Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-08-05

by the Presidents and their Cabinets They
thus became thoroughly acquainted with
his energy, his sagacty, aud his prudence.
Madison, Monroe, jackson, Van Buren, aud
Polk have given testimony which may not
be questioned without impeachng them of
their estimation of his qualities, by the en-
ployment which have enumerated
The success which has invariably attend
ed all his civil labofs affords still stronger
testimony to his great ability. After this,
it looks like holding up farthing candle to
illuminate a subject all glorious with light
TO add any individual evidence But trivial
as is the authority, IL may be satisfactory to
some who know me, to hear the results of
my own personal observations during Pc
rod of great official intimacy | am a.
shamed to put my Endorsement on Gen.
SCOTS paper, but certainly will not dis
honor H. A more scrupulously honest, hon
orable and Just man. never came IN contact
with me- The instances and proofs were
constant, of daily and hourly occurrence.
Personal enemies he had, although few, yet
never IN his administration of the affairs Of
the army could the slightest indication of
the influence Of enmity or of iavorlism be
discovered in bis official conduct. To the
contrary, instances have fallen under my
own observation, where preference was CIV
en- to an officer known to be nImical, over
one known as bis most devoted friend.
Matters of the gravest Importance, ne
cessarIly, become often the subjects Of con-
sideration aud discussion. On such occa-
sions have been struck by the comprehen-
sNeness and business of his views with
what fidelity he planted himself. as 1t were,
on an emlnence aud calmly surveyed the
whole horizon before HIM, discerning the
least indication Of cloud add watching
the counter-currents and estimating their
direction aud force with saaacity which
could be acquired only by a long expert
ence in public affairs aud a knowledge of
our own as well as European politics, deri-
we'd from profound study
This, lellow-ctizeus, is my testimony ;
take it for what it Is worth rejoice 10
the opportunity of offering 1t, as the dis
charge of duty 1t is at least disinteres-
ted. My political life is ended | neither
wish nor expect ever to hold any Office To
which any pecuniary compensation IS at
tached
Sull my friends, however qualified, pat
tANiAtA anu bNcAlf lux ONt Aailt4tAhttN ulhN nc
whatever the debt of gratitude we owe
'hem, It is impossible for National parties
TO be organized and maintained merely for
lie support of individuals They must be
based on principles common to all who be-
long 10 the party, aud must have in view
the good ofihe whole country Otherwise,
they become factions of the most Danger
Gus character Aware of tins truth The
two great political parties of the country
have recently, by heir respective Con,en-
lions, promulgated the sentiments of each.
On two points Of great interest they have
r directly taken issue.
One of them Is thus presented by Demo
, cratic Convention
/ RcS0iUed, that the Constitution does moi
confer upon the General Government the
= power to commence and carry on a genera
e s. stem of internal Improvements
4 Mark the yaguene-s If not the duplcitl
: of tins resolution. Ihe Convention did no
, dare, in the face Of the history of the Gov
P eminent under all adminlsiralions-Jei ler
/ sou's Madison's and Jacksons, as well a
y othcrs-to deny the power OF the Govern
r ment to carry on some internal Improvement
n Aud 1t aid not dare To provoke the wrath O
n the people by sweeping declaration agalns
q ait such works middle course was a
n dopted, denying the authority OF the Gen
# etal Government To carry on a general rs
IS ton Of internal Improvements as If III
Constitution permitted some, as might b
o dictated by caprice or fayoFltism, bat pro
hibted the regulation aud exercise Of thi
IS important poaer by general principles c
10 equal aud common benefit To the Who'll
country.
p. Every other subject of legislation is, O
n is supposed to be, governed by a genera
Is system the Imposition of duties, appropr
l. alton for public services, the establishment
sc of post-oiiices aud post roads, coasting j
l. ceuses intercourse with foreign nations an
h with Indian tribes, pensions these and e'
N cry other instance oflegIslatiou by our OWL
or any other government, are conducted al
re on general system--governed by generi
as principles. 1t Is not a subyersion of a
ne theory OF government, TO maiutaln that u
of Iefnal improvements only are to be mad
D. without reference TO a general system!
al The declaration of the Wing Conyentio
ne on this subject is as follows;
s. q. The Constitution vests in Cougre,
At the power to open and repair harbors, al
m remove distinctions from navigable rivers
n. aud It is eXpedlent that Congress shall e
Of ercise that power 'ohenerer such inprOr
If. ments are necessary for the Common defeas
ct or for the protection and facihfy ot con
he merce with foreign nations or among ii
sh States; such improvements being, IN eyel
r. instance, national and general in their cha
acier.
m. Daily witnesses of the distractions
ne our noble river, which impede the cor
r. merce of some dozen States, how can az
ss- man among US sanction The evaslve, jesuit
ms cal declaration of the one Convention,
IA. fail heartily to applaud the open, manly, e
di. plicr and constitutions! argument OF Il
he other
As #, however, to give dislInctness al
of meaning TO their resolution, the Democri
led Ic Convention have nominated for the Pre-
DIST dency gentleman who, during his seryl
ht- in Congress, was distinguished more for /
MS lnveterate hostility to all appropriations
The the improvement of harbors aud rivers IN
On for any other political act. Even the linl
vs. ed appropriations which the majority
Du- Democratic Congress voted, aud WIN
,ns Gen. jackson sanctioned. were opposed