The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-08-15
SENATOR PHELPS'S LETTER TO
THE STATE CONVENTION.

III O1A1E JUN v ENI1ON.
(The following letter, read before the
State Convention. at Woodstock, on the 10Th
ult.. will be duly weighed by every freeman
of Vermont, who desires the triumph oil
Wing principles Judge Phelps is one of
the most prominent and influential members
of the U, S. Senate, and his popularity,
throughout the State, will give a great
weight TO all he says on the Presidential
queslion.)
CITY OF WASHINGTON, July II, 1913.
My DEAR SIR 81 regret much that my
duties here forbid my being present at the
ensuing Wing Convention, 10 be held at
Woodstock on The 18th inst. 1t would be
extremely gratifying 10 meet my fellow citi-
Zens OF Vermont on such an occasion. But
the times demand that every man should be
at his posi-, whether that post be public sta
lion, or the position oil a private citizen at
tached 10 and duly estimating our inslitu
liens, and duly sensible of the great duty of
transmitting them unimpaired TO posterity.
In common with the great mass Of the
Wings ofthis Union. have watched with
pain, with anxiety and alarm, the downward
course ol'afiairs in our Republic. and the mis-
guided and infatuated policy ollhe party now
in power, Weare all deeply sensible of the
indispensable necessity Of change in that
policy. 10 Tie honor, prosperity, happiness
and integrity Of the country.
The grounds of this opinion need moi be E.
Enumerated. They are known TO every intel
ligent Wbig of the Union. Recent events
have exhibited the tendency of the present
administration OF affairs in lis most appalling
aspect. The spirit Of acquisIion-ot militia
~ conquest, which is the prominent feature
OF the policy of the present administration.
and which seeks 10 bring into our political
family All homogeneous population Of different
races, habits and sentiments, both political
and religious, population which can neith>
er harmonic wiki US, nor be made TO under
stand our political system, and equally IN
competent 10 carry out the free principles Of
our Constitution as they have proved TO be TO
govern themselves under similar institutions,
tends strongly to weaken the bonds Of our
Union and hasten its dissolution. Nor is this
the worst. The agitaling and perplexing
questions growing out Of these acquisitions
questions which can neither be avoided
nor adjusted-which, it is to be feared, can
neither be compromised or settled satlsiaclo-
rily 10 all by a voice of the majority, ques-
lions Of endless and angry discussion, invol-
wing on the one hand considerations OF deep
moral conviction which cannot be surrender
ed, and on The other considerations interwo-
ven with the very foundation OF the socinl
system oil a portion of these States, and
threatening its very existence, questions
with respect 10 which one party cannot Sc
cede without an abandonment OF principle,
nor the other without hazard, rs they think,
to their whole social system-questions for
tilted on one side by principle, and the other
by countervniling and stringent necessity
these questions afford stronger ground for a.
Iarm in regard TO the permanency Of onr in
situations and our Union, than any and every
source OF agitation and dissension which has
occurred since The formation of that Union
What is worse, this topic oil Slavery, invol-
wing great moral question, is at The same
time local distinction, separating different
portions of our country by line impossible
with honor or consistency. az each party
seems to thiak, by itself at all events.
This unfortunate controversy, involving
evils which transcend infinitely the advanta-
ges which the most sanguiAe Imagination
can imagine from our territorial acquisitions,
is one of the first fruits OF This career OF acqui
sition and conquest which commenced with
the annexation Of Texas andis consummaied
(if indeed it be yet consummaled) with the
conquest OF great portion Of Mexico. 1t is
greatly to be feared that the spirit of acquisi
ton is not satisfied. liza change is not eilec-
ted in the policy Of the Government, il will a
wake 10 new enterprises. And while it en-
dangers the Union by endeavoring TO COM
biDe under il heterogeneous and irreconcia-
BILE elements, it must inevitably work, as IL
has done already, 10 an alarming extent,
radical change in the genius and character
OF our Government. II is impossible TO en-
graft upon the limited powers of the execu-
tive magistrate oCthe Constitution the pow
ers ola military conqueror, without adding
10 the already dangerous power Cf that exec
utive, and 10 that ascendency OF executive
power over the other departments o: Gov
eminent which originated in the bold and in
flexible character OF Andrew Jackson, and
has gradually assumed more alarming NJ,
tituje from that day TO the present. The in
discriminate and reckless use of the Veto
power, TO further the private or personal
views of the President, backed by The i'm
mense patronage at his command, patron
age immensely increased by great military
establishment and vide TERRITORIAL possessiOns'
has already subjected the legislative power
10 an alarming extent 10 his control.
The executive has OF late assumed dc
ia:orihl position from which Washington
and Jefferson and Madison slrunk. These
tendencies TO The destroyin ofihe balance oil
the Constitution will be increased by con
linuance ofpower in the DOW dominant party
as the spirit Of party becomes rabid by indul-
gence, and more reckless with an INCREASING
sense of security.
say nothing Of those measures of intern
al policy so often and so fully discussed. with
respect TO which the policy Of the so-called
Democratic party is condemned by the great
Wing party Of The Union, and mos; emphall-
calIv by the Wings of Vermont.
We are all sensible oil the necessity oil a
change. But permit me 10 add, we must be
equally sensible, if we would break the scep-
tire of that party which has so long ruled
this country as with rod of iron, fihe ne
cessity on our part OF union, harmony ana
concerted action.
Discussions among our opponents-dis-
sensions not likely to be healed-now present