Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-04-20
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
Coy. EalOn'S Proclamation,


Mr.. EDIToR:-In your remarks on the Cows Proc
amation for fast, last week-you suggest the addi-
ton of one or two specifications of yen-daring
sins of which the nation is now guilty &c.
Now sir the Governors proclamation admits both
of excuse and defence and as he is my old townsman
and neighbor, feel bound to "come to the rescue"
and rebuke you for thus presumng to encroach upon
the prerogative of His Excellency He is not "Gov
ernor of the "natlon," and what has he to do with
national "sials" or national "Scomges?" TO be sure
other Governors frequently go out of their way, and
descant freely such subjects but then They not
SO modest and unassuming Governor Eaton, nor so
famed for "mOdel messages"
His proclamation is to the people ofVeuont alone.
He does not even hint that any body in Vermont has
or can have, by any possibility, any responsibility in
relation to- interest in national affairs and they
are thus virtually presumed to be independent of these
interests, it would be work of supererogation to
speak of them.
Governor Eaton has among his many virtues large
bump Of caution, which you will allow is a very com
mendable qualification in some cases, and perhaps
would benefit some of us Hotspur reformers; though
believe it is not Always a virtue lie also has the
eaciagS, derived from the examples and fate of 9th
ers to warn him to be wary of his words, and eau
tious how he commits himself on subjects which are
so unpopular among his party supporters to endan-
ger his political prospects, if he should throw out
much of a bone; and he is "go0d Scholar" as the
proclamation shows.
Governor Sladc, you know, was too much of an alb
olitionist and while in Congress made too many anti
slavery speeches to suit the whig demagogues who
rule Vermont Besides he is IN ont spoken advocate
of Temperance before all the worlds and never
would shrink from any responsible position imposed
upon him by temperance men, not even, we presume,
from that of "AntLicense Commissioners" for fear
Of losing votes. Consequently these understanding
demagogues, made him Governor to get rid of him
and after two years in that Office threw him overheard
His fate is a warning to his successor.
The recent vote on the license question in Vermont
is also a warning to him to beware how he NEEDLES
with this delicate subject" especially in such time
as this when the wings are about to marshal their
forces for another desperate contest for power not
say any thing of his own prospect next September
OuIGIy He SHouu Dc CoulHGHueu loI MS uucIlCc uu
moloraton and his party will be the last to find fault
with any such sins of omission
lie, therefore, like way-wis} and prudent man,
steers clear of particulars, and dwells in world Of
common place, inoIensiye gengalies. 1t might per-
haps compromise the dignity of Vermont whiggery to
descend to such low particulars as the evils of ,ca
slavery and intempaancc.
lie is particular though, to suggest that the people
pray for good crop nert fi and that they may enjoy
good health to eat it up, with thankful hearts. Now,
though there is degree Of scfishness in this, yet
you cannot deny that good crops and good health are
very desirable and necessary, and could be recon-
mended sqiely to all, without compromising self or
party. These objects looked after, why should the
Governor travel beyond the record to look after the
victims of slavery, war and intemperance?
Another consideration may be advanced, "Charity,"
it is said, "JeginS at home" As general thing,
believe it ends there. At any rate the Governor may
think that the stock on hand, of this article, in Yer
mont, is so small as to be hardly sufficient to meet the
home demand and if so, he very wisely and consid-
erately avoids recommending any thing which will
tend to diminish the supply by divertng it to other
markets. l think, Mr.. Editor, when you take the
"sober second thought" and look cooly at the actual
state of the market in Vermont you will see that the
Governors policy is based upon deep insight into
the actual ratio Of supply and demand for home con-
sumption; and therefore, he also deserves credit for
his sagacty, and farsighted regard for the best in
terests of the state as well for his prudence, mod
Grafton and non commitalism
Besides all this, by careful reading of the procla-
nation you will that it really contains three stretch
able phrases, to wit "high and sacred obligations
countless sins'and call our cherished and precious
interests" which may be so stretched as to cover ma
hOnaI obligations sins, &c, and from which, it may
be presumed that the Governor thought of more than
he expressed, else they mere 'rhetorca flour
shcs"
Probably you felt little sighted because you were
not furnished officially with the Proclamation, and
wrote what you did under the influence of this feel
ing, and therefore did not reflect that there may be
t,vO sides to a question
would by no means have any one suppose that
write thus because deem the Governor unable to de-
end himself, but his modesy maymepent his doing So,
and therefore have volunteered what believe to be
the best, and only true defence which the case ad-
mits of,
Seriously and earnestly, do hope in God that the
time will come ere long, when the Governors of Yer
mont and other states will be bold enough to speak
and act like true men, unbiased by any narrow, selfish
party views, on all questions which involve the well
fare of man.
Yours truly, A. II. B.
Boston, April Sd, l648.
would not insnnate that Governor Eaton is not
personally good temperance man; but only that he
is very prudent in his advocacy of the cause and par
ticulary inoffensive.
For the Freeman.