Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-03
90. . w w. THAN.
To the Hon. SOLOMON FooT and others.


WASHINGTON CRY, July 10, 1S4S
GENTLEMEN We have received YOUR
letter of invitation to attend the State Con-
vention of the Wings of Vermont, at Wood
stock, on the 10Th inst; but attention to our
official duties here forbids us the pleasure
OF meeting you, at that time.
We cannot, at this important crisis in
public affairs, content ourselves with the ma
ked expression of thanks for your invitation,
but trust we may not be deemed intrusive
IN taking this occasion frankly and dispas-
sionately, but briefly, to state what we regard
as the proper course for the Wings of YER
mont in relation to the Presidential election
Had the nomination of the National Wing
Convention been the man whom Vermont
would have preferred, there would have been
no occasion for any remarks by us, or any
s1crifice, even of feeling, BY you: but it is
because it is otherwise, it is because another
is selected, that the virtue and fidelity of the
Wings of Vermont are now to be tested and
exercised.
BY resolving, at the State convention at
Montpelier, last autumn, that delegates
should be sent 10 a National Convention
the party again repeated what had often,
both in Vermont and other States, been done
before that is, it invited all the Wings of
all the States to meet in convention for the
purpose of making the nomination. This
'nanitestly implies that the nomination. when
made, should be sustained, unless some
| fraud or unflirncss produced it. At the
Philadelphia Convention, the States and
most especially the free States, were fully
and fairly represented, and we have never
heard from any delegate any suggestion of
fraud or unfairness in its proceedings To
uslt seems like demand on the pHghtedfaiM
OF the party to sustain the nomination. 1t
also appears to us that this is due to the
honorable gentlemen whom the party sent
TO represent them in the National Copyen-
ton.
In doing this duty we consider that the
Wings of Ve=-aHnt az REQUIRED to w. NO
sacrifice of principle, but are cheered on by
the well grounded prospect Of success in
the election of President who will sustain
with fidelity the principles Of the party. so
loudly demanded by the present condition
of the country. 1t is notorious that Gen.
Taylor was utterly opposed to the annexa-
ton OF Texas and its concomitaut, the Mex
lean war, and to the whole policy adopted
under the present administration, of the ex-
tension of territory by conquest and war
either for the extension of Slavery, glory,
or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. That he is a Wing.
and reliable Wing, we have no doubt In
deed our position has been such that we have
witnessed and do well know that he has been
long and openly pursued by the " democra-
Cyl IN Congress, with the most unreenting
jealousy and prejudice, far that pery cause.
All know he has, for the same reason, re-
celved little favor from the present Execu-
tive. 1t sounds strangely to us, who have
witnessed the exertions of the democracy"
to disparage all his conduct because he was
a WING, now to hear it suggested that his
Wing principles are to be doubted.
The Constitution Of the United States,
according to its own declaration formed "to
establish justice, insure tranquility, promote
the common defence and general welfare
and the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity," is founded on the principle
that the people are competent TO self-govern-
ment, but that such government can only
produce its purpose by and through the reg
ular mode, the regular representatives aud
organs of the people, as provided in the
]
ity can only be advanced in that manner,
and that in no other way can the will of the
people be asderlained SO as to become law.
This is Wing principle. We cannot but say
we regard this government in the hands of
our political opponents, and as by them adj
ministered, as rapidly departing from its
Constitutional purposes though its form,
and its farm only, may be long preserved
1t is resolving itself into a mere machine
by which, not the will of the people as as
certained and expressed through their legit-
innate organs, their Senators and Represent
tatives uninfiuenced by executive control, is
to govern, but the dictaion of political, ire
sponslble, party conventions, composed of
partisans, collected together in manner IN
known to the Constitution, and who, not
conhning themselves to the nomination of
candidates, proceed to announce principles
and purposes, to be regarded and followed
as the oiW of the people and the guide of
official duty 1t is thus that all the recent
course of policy which, neglecting our do
nestle interests, seeks national prosperity
in national aggression and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
in appropriating to yourselves all that terrific
ry of adjoining countries, which we may
covet, either by purchase or by force, and
then, by amusing the people with the glare
of military glory, to reconcile or disguise
to them the danger, the injustice and ex-
pense Of such course, has been fully sus-
tained by the late Baltimore convention. In
further pursuance Of that course candidate
has been nominated, Gen, Cass, pledged to
follow out the policy of extension both of
land and slavery. The will of the people
as expressed by their constitutional organs
is to be kept in check by the veto power,
and the President, by his executive patron
age and influence, is to carry out his will
or the will of the party as expressed in
conventions, or as expressed by the most
clamorous and noisy politicians. We see
no ground for hope to bring back this gov
eminent within the legitimate purposes of
its creation but by the election of Wing
! Executive as well as Wing Congress-