The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-04
HON. sILAs WRIGHT, THE GOV
ELECT AND THE New YORK "CAro."


tons with the politics of New York. is not
so fresh with the public generally. The SIM
ultaneous attempt of the Loco FOco press in
this State, to eulogze him as an honest and
uprigh, mau, as the Cato" of America, rem
ders 1t proper that a few of his acts should be
examined, in order 10 form just estimate OF
his character.
Mr.. Wright has always been the principal,
although the least discovered member OF " hat
is famiiiarly known as the Albany Regency,
the most unprincipled and INSCRIPTIONS
set of politicians that ever dissraced any State
in the Union. Ii is to him that the public
owe the avowal that the objects of govern
ment are ''spoils"-that the only end and aim
should be to attain them, irrespective ofmeans
or of consequences. The public generally
attribute to Mr.. Marcy the pre- eminent in
fanny of first publicly declaring this doctrine,
but the letter of Mr.. Wright to Mr. VanBu-
rem, written many years before, and with
which the public are familiar, proclaimed the
same doctrine, in almost the same words, ac-
companied with other things Of equal furpi
tude and baseness.
Ii is well known that MIR. Van Buren,-if
he had any opinions-never had any of his
own in which he had any confidence. twas
always to Mr.. Wrigh t that he looked for the
! planning ard carrying out Of his political
measures. The Sub-Treasury was concoct-
ed and published by Mr.. Wright before the
question was submitted to Congress. 1t was
foolish and fatal measure to Mr.. VanBuren,
but he had no more 10 do with lis origin than
the Emperor of Russia.
Mr.. Wright had been many years in pub
lie life. During the whole of this period, he
had never advocated measure or law which
proposed the slightest improvement 10 his
own State or the nation. Every object of
internal improvement, our canals and oUr
Railroads in New York. and every similar
national object in Congress, have always met
his opposition. Not that hc did not approve
of these things himself, but because he was
considered peculiarly the organ Of the - De-
slructives,'' now known as 'Barn-Burners' in
this State. He WIS willing, and is willing, to
he their instrument, and carry out theifmeas-
urcs, because be loves Office, and cannot OBJ
tain it un.esshe stoops to base means and base
instruments.
Mr.. Wright is, in his personal intercourse,
cold aud cautious-the moial characteristics
of he selfish man he is courteous but not
polished in his manners; and the political
popularity which the organs ofLoco Focoism
are now extoliing, arises from the fact that
his tone and standard of moral feeling and
moral honesty are in unison with the party
who have elected him--the party who are to
receive the 'spoils'' of which he is to be the
dispenser. How far his political associations
have contributed to blunt his moral feelings
and deaden his sensibiliiies TO honorable and
high-minded conduct, it is difficult to say
But one thing is certain: Mr.. Wright has
done acts which no other public man has ev
er dared to do, and for the honor OF our coun
try we hope 10 other man ever can do, with
ont the deep brand of infamy shall be indel
IDLY stamped on his forehead..as marked as
that of Cain, and as fatal TO every step in his
future life as was that Of the great wanderer.
We allude TO his course on the Tariff act
He spoke two hours in his seat in the Senate
against the bill, and then voted for it; and al
most as soon as it went iuto effect, turned a.
round and recorded another vote, denouncing
that Bill as unjust, oppressive and unconsti-
tutional, condemning with the most shame
less elfronteryshis own conduct, and virtually
admitting the violation of his own oath when
he became a member OF Lbal body.
Mr. Wright was the - ofthe bold and
infamous avowal, that the intention Of par
ty was to ''excite the poor against the rich,''
or, that the poor were, naturally against the
rich; and this, too, in order TO effect the ele-
vaiion of the party to which 1t belonged; an
avowal which met with sach dignifed g. with
eriug rebuke from Mr.. Webster, as to make
even its author cover & admit its wickedness.
His course in the Senate has been such, so far
as it relates 10 its associates in that body. to
r. 81, o,r nnnEIanra
He is looked upon by most of the Loco Foco
Senators from the South with dread Of his
influence, hut with contempt for his conduct.
The intellectof the man is respected more
than his character. IL his private and So
cial relations, there is little TO commend for
imitation to the present generation. and less
TO hold up to posterity. In his public life,
there are two cases where he acted right. He
voted for the Tariff, but he then declared the
vote unconstitutional aud oppressive. He
voted against the Texas treaty for the purpose
of crushing the rival of Mr. Van Buen: WI
al impudence which has no parallel, he trsv
ersed a considerable portion Of the State of
New Yori. before the recent election, de-
nouncins both Of his own votes in these cases,
-cordemning the Tariff because it had pas
sed. and eztolling Mr.. Polk because he was
in favor of, the Treaty OF Annexation. To
all other measures, he merely gives his mega
tive. lie escapes responsibility by proposing
nothing in legislation, but if opposition to any
measure will foster the hostility of party
against party, that lie opposes. His life has
been constant series of opposition: always
in good temper and amenity-but still of OPP
position. Ii any object ofbenevolence, or of
mercy, or Of charity, comes mp before him in
his legislative capacity. and il it could be con-
yenient for party purposes he always used it
for thai object. His cold reserve and want
of feeling. is no doubt the legitimate effort of
a long public lit: devoted to the promotion Of
objects against which his judgment and con-
science, both, have reyoiied. OF his merits
and foresight as a Statesman. more may be
learned from the fact. that he opposed the
Erie Canal and its grea. founder, Dewitt
Clinton. With uniformity, from beginning TO
end, than IAN be told in hundreds Of pages.
Surely, this Is l." Cato."-N. Z. Express.
WHAT PENNSYLVANIA EXPECTS
OF POLK.
While the Charleston Mercury at the |