Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-01
Virginia Aristocracy.

The following speech of Henry A. Wise in
the Virginia Convention, we find reported in a
Richmond paper. 1t IS a racy and most elo-
quent defence of Radicalism, and we'll calcula-
ted to stir up the dry horns and loose rubbish of
a decayed aristocracy, which still exists in some
portion Of the Old Dominion, and is cherished
with all the veneration felt for an ancient ruin.
Many Of her people are too proud to labor,
and have reduced themselves to the ridiculous
position of supporting their pride on the reputa-
ton of their ancestoTs--they are too proud to
depend upon the labor of the upstart nobodies,
whom they look down upon with such lofty
contempt. There is no better example of the
absurdity and ruinous tendency Of aristocratic
distinctions than is exhibited in the present con-
dition of Virginia, and there is no field which
will produce ricier and more abundant crop
Of wealth and prosperity from the seeds of radi-
calism than this. Mr. Wise has entered the
field, and strikes with strong arm.
Mr.. W1sE.--Ihe gentleman spoke yesterday
Of the spirit of radicaism, and SAID it desired to
90 with the rapldity of electricity over the earth.
Does the gentIman know what was said to
King John at the battle of Runneymede Mark
you, am attacking principles. Does he re-
member what has been consecrated by Bitish
poetry, when he was told,
g He is a traitor to his native land,
traitor to mankind, who in a c1use
That down the course time will fire tn world,
Rides not upon the lightning OF the sky,
To save his country"
And may God in his mercy save this State and
this country from every root, every tenlrl of a
root of such msnamed arlstocracy and misnom-
ed monarchy and conservatism. Ile;eaftert shlll
be called by its true name, monarchy and aris-
tocracy. come here to eradicate every part
and parcel Of it. would hunt for it rs would
for terra ricca"-I would not leave a ve5tire
Of the plant in the land, before the operations
of my husbandly, Flowing in that ground |
will set my coulter deep--and was told this
morning that get my coulter very deep, and
so help me God, mean to go down below the
sub .soil-and then will use cuhivator, harrow
and rake; and it shall not be only the labor Of
machinery, but man with pains taking, close in
specting labor. So help me God in this patriot.
ic duty, will get down upon my knees to ma
nipulate the work. deny here, that there is
a particle of atistocracy or monarchy necessary
to welI-being or society, either of person o
property. deny it. I vindcate American
liberty. Here standing in the Capitol Of Vir
ginia, in the name Of my forcfathers-in tn
name of my children-in the name of my owl
right-in the name of the dignity of human ma
ture, and the authority of that reason and con
science, which asslmlates me to my God
deny that doctrine, and here repol it. than
the gentleman for nerving my sides to the pa
tent labor, Sir, you and are antipodes in on
principles, Your doctrines have been for sey
enty odd years too much regarded I mu;
speak plainly among our people, especially Eas
of the mountains of Virginia. Thank God ever
evil cures itself, There was once day. whe
the NrIstocracy in the State of Virginia wor
white topped boots, and ruffs and powdere
hair. There was once day, when white me
could stand at the door, with hat under arm, an
bow to that aristocracy as it rolled by in Oym
pic chariot, casting its dust into the eyes of thu
people; but now in poor old Virginia to be talk
ing about aristocracy, when it IS so poor, tina
none are so poor as to do it reverence.-t Laugh
teri