively nothing. But without men
to sustain and carry them into action, the best
principles must fail Of their effect. And in regard
TO the candidates for the Presidency and Vice Pres
idency which the Wing party have nominated, the
| Wings of Massachusetts, in one loud and harno-
NOUS voice proclaim their unqualified satisfaction
and pledge their undivided support.
We go for HENRY CLAY, of Kentucky, as
President, and against James X. Polk:--
Because Air. Clay is a long tried, intelligent,
upright and truly American statesman, who will
act for the country which he has ever served
while Mr. Polk is unknown. but as the creature of
party, which has proved itself false to the char
acter, the credit and the interests of the nation:
Because Mr. Clay is pledged to support the Pro-
lection of American Industry, which Mr.. Polk is
pledged to destroy:
Because Mr.. Clay is in favor of such a regula.
ton OF the currency of the country, by the Nation.
al Government, as will facilitate and secure the bu-
sincss Of the people,-whilst Mr.. Folks doctrine
is, that the Government has nothing to do upon this
subject, but to take care of itseif
Because Mr.. Clay is in favor of a Just and benc-
hclal appropriation OF the proceeds OF the public
lands whilst Mr. Polk would retain them in the
hands Of the General Government, where they will
be curse, instead of blessing:
Because, although Mr.. Clay has expressed his
willingness that Texas should be added to the I'm
ion, provided it could be done, without dishonor,
and without war, with the common consent of the
Union, and upon just and fair terms, yet consid-
or him, both by his Raleigh letter, and by the con-
ditons expressed in his subsequent letters, above
quoted, as in fact, pledged against the annexation
of that country to this, whilst Mr.. Polk owes his
nomination, and depends for his support, upon the
avowed determination to procure that annexation
believe the simple difference TO be, that if Mr..
Clay is elected President Texas will never be an
nexed to the United States, -whilst if Mr. Polk is
elected, it will be annexed Immediately.
We will support THEODORE FRELINGHUYsEN,
for Vice President, because we believe him emf.
nenty qualified for that important station,-and
knowing him to be the fast friend of the Wing
principles which we maintain, we know that he
will use his office only to carry them into execu-
ton
Fellow Wings of the United States,-as Wings
of Massachusetts, we have proclaimed our
Wing principles, and pledged our support to the
Wing candidates. Four years ago, we stood to-
gether upon another sacred spot in this Old Com
monwealth,-a spot sacred in your hearts, no less
than in ours, even upon Bunker Hill. Then, as
now, it was the Wing cause that inspired us. Then
as now, it was the Wing principles that we pro
claimed, and called upon the genius of the place
TO defend and bless. You know the result. You
remember the noble battle that fought You
never can ioruet The olorious victory that wo won