Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-18


LowELL MASS, Dec. TO- lol0 Il
Mr. EDIToR,--I cannot promise often to SEND 4
YOU any thing for publication, in the columns oil
year useful paper, but as time and opartnnlty may
permit. it will be far from unpleasant to give you
the result of my observations and reflections on
men and manners, in this far-idmed city of spin
dies. Although not native Of Vermont, yet
have lived 80 long among her mountains that feel
towards her all the affection of child for parent
Every thing that comes from Vermont, whether 1t
be u man, a woman, or newspaper revives in my |
bosom sensations of no unpeasing character, ana
my latest prayer shall be breathcd forth for the
prosperity of her honest and industrious population
Lowell contains population, not far from oU,-
600, at the present time. The first thing that strikes
stranger, entering the city, is the TACT mat the
inhabitants all appear to be busy and active lhere
is here no room for oilers and loungers. All are
in motion, doing something, and yet, here as well
as almost every where else, there is full as much
work to be done as there are hands to do it.
stranger however, unless he has friends to assist
him, and to introduce him to the public, cun expect
little encouragement in his cndeavors after employ
ment or assistance. Human nature is the same
here as it is every where, and the stranger IN all
places, must only expect to progress slowly IN his
struggles for livelihood.
The people of Massachusetts entertain some
what narrow prejudice against the ability or talents
of the leading men of Vermont They think well
of her farmers, as a bold and hardy race, but her
statesmen and her lawyers are not thought to be
men of very extensive erudition. One cannot but
smile. on going into the Court of Common Pleas,
recently in session in this city, and comparing 1t
with our County Courts i'll Vermont. From the
well deserved reputation of the Massachusetts, jul
dietary yermonter would be apt TO expect that
he should discover more evidence Of legal power,
both on the bench and in the bar than are to be
found there. The single Judge who presides and
this looks awkward to the Vermonters, although 1t
must be confessed to be better than our system
h. "a &c lie
tce WABD, is indeed man of sufficient ability to
do justice to himself, and the numerous suitors be.
fore him, but it is quite mistake to suppose him
equal to a WILLIAMS, ROYCE, REDFGELD, or a
HEBARD which last named gentleman, perceive,
has, by the Vt. Legislature, been compelled to re-
tire from the bench. At the recent criminal term
of the Common Pleas Court holden in this city, |
had the curiosity to attend the trial Of young wo-
man for embezzing watch. The testimony was
far from sufficient to convict her of the offence.
The counsel very triumphanty proved an abb, and
also her good character for number of years past
My feelings, of course, were somewhat enlisted in
her favor. Judge then what must have been my
feelings ofindignation, when heard the Judge in
stead of giving careful and impartial charge tc
the jury, very gravely tell them that the defence
attempted by the prisoner, was ola very suspicious
character. Instead of charge, his remarks par
took largely Of the character Of argument foi
the government and one certainly no better thar
ey. 1t was, however, some consolation to hear him
inform the jury, that in criminal trials, they were
the judges of both the law and the fact and thai
they ought not to be unduly influenced by any
thing that he might happen to say. The jury very
properly, took him at his word, and very much tC
their credit, returned with verdict of Not Guilty
All this occasioned no surprize in any one, ant
when ventured to express my indignation for i
1vdS enough to disturb the equanimity of stole
could find no one, who could perceive any impro
priety in the course pursued by the learned judge
had the satisfaction of listening, for several
hours to the argument of Hon. RUFUS CHoATE, al
the same term of the Court on the trial of one
Samuel Parker for perjury. The trial was Ions
one, lasting for three days. Mr.. Choate common
ced his argument in the forenoon, and did not fin
ish till the evening. The only fault of his argu
ment-and this very serious one-was its unrea
sonable and unnecessary length 1t was learned
ingenious, eloquent and argumentative 1t was m
more so, however, than have heard from the Hon
WILLIAM UPHAM, on similar occasions. But thu
people who heard him never once thought of it a
being too long. This is certainly great compli
ment to Mr. Choate, but it must be recollected tina
he did not have Vermont audience.
Lowell is certainly wing city. The supremac,
of whig principles is the life of Lowell. Destroy
in the government, the principle of protection, ant
Lowell would be among the things that were. He
manufacturing corporations, so bitterly hated b.
MDuhe and the free trade advocates ofboth Mort
and South, would crumble in the dust. The las
election for representatives to the legislature, i
this city, emphaticay proves that Lowell is com
pletey wing. So conscious were the democrat
that they could do nothing alone, that they neglect
ed to organise for the election or even to nominal
ticket of their own. But they did what was fc
them, far better They procured the nomination
Rail Road Ticket, composed entirely of whr
and part OF whom were on the regular wing ticl
ct. At the last session of the legislature, ther
were two petitions before that body, asking for
railroad from Lowell to Andover, one headed b
William Livingston, of this city, leading demC
crat and one by Hobart Clark. The routes pray
edt Tor were not the same. Among the Lowell de
egation was William Schouler ESQ.,. editor of tt
Lowell Courier, the only whig paper published
the city. The legislature refused to grant the pray
OF either petition Mr. Schouler was accused
Mr. Livingston of faithessness and treachery,
the reason that after having promised him to NOV
reconsideration, or rather re-commitment of
petition, to the committee of Roads and Canals,
failed to do So but did do so, in regard to the pc
ton of Hobart Clark. Mr. Schouler replied tn
the object was to secure a railroad from Lowell
Andover-that he was the representative of Lo
ell rather than the representative of Wiiliam LII
ingslon, and that in order to accomplish VIII
Mr.. Livingston wanted, viz. the charter Of 70
on Mr.. Clark's route, after having ascertained ii
he could not get one on his own he must make
motion on Mr. Clark's petition. But the good viii
of Lowell were not satisfied with Mr.. Schoule
explanation, and they did, in this instance, wi
they have elsewhere done thousand times, ASST
ed the democrats of the city, to defeat one of til
best friends. No better evidence can be wanted
the fact that Lowell is now iohig city; for this
precisely the whg policy all over the United Stat
More than half the towns in good old Orange Coz
ty, have become democratic by precisely This Xxi
of management Our political opponents obtain
their victories over us by sowing the seeds of d
cord in our ranks. The wings very well understa
all vet nv
be in lore loih defeat.
/" For sure the pleasure is great,
In being cheated a cheat"
MIR. Schouler, and two others on the wing ticl
were defeated, and no others were chosen in I'll
place.
The Texas question produces comparatively
tie excitement here. And yet there is a deep ft
ing OF opposition to the measure. The Polk del
L.. 4L,.. l..