Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-15

j
courage, and try to liken it to the war OF 1917,
and the war of the revolution, laundering anath-
emus on all that question its justice and arraign
its author.
But, Mr.. Chairman, rose mainly to have lit
tie friendly discourse with some Of these modern
Democrats about Old Federalism" This is the
ghost they shake at us, when all others fail to
Brighten. propose to examine with what grace
This charge comes from that side Of the House.
You will recollect, sir, as will all who hear me,
with what nimbleness of tongue several gentle
men on that side, when all other arguments fail
ed them, when they felt the issues were against
them, that their President stood forth a convicted
usurper, having sought as a last resor. to charge
us with the sin of "Old Federalism" the "anti-
War Party" Among others, sir, ringing these
changes, stood forth the gentleman from Alaba-
ma (Mr. Payne) with his usual quantum of dem.
ocratc thunder and tempest, branding us all sold
federalists'-s Massachusetts in the face
for her imputed hereses so also the gentleman
from Tennessee, MR. Stanton,) the semi-ofiicla
organ of the Executive, followed in nearly the
same wake. The gentleman from Indiana (Nlr.
Kennedy reiterated the charges with great bold
ness, pronouncing us the "Old Federal Party
elongated" And then, sir, 10 show himself more
courageous than all who preceded him, the gen
teman from the northwest district of Ohio, (Mi
Sawyer,) comes down upon US with his stedge
hammer, talking about "tories," " same old led.
eral party" "same old coons," &c. &c. Sir, !
shall pay my respects to that gentleman, and can
vass his Democracy and his votes before | am
done. Then, again, Mr.. Chairman, the learned
gentleman from the Chile ohe district, tMr. Thur
man, you will recollect, at the last session at
tempted the entire demolition of the Wing party
by his "Od Federal" epthe,s. lie fanced he
had annlhilated his three colleagues (Giddings,
Delano, and T'ilden) for their anti-Mexcan war
nvOwals nv Ovprturninu thnir nositnus. on in
saying their facts, or answering their arguments,
but by large quotations from old "Federal pa
pers," and Federal pulplts. 1t was thought GER
tainy that such Speech and such arguments
would avail; that it would redeem Ohio, save N.
York, and blow up the Wing party. 1t was the
"big Buncombe Speech" calculated for crcula-
ton, was sent largely into Ohio; literally sub
scibed for by my Democratic colleagues, and sent
into the river counties, New York. But strange
to tell, sir, Ohio needed not the Democratic
meanings; she sends eleven Wings and half
in place Of eight to the next Congress- and even
the Chilicothe district is to be represented by a
"Federal Whg;' and the river counties, ~ Y,
(God be praised) will present in the thirteth Con-
gress an almost unbroken Wing phalanx So we
would say to the Chilcothe gentleman, "a few
more such, i you please"
But, Mr. Chairman, one incident connected
with these extracts, was both amusing and in
structlve, They are nearly every one of them
from the told Federal papers" of two States.
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, from which we
were left to infer, that the gentleman from the
Clillcothe district had been clustered with two
"old Federaists," now or lately in Mr.. Folks
cabinet, Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Bancroft These
gentlemen from their early predictions had
probably provided themselves with copious files
of "Federal papers," But, sir, it is to be regret
ted that Mr. Buchanan omitted Thy mistake,
hope,l to furnish the gentleman with one more
extract; that is from Federal Grafton, deliv-
cred in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, soon after the
war, by one JAMES BUCHANAN; in which the war
James Madison, and the Democratic party were
very roughly handled. But will alude to this
quotation when come to canvass Democracy
by states. should mention, also, in passing
that among others, my Democratic colleague
from the Delaware district, New York, (Mr Con.
POM mas joined in this cry, charging that as in
ioi@ so there is now party fighting against
the country.
Here, then, we are confronted by great ant
| powerful party, united oy no ligament but the
cohesive power of plumber; no common seni
ment, but the threadbare name of Democracy
"a party conducting its entire operations on I
system of demogogueiSn,, appealing to old issues
old names, drawing the eye off from the trie
points, branding their adversares as "old Fede
ralists," and pluming themselves on their Democ
racy. Challenge one of them to stand up ant
| defend his Subtreasury, "Oh, you are an old Fed
eralistw Call on him to vindcatc his tariff
"Oh you are an old blue light" Press him Il
stand up and defend the usurpaions of his Pres
ident, "Oh, you are tine old ant-war party p
"Your father wore the black cockade !" "W
are the disciples of Jefferson, the true Democ
racy!" "You, the old Federaists FEEDER
alists!"
These are the changes rung by these croaker
of modern Democracy, till their chatterng ha
shamed the maybe, and thrown the blush upo
the parrot. 1t is amusing, Mr.. Chairman, to Sc
with what accuracy the tune has been pitche
for these Democratic musicians" Old Federal
sold Federalism" "blue-light,"" Federal party
"Federal PRESS" Federal leaders" And .hei
Democracy" Democratic party" "Democra
ic measures" democratic administration
These are the notes now being played from I'll
highest keyed bugle in Washington, down, dow
to the lowest pumpkin vine, that tools in an OH
; cornfield
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, such are the very poe
weapons with which we are assailed, and M
Polk justified. In speaking of" Old Federalism
| wish to be understood as casting no reproaC
: on those who were Federalists none whateve
In those days, there were honest differences
: opinion-honorable upon both sides. In $50
= Jefferson said awe are all Republicans; "
are all Federalists." In November, 1916, Gle
jackson wrote to Mr.. Monroe, advising the a
u u pointment of Old Federalists" to Office al
= :, thus to destroy the monster of party" For tn
u advice, Gen. Jackson was denounced by the A
), bany Argus in 1884, and abused by Thorn
} Richie. The issues and landmarks that III
. Distinguished parties have long since been o
:, liberated the Federalsts and the Democrats
:, those days have since, more or less, comming
y with all parties and no man but an arrant DEF
- - agogue or one defending bad cause, seekii
- to cast dust in the air. and hiding the true ss
: of the day, will attempt to drag up these expl
% ded distinctions, and brand his antagonist wi
. these obsolete ephets. But so it is, sir, gent
:, men prefer this mode of warfare, and | choo
to meet them with their own weapons. | sal
y just now, meant TO adopt the Siiver rule.
e "Old Federalism" were sin, who is most co
u taminated whit? Ifhaving Old Federalst
in ones party faint it with political leprosy, whe
!. is the purity OF modern democracy ?" Y
1s are infected from your head to your toes. w
- and where are the ' Old Federalsts" that ha
= come to your camp? What rewards and hone
"a have you not heaped upon their head ? VIVA,
~ premium have you paid?
Sir, begin down East look into the State
rt Maine, and there you find Ruell Williams, an
IN Federalist now transformed into modern /
II. mocratC" Senator; elevated to the head of t
I'd party-hls sins all forgiven Pass over TO /
n. State Of New Hampshire, the "Switzerla