Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-01-26

WAsHINGroN, Jan |, lSl4
.lIy Dear Sir 1T seems now to he dehnitvely
settled that the country is to lie called upon TO re-
tract the solemn decision pronouncedb by 1t III lS4O,
upon the merits Of Mr.. Van Buren, admnstra-
lion. aud to restore him to power, without soil
tary atonemcnt for the past, or pledge OF amend
ment for the future. The indications which have
been given here, since the assembling OF Con-
gress are too significant TO be mlsunderstood.-
The convention ut Baltimore will have nothing 10
do but TO register and proclaim the edIct OF the
caucus in the capitol.
In this state Of things are we, who have so Of
ten testified in the face of the world our deep aud
earnest convictions of the fatal and demoraIlzing
tendency of Mr.. Van Buren's whole system OF
political action, TO stand aside with folded arms,
and to shrink into an inglorious, Lad almost SAID
reasonable neutrality, because OF some differences
of opinion OH questions OF pubic pOilcy from Mr.
Clay, which wise spirit of moderation, and the
recognized arbitrament of The public will, are da l.
Nv narrowing in magnitude and extent! hum
bly, think not.
The election OF chief magistrate Of the nation is
one of those vital processes provided by the Con-
silulion of the country for periodical regenera.
lion of our system, 10y fresh INFUSION INTO 1t OF
the elements of popular health and virtue, in
which no good citizen, unless under circunstan-
ces OF very peculiar character, can properly re-
fuse to take part, and, TO The extent of his nflu
ence and example, a decided and efficient part -
When the vast mora! and political Influence oil the
Office as well as It's direct attributes of positive
and controlling power is considered, It can never
be n matter of Indifference, or even Of an equal
balance of counervailing motives Of preference or
obieclion who shall fill it, There is always n
choice and though the making oil that choice may
sometimes be embarrassed by conflicting conside-
raiions, arising out OF want Of entire coincidence
of opinion with either OF The opposing candidates,
it is only the more incumbent upon us to deter
| tSi AM
according TO the best lights of our understandings
| and when once conscientious'y formed, iearlessy
and uhhesitatingy to follow it out.
! In the approaching presidential contest then
| we ought MOI, and cannot, be neutral and IT, rs
! every thing now indicates is TO be The case, thai
contest shall be between Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr..
! CLAY. | have as little hesitation in saying thai
| there is but one line of action by which we can
acqu ourselves of the full measure OF our duly L
| the country and that is, waving ull minor consd
! eratons 10 give manly aud determined supper
! TO MIR. Clay IN preference 10 Mr.. Van Buren,. Fol
myself | can corrective OF no greater calamity Il
the nation, or deeper discredt to the cause ant
very name of popular government, than the re
election of Martin Van Buren, would be, after TN
signal and overwhelming majority by which ht
was so recently deposed from power, upon tn
fullest canvass Of his measures, policy aud con
duct
The host Of vndctive passions which follow il
the train of restored Governmenls-lhe crowds o
hungry reainers, pleading the merits oil past ser
vices who press forward to claim the reward o
their fidelity, or indemnify for tho sacrifices an
losses incurred in the common cause-lhe perm
cious and infatuated attachment to ancient abuse
The arbitrary aud ef.willed habits nurtured Il
. the former possession OF power-the commitment
to uyorlIe but perniclous schemes OF polcy, nav
all concurred to give sort OF proverbla currehc
F, TO the remark OF celebrated English sIatesma
' nj bnt he W
Q of all revolutions is a restoration"
+ That nil these evils would be realized 10 III
8 Widest extent, and in their most unmiguled vi
uence, in The restoration of Van Buren,, none ca
5 doubt who have been attentive observers OF Ia
= selfish and vicious s. stem OF party policy exempt
r fed in the creed and conduct OF himself aud h
n iiends or who have not forgotten that memorial
: motto o. party rapaciIy, SO boldly embazoned G
= the shields o! his chosen followers which, IN pr
(; claiming Z" TO The vCtors belong the spots OF We
d tory' shameessly pointed to the Offices aud pnl
>. lie russ OF the country rs the rlghtiul plumber
g political warfare
h But TO return to the remark already made.
II Could any thing nllct deeper wound on Il
n cause OF republican Institutions than such spec
e acle OF leyuy OH The part OF the constituent boz
y as would be exhibited in the restoration OF NJ
II Van Buren,, after the overwhelming condcmnnllt
e OF his administration, pronounced by the aImo
Is unanimous electoral voice OF the country but lhr
If short years agoI Would it not render popul
d government iIselfa "by-word and launt amor
is the nations? In 1910 the American people, u
10 on the fullest aud most deliberate hearing of DO
= sides OF the political controversy the irien
Il, as well rs of The opponents OF MIR. Van Buren,
IL recorded their votes against him by such maJo
Ut lIy never before signalzed the retreat OF Al
I'd minister from power, aud was till then utterly u
I'd paralloed and even unapproached in Ihe hislo
m OF our presidential contests.
s. Oh the twenty six States composing the Unio
ly he received the votes OF but seven, aud all
III these, except one, among the smallest of the col
federacy; and OF the 29l votes of The electoral CO
as leges e Obtained but so; and Of tho popular su
Isl RACES of The people, majority OF I45,O0U on,
al the free and enlightened citizens of the Unit
Id States who voted in the election, gave in their
cumulated verdict against him. And yet, in I,