Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-08-06

uiSIOIlDT IL. n HlOlC SClupulOuSly HOnCSls lspu-
orabe and Just man, never came Ill contact
with me. The instances and proofs were con-
stant, of daily and hourly occurrence. Per-
sona enemies he had, although few, yet never
in his administration of the affairs of the army
could the slightest indication of the influence
of cnmity or of tavorlsm be discove red in his
official conduct 70 the contrary, instances
have fallen under my own observation where
preference was given to an officer known to be
inlmical, over one known as his most devoted
friend.
Matters of the gravcst importance, ncccssa-
rily, become often the subjects of consideration
and discussion. On such occasions have been
struck by the comprchcnsivcncss and iustness
of his views with what fidelity he planted
himself, as it were, on an emncnce and calm
ly surveyed the whole horizon before him, dis
cernlnT the least indication of cloud and
watching the counter-currCns and estimating
their direction and force with a sacacity which
could be acquired only by long experience
in public affairs and a knowledge of our own
as well as European politics, derived from pro-
found study.
This, fellow citizens, is my testimony take
it for what it is worth. | rejoice in the oppor-
tunty of offering it, as the discharge of duty
1t is at least dsinterested. My political life is
ended. ] neither wish nor expect ever to hold
any Office to which any pecunary compensa-
tlon is attached.
Still, my friends, however qualified, patriot
ic and deserving our candidates NAV be, what
ever the debt OF gratitude we owe them, it is
impossible for National parties 10 be organized
and maintained merely FOR the support of indi-
viduas. They must be based on principles
common to all who belong to the party, and
must have in view the good of the whole cOun-
try. Otherwise, they become factions, of the
most dangerous character Aware of this
truth, the two great political parties of the
country have recently, by their respective Con-
vertions, promulgated the sentiments of each.
On two points of great interest they have d-
rec;ly taken issue.
One of them is thus presented by the Dem
ocratic Convention:
HcSnircd, Tina, the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power to com
mrncr and carry on a general system OF Internal
IN provements.
Mark the vaguencss if not the duplici'y of
this resolution. The Convention did not dare,
in the face of the history OF the Government
under all observation-disclosures Mad
sons and JaCksOn's, as well as others-tO de-
ny the power of the Government to carry on
>0Hie internal improvements. And it did not
dare to provoke the wrath of the people by a
sweeping declaration against al such works.
a middle course was adopted, denying the du-
tLority Of the General Government to carry on
a gCHcr0I system Of internal Improvements as
| the Constitution permitted some, as might be
uictaled by caprice or iavortism, but prohibited
he regulation and exercise OF this important
power by general principles OF equal and COM
mon benefit TO the whole country.
Every other subject of legislation is, or is
supposed to be, governed bya general system !;
imposition OF duties, appropriation for pub
hc services, the establishment of post-occs
and post roads, coastng licenses, intercourse
with foreign nations and with Indian tribes,
cnsons: these and every other instance OF
Il gIsIation by our own, or any other govern>
mcn,, are conducted upon a general system
governed by general principles. Is it not a
subyersion Of all theory of government, TO main-
tain that internal improvements only are to be
made without reference to a general system
The declaration OF the Wing Convention on
this subject is as follows:
g. The Constitution vests IN Congress the power
to open aud repair harOors. and remove distractions
from uavlGahc rivers and II IS cAptdIent that Con
grcss shall exercise that power ThcH''T %Hch nm
pyDrcmrniS ARE HeccSSGrV tOr thc COmHGn dctcRSc,
~ ior Hc Jroicc!ioH amt fdciHy NJ commerce with
mrrlgu ualIuus or among the states; sucn rmprovc-
u'uts hrug III rFery instance maliolaI aad general
n their Character.
Daily witnesses Of the distractions OF our
noble rivers, which Impede the commerce OF
some dozen States, how can any man among
us sancion'the evasive, jcsuiticaI declaration
Of the one Convention, or fail heartily to APP
plaud thc open, manly, explicit and constitu>
| ti0nal argument of the other
As if, however, to give diStinctness and
meaning to their resolution, the Democratic
! Convention have nominated for the Presidency
a gentlemen who, during his service in Con
gress, was distinguished more for his nvetcr-
ate hostility to all appropriations for the i'm
provemeut of harbors and rivers than for any
other political act. Even the limited appropri-
aiuns which the majority of Democratic Con-
grasses voted, and whicn Gen. jackson sane
toned were opposed by Gen. Pierce. Is il moi
amazing that candidate with such sentiments
who would be bound by his convictions of duty
to veto every bill of that character, should be
presented for the sullrages of the men who sc
! recently at Chicago, either personally or by
their representatives, demanded the exercise o
this power by Congress, AS one not only clear
" given by the Constitution, but as duty i'm
perativeIy required by that instrument? The
citizens whose annual losses by lhe want o
harbors are counted by millions, and the iam
lies who have been bcreavcd of fathers ant
brothers by the same cause, together with Tn
multitude of traders, merchants, lorwarders ant
producers, whose business is hampered and EN-
barrassed by the distractions of our navlgabl'
rivers, are cmphatlcally called upon to cas-
their votes at the ensuing election with refer
ence to the certainty that the existing evils o
which they complain will be continued by Gen
eral Pierce.
On the subject of the protection of our owl
industry against the power of foreign capita
, the TWO Conventions are also at issue. In
Democratic resolution assumes what all FAC
+ and all history disprove, that such protectlo
fosters one branch Of industry at the expense c
another, and cherishes the interests OF one POI
lion of the country TO the injury OF another.
/ is notorious that in our widespread country
with climates varying so as to be adapted to a
, the varieties of human production, the lntc'
e. change of these products is calculated to pro
mote the interest Of all. And it is cquall
5 known that no country can flourish without
/ variety of industrial pursuits; that agrcullu'
- is connected with and dependent on manulat
4 lures, and commerce upon both. But this
Y not the occasion to discuss these matters Nu