Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-03-30


wolves were driven back and kept bay. Thesrug-
Gle was long and fierce The friends of the captives
turned their eyes with confidence towards Mr.. Adams.
Nor were they disappointed in him. They called up
on him to assist in their defence. lie came at the
call
1t was enough for him to know that they belonged
to the family of man. They we're endowed with rights
nalienabe. These rights were assailed and tramped
in the dust He stood in the breach before them and
withstood the assault He might have sheltered him
self behind his dignity He might have excused him
self on account of his old age. He might have poin-
ted to those whose business it to stand as advo-
Gates before our judicial tribunals. And who would
have thought it in the least degree derogatory to his
honor his fame or his love for universal freedom He
did neither He went before that court where he had
not appeared as an advocate for thirty years. Not for
glory or honor; but for the rights of man, and the
principles of eternal justice. Here exhibited a
lofty specimen of moral dignity, compared with which
to be President is but a triAe 1t is not every one
who from such an exalted station would make himself
of no esteem despiso the obloQuy cast upon him by
men of small minds, in high and low Places and plead
the cause of the poorest of Gods creatures, against
the combined influences of oppression and robbery, al
ded by the strong arm ofhe national government, ser
vile to the behests of slavery. He had his reward
Truth and Justice triumphed goriously, and the trem
bling captves were set at liberty.
Another distinguishing attribute of his character
was exhibited in his unAinching and untiring advo
cacy of the right of petition and unyielding upon
those infamous Gags with which the South shuttha
mouth of the quite willing North. Who does not re-
member his soul-strring speeches, his whitening re-
Dukes and bitter nvectves in relation to these sub
jects.
And when the Texas iniquity was in process of in
cubation, he, with his customary seepess vigilance
discovered the scheme and sounded the note of alarm
to the North Day after day he stood up in his place
and occupied the morning hour" in exposing and OPP
posing this grand plot to steal Texas and annex to
the United States for the purpose Of extending slave
ry and destroying the principles ofliberty. He could
not be brow-beaten or sienced nor did he yield the
floor until the close of the session. But the alarm was
UNDECIDED. Northern knees had become to week from
constant bending, to stand erect Northemnecks low
ed the yoke imposed upon them, and meekly contnu-
ed to wear it. They crayed greater burdens and
would kiss their very chains. The "Vallcy of ras-
Gals" was annexed and war with all its horrors has
been the result
Such were some of the prominent acts in the histo
y Of this great man acts, which, when taken in con-
nection with his high standing, distinguish him above
all others. In these degenerate days, when men
so scarce in our national councils, when to be man
is to be politically ostracsed, to be the mark at which
the spleen of party is spit, individual who exhibits
these traits or in other words who braves the storm Of
of opposition and dares to stand erect and independ
ent on the foundations of justice and truth, an OBJ
ect worthy our highest mration and esteem, and in
deed might almost say of wonder. But such was
the character of the We would that others might
aspire to his excellence and greatness.
And what was the principle whose lfe-giving nau-
ence was the secret spring of his actions? 1t is said
that somebody once asked him, what were the great
recognised principles of politics. Mr. Adams said,
there are none such None such ? he was asked a
gain. No. for the recognized principles are bad, and
therefore not principles but pecptS. But is not this
at least good one, the greatest good to the greatest
number? No. said Mr.. A., it is the roorst Of all, be-
cause specious and erroneous for in that case what
will the minority do? This is the only rule, The
greatest good of ALL" A sentiment worthy of ever
lasting remembrance and universal adoption. Yea to
be written in letters of fire in the hearts of ALL It was
man who could say that, and it shows plainly his
great ruling principle.
The first political paper ever read whena boy was
Al. d, .l,r
part, and think the first year of Mr. Adams admin
istraton The cry had gone out that his admins
tration should be put down though it pure as
the Angels of God in Heaven" In carrying out a
resolution so nquitous this, it must be supposed
that the actors in the drama would not be very scrupu
lous in their measures. The nature of the case was
such that to insure success, false charges must be
tanned by falsehoods and baseess fabricatons must
be bostered up with materials rotten and corrupt
the superstructure which they were designed to sus-
tain or as vile as the motives which originated them
How could it be otherwise. People hate those worst
whom they abuse most The Patriot took ground with
the opposition and assisted in retailing the charges
of bargain" corruption" and intrigue" against
Mr.. Adams. He was charged with extravaganza "
though his administration cost less than S14,000000
per amum, whereas now $40,000,000 are quite com
mon, aside from our enormous war expenses. The
nature of this opposition made me warm friend Of
Mr.. Adams. took deep interest in his official acts
Probably purer administration has never existed
since Washington's. But the mandate had gone forth
and it was obeyed. Party spirit which had lain dor
mant for years was aroused. Appeals were made to
old prejudces. The political sins Of the father, as
they were called, such the alien and sedtion laws
were visited upon the He called in derision
" John the second" To the disgrace of the country
these paltry schemes succeeded. The President was
too good, too firmly ncorruptble to suit the designs Of
ambitious men.
Then corruption rolled in like flood. Our Presi-
dents since have been Presidents of party and not Of
the people. The degenerate motto that" to the vic
tors belong the spos," was promulgated and adopted
as the rule of action, and has been the governing prin
cple in the distribution of political patronage, in eve
ry succeeding administration. Those great questions
Is he honest? Is he capable ?" discarded, ant
have become nearly obsolete as is the doctrine o
nalienable rights or the objects set forth in the Pre-
H. &C tbn TTp;tnd Tho,