Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-25
Whig Young Mems National
Convention Of Ratification.

telIOW w lllUS:- lie w IlES OF
have delegated the undersigned, in their name,
TO solicit your attendance at the Wing Young
Mems National Convention Of Ratification, to be
held in Independence Square in this city, on
Thursday, the 9Th of June next.
Whatever preferences or preiudices may be
entertained, in relation to the candidates for the
Presidency, it is our duty as members of par
ty acting together for patriotic purposes, to sus-
tain the nomination Of the Wing National Con-
vention. The preservation Of the Wing organ
ization, at all times important, and the malnten-
ance OF its harmony and unity OF action, are now
demanded by every consideration, which can in
huence all, alive to the momenous issues of the
approaching Presidential contest, and the con-
sequences to flow from their arbltramont. The
destiny Of the nation and The character of its in
stltutions will be permanently affected by the
result of,his struggle. Distracted, divided and
discordant, we shall fall before the onset of
powerful opposition, animated by the hope of re-
tanning power, and insigatcd to eXcrtion by the
rewards Of active parlisanshlp. United, firm and
resolute, and inspired by the purest and most ell
evated ambtion-that of rescung our beloved
country from the perls which envelope her no
combination however strongly cemented by
selfish purposes, can prevail against us.
AS band OF brethren, then, prepared 10 sur
render every private feeling, we invoke you TO
assemble with us on the cousecrated ground
where the Declaration was first proclaimed,
which gave us place among the Independent
nations Of the earth. There, after the example
Of our ancestors, and in the saUe spirit of devo-
ton to Republican Liberty and Constitutional
Government, which actuated them, let us devote
ourselves TO contest involving the principles to
the support Of which they pledged their lives, Their
fortunes, and their sacred honor. There let US
show our regard for their illustrous memories
by engaging in an effort to vindicate, and res
tore to its pristine purity, the Constitution, which
crowned the suflerngs and patriotism of the war
of Independence.
You need no appeal from us, as an incentive
10 action. The history of the present Federal
Administration, from It's origin to the present
time, with its disastrous influence upon the trade,
commerce and character of the nation is sufii-
Client, of ITSELF to arouse the most apalhetic 10
sense fduty. That guarantee Of prosperity and
induslry-thc Protective Tariff Act of 1872
which, during lis existence, repenished an en-
hausted treasury with revenue and brought back
comfort and employment 10 the home Of the la
borer, was Frustrated by Congress, at the dicta-
ton of an Executive, whose followers had pledg-
ed MIN to its support. In lis repeal, the known
wishes OF the people were disregarded, and the
most solemn promises violated, with reckless.
ness hitherto unknown to the laws of honorable
political warfare.
Cp'diSlll W thG piCuOtS Ol u pdIllSdU CduCuS,
rather than to the duties of his station, and the
national interests the Executive next sought to
plunge us into war with England, for the sake
OF few acres Of wild waste ard mountain land,
beyond the line of forty degrees, III the ster
lie and uncultvated region Of the Oregon
Fooled in this attempt, by the frmness of the
Senate, and apparently insti9ated by a destruc-
tive passion, upon question Of diplomatic Ell
quelte, by his own act, and without consultation
with the war-making power, he commences hos
tillties with the Republic Of Mexico. From time
to time, through his official organ, he has avowcd
his intention 10 prosecute the contest, until the
nationality OF Mexico is eXtlnguished and its In
dependence is absorbed in the American Union.
Whatever may be our opinions as to the cause OF
this war, as Wings, we are unanimous against
the right of the Executive, to engage the nation
in hos,ilites, without the previous assent OF Con
gress, which body the Constitution has exclusive
Iy invested with the power to make and declare
war. Against schemes Of conquest and spolia-
ton on the part of this Government, we protest
in the same terms, that we would apply 10 the
unholy invasion of Poland, by the despotic SOW.
ereigns, who have parceled her bleeding re-
mains amongst themselves, and upon whose
chimes fearful retrlbutlon is now being infilc-
ted by a people, driven 10 resistance by long
continued outrage.
Apparently determined to obstruct every ef
fort upon the part Of the representatives OF the
people, TO promote the interests Of their constit-
uents, the Executive has vetoed bills appropria-
ting money for the repair and construction OF
harbors on the stOrm-swept coasts of the north
ern lakes, and the Atlantic border, and for the
protection of human lite on the western waters,
by the removal Of distractions from the chan
nes of the great rivers. ln consequence of this
unjustifable interference Of the Executive with
the action OF Congress, upon domestic questions,
hundreds Of valuable lives have been lost, and
millions of properly destroyed, and the shores Of
,he Lakes are now nearly bereit Of artificial ha-
vens.
1t is in vain to deny it; the forms of a Repub.
lie alone survive. We are governed by the will
Of one man. The voice OF the people, as ex-
pressed through their representatives, is set at
nought. The constitutional privileges of Con
gress are no longer respected, and the passions
and prejudces of single individual at no time
distinguished by any high attributes Of mind or
character, now sway the fortunes of this country.
Shall we suffer the Constitution to be thus viz.
lated with impunity? Shall we, when the Old
World is arousing itself against the ONE MAN
POWER, calmly permit that odious instrument
of popular oppression 10 be established on the
ruins of our republican Institutions? AT least
let 1t never be said Of us, Wings, that we slum-
bered wien the tocsin Of national peril was
sounding in our ears. Let us raise tie banner
of Popular Privilege, and wage an extermina-
ting war against this enormous Executive Pre-
Togative, that threatens TO overthrow, and crush
beneath it, the coordinate branches Of the GOV.
eminent.
We cherish The glory that has been reflected
upon the nation, by the brilliant achievements OF
our army, in the Victories which, in despite OF
the faults OF the Administration, have lighted up
It's progress, from the Gulf TO the Sierras that en-
compass the memorable field Of Buena Vista
and The table land ON which the City Of Mexico
stands. In common with ALL but the instruments
Of power we are indignant at the wrongs of the
"Heheral, whose valor and skill led our troops 10
triumph, against the most appalling odds. While
1.-The country was yet reNounding with acclama-
Itlon OF his unparalleled actions, we have wit
messed with the deepest humiliation, an effort
Glnade in Congress to deprive one OF even the
empty honor OF congratulatory vote, and sub
sse9nently, a recommendation fro, % the Execu.
tive TO supersede him in command, ~ a person
who had never set squadron in the field. Ev-
ely'mall now brings the proceedings Of = Court,
xealed Tor The purpose Of destroying the repu-
&lnn OF another General, whose Victories. in
'caSers, have filled the world with his fame.
Age,nst an Administration, thus lost TO every
! 0reble Impulse, dead to every patriotic emo.