The Litchfield County Post

Many persons set up, and attempt to maintain, a distinction between moral and political honesty. They profess to be horror struck at any supposed aberration from the former principle, while the motto, "all's fair in politics," or "the end will justify the means," is either quoted or acted upon, to justify every deviation from the latter. For ourselves we are so puritanic, that we believe a political lie is as strong an evidence of rottenness of heart, as any other kind of lie; and the man who indulges in them, under the specious plea that "all is fair in politics," is either morally dishonest, and hence not to be trusted, or he has never had any temptation for an indulgence in open iniquity placed in his way. We understand the definition of the word "Lie," to be, "to deceive," "to utter a criminal falsehood." &c. and we can see no reason why deception practised in relation to our dearest rights as freemen, is not as criminal, and even more so, than that which relates simply to our individual or pecuniary interests. All the broad political assertions of the present day cannot be true, for they are as contrary, one with the other, as light and darkness; and as the presidential election approaches, they thicken upon us in a most disgusting manner. Falsehoods the most barefaced and unblushing are published and re-published with a recklessness which seems to set truth and candor at defiance. And yet the men who lend their pens to work such political iniquity, pride themselves in their professed moral rectitude, as tho' no stain of falsehood could be found upon their character. We do not pretend that this iniquity is exclusively confined to either of the political parties in our country-it has arisen to too high a pitch to attach exclusively to any one set of men: and we really need but for strong political articles in the present day, from whatever source they may come, that we place confidence in. If one quarter of what is said against Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, and Gen. Jackson, be really true, instead of giving them offices of trust, they ought to be driven in disgrace from society. It ought to be the first act of every honest patriot, to rise in indignation, and wipe off the stain which attaches to us as a nation for having heretofore placed these men in situations where they could thus disgrace our country.

This is no high wrought picture. True we may be a "green horn in politics,''-not to consider that these stories are simply told to create effect now, and not to be handed down to posterity; but a precious legacy we shall hand down to our children, in the moral depravity and utter disregard to truth which grows out of such proceedings, as well as in the remembrance that their fathers were as notorious a set of liars as ever disgraced humanity. This lying spirit which has gone forth into our land, entering into hundreds and thousands of our political leaders, we do honestly believe was called up from the vast deep, by the first supporters of Andrew Jackson. Lying was not necessary in the friends of Mr. Adams. He had long been before the public--long enjoyed the confidence of the people-and for many years has been held in high estimation by the fathers and rulers of our country, and by them placed in high and responsible stations. Not so with his opponent. No one act of his life can be named in proof of his qualifications as a statesman. And as a soldier, every one of his public acts, except the battle of New Orleans, has excited in the breast of thousands and tens of thousands of our most intelligent citizens, emotions of distrust and alarm. He is supported for the presidency simply on the ground of his being a brave soldier. These things, taken in connexion with the profane declaration of Mr. Senator Benton, one of his ablest champions, and made immediately after the election of Mr. Adams, that "this administration must be put down, though it be as pure as the angels around the throne of God," prove incontestibly that, as base measures must always be supported by base means, the spirit of open, reckless lying, originated, as it has been kept up by, the opposition.-- That such an infernal assertion as is above quoted, was made by Mr. Benton, we have not only the testimony of Mr. Seaton, one of the editors of the National Intelligencer, a man who has lived too long in the world to risk his high standing upon the publication of a falsehood, but we have the very acts of the opposition for the accomplishment of this object-acts founded upon exactly such a spirit as could utter a like blasphemous sentiment. We do not assert or believe that this disgraceful and iniquitous course has been confined exclusively to the ranks of the opposition; but there it has grown most luxuriant and put forth the greatest number of buds and blossoms; and the fruit, should there be any, we fear would be like that of the cockatrice's eggs, a fiery flying serpent. We might mention cases of unblushing falsehood in our own state; but we forbear. The men who have commenced this course of falsehood, have an object in view; and until all hope of their success is taken away by the next election, they will persist in it, however it may disgust and offend every virtuous man in community.

"However, it is to be regretted, and no one can lament it more than I do, still the fact is so, that things have come to this result, that every elector is called on to decide which of the two parties he will join, the Administration, composed of tolerationists and trimmers, the shreds, patches and fag-ends of all factions, or the opposition, comprising most of the old democrats already, and will soon embrace all of them worth having, with a proportion of the honest federalists."

"I shall go with the Jackson party, and so will most of the old democrats in LITCHFIELD COUNTY."

The above are extracts from a communication in the last Hartford Times, and really they are worth preserving. Now for a few years past, in this state it has been one of the easiest things in the world to make a federalist or a democrat of any man. This could be done not only by the speaking of a word, but even by a nod of the head or motion of the hand. As one of these important "I's" said to us once,"if Orange Merwin consents to stand as a candidate for Congress, WE shall put him with the federalists and treat him as such." The same magic power which placed this gentleman "among the federalists," placed his opponent "among the democrats," and attempted to treat him as such; but it would not go with the people; hence he stands where he does, as one of the "old democrats of Litchfield county," who will "go with the Jackson party," and who will very probably carry some ten or a dozen of his professional brethren of the same political school with him.

Mem. "Tolerationist"—a political bug-bear of modern date—a sort of scare-crow, intended to keep all "old democrats" close within the Jackson ranks—a principal ingredient in the administration party.—"Trimmers,"—turn-coats, those who change sides to get with the strongest party—a different race of men from "Tolerationists" altogether—since one is a "scare-crow," and the other a "turn-coat."—"Shreds, patches, and fag-ends," something like the Gibeonites we reckon—"hewers of wood and drawers of water" or "tolerationists and trimmers;"—and here we have the friends of the administration in Litchfield county, entire, and a doubtful set they make most assuredly. "Old democrats"—men who, in "Jefferson's day," fought, and bled, and died, for "the good of the party;" and who, in 1819,—a year of glorious memory,—lived again, to share in the "loaves and fishes" just then wrested from their old enemies. Although like "angels' visits, few and far between," they are not the less worthy on that account, or their influence the less weighty and powerful; and notwithstanding the "fag ends of all factions," with which they are called to contend, presents a mighty host, yet David like, they will, at the next election, either slay their tens, and if need be, their hundreds, to one, and thus give the vote of the state to the Military Chieftain, or gloriously die again, to revive only at the next political revolution. Thus, gentle reader, you see just where you stand; the old ship which has carried "the party" triumphantly through some eight or ten elections, having become leaky and worm-eaten, is sunk, hull, rigging and all. A few of the bravest of her crew having fortunately escaped on board the staunch brig, "Andrew Jackson," are now throwing out tow-lines, and inviting you to seek the same means of safety.—The names of the sub-commanders of the brig, belonging to this county, are not published; but you may rest assured that there is not a "tolerationist" or "trimmer" among them, unless they have gone in under false colors—which by the way would be very like them indeed.—But the judge, the ex-sheriff, and Gideon, are determined to purify the "new republican party" from all the "filth and scum" which unfortunately attached to the old, and these men will soon be found out and cast overboard, notwithstanding all the disguises they may wear. You have therefore every inducement to lay hold of the rope and climb on board, and when the brig arrives safe in shore, "it will make de fine times for de poor people, I'll tell ye."

We must be excused for inserting a few of the toasts drank at the Jackson celebration on the 4th at Hartford: not because there is much either of wit, wisdom, or magnanimity expressed in them; but as an evidence of the means used to sustain a desperate cause in this state. We know not how many persons were present on the occasion, but this we know, that in most places in our country, a hickory branch and a barrel of whiskey will call together people enough on any day, and especially on the fourth of July, to make considerable noise at least. The regular toasts are in exact accordance with the spirit of the Jackson address. We shall extract a few of the volunteers.

By Rev. Menzies Rayner, (Chaplain of the day.)—In matters of religious faith we acknowledge no human dictator, and bow to the decision of no earthly tribunal, whether in England or Turkey, Spain, or LITCHFIELD COUNTY.

The universalist Jackson "Chaplain" flutters at the late decision in this county like a wounded hawk,—we might say pigeon, but can hardly persuade ourself that a champion of universalism possesses sufficient comeliness to entitle him to a comparison with that gentle bird.

By the Hon. John Thompson Peters.—Toleration—May the prophetic language of our first Governor never be forgotten—that this part of the world is provided as a refuge for all sorts of consciences!

No wonder the Judge is a Jackson man, since the Hero has not been remarkably celebrated for setting aside verdicts—witness the execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister.

By Noah A. Phelps, Esq. (Orator of the day.) New-England—May she never so far sacrifice principle to selfishness as to prefer the "Boston Bramble," to the "American Hickory."

Pretty good shot, for a random one—but the Hickory has heretofore presented the most destructive thorns.

By Ira E. Smith, Esq.—John Quincy Adams, the calumniator of Jefferson, an apostate federalist, a president by corrupt practices—he was never the choice of the people, and never will be elected by them.

A great deal is said about "apostate federalists" in these days—were there any such at the table—are any of them friends to the Hero—we only ask the question.

By a Gentleman of Berlin. The Coalition Leaders of Connecticut—Aristocrats, apostate federalists, tolerationists, office-seekers, trimmers, and shufflers, associated for selfish purposes, they have disregarded the wishes and interests of the people to promote their ambitious projects; the 6th of April next will witness their defeat, and the places which now know them, will know them no more forever.

Wonder why the Berlin gentleman's name was not mentioned; we suspect his picture was drawn from life—the originals being then seated around him at the table.
By Capt. James S. Ruggles.—The late State Election—Although defeated by an unprincipled coalition of the refuse of all parties, we justly pride ourselves in the unbending integrity of such men as Niles and Crawford.

Where were the "parties," that the "refuse" should be allowed to perform such mighty deeds. We do not know about Mr. Crawford, but Judge Niles will unquestionably be known to the people as a candidate for office, for many years to come.

By Mr. John Russell.—The Cabinet—Who would think of employing a Barbour to manufacture their Cabinet Furniture, from such materials as Clay and Rush-es, moistened with Porter.

Rather bad grammar for a printer, but the honest zeal of the patriot against such vile men as are above italicised, rendered him regardless of that. The matter was all that he wanted.

By Capt. Enoch Powers.—Our next President—May he give the lie to the ten thousand foul aspersions which have been so copiously lavished upon his character, by presiding with more honor over the councils and destinies of the nation than either of his predecessors.

We never heard of this Capt. Powers before; but if he thinks Jackson superior to all who have gone before him, we "reckon" he has got faith enough to enable him to see through a millstone at least.

We might multiply these precious scraps, but the above will suffice to prove that the sentiment must have at least passed through the mind, even if it were not uttered to an elbow neighbour, we wish that sayings would really make these things so." But these toasts were not delivered for the benefit of those present—no, there was more of good sense and benevolence there than that,—they were uttered and published for the good of the poor deluded people of the state, who are groaning under the mis-rule of officers of their own choice. How kind and disinterested.

It must be gratifying to Mr. Adams to know that his course is approved of, and his measures supported, by men whose character and patriotism have placed them at an almost infinite remove from any injurious effects from the vulgar attacks of disappointed office seekers. Chief Justice Marshall has publicly declared himself the friend and supporter of Mr. Adams, and for this manly conduct has secured to himself a full share of abuse from the Jackson presses. To the testimony of this great and good man, which outweighs the whole force of the opposition, we have now to add that of his associate on the bench, Judge Washington, the favorite nephew and friend of the Illustrious Father of his Country. The letter is dated at Mount Vernon, the residence and burial place of George Washington, and in an answer to the anti Jackson Committee of Correspondence, requesting that his name may be used as one of their number :

Mount Vernon, June 17, 1828.

To John C. Hunter, Esq. Chairman, &c.

Dear Sir—I have received your letter of the 16th, in which you communicate the unanimous wish of the Anti-Jackson corresponding Committee for Fairfax county, that I would allow myself to be considered a member of that body.

Believing that the utmost purity of conduct attended the election of Mr. John Q. Adams to the office which he now holds, and has so ably administered, I have never hesitated, when a fit occasion offered, to express my sentiments in favor of his re-election to the Presidential Chair : I should, of course, accede to the wish of the Committee, if, by doing so, I could promote the object which they have in view. But expecting soon to leave this county, not to return to it until after the election has passed, I shall but nominally occupy a place in that body, which might be beneficially filled by some more efficient member.

With a due sense of the honor which the Committee have conferred upon me, and with sentiments of very great respect and esteem for yourself,

I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant.

BUSHROD WASHINGTON.

Now we know that with men determined to put the administration down, "though as pure as the angels" &c. the testimony of a thousand such men would be like "casting pearls before swine;" but with the moderate and reflecting portion of community, it must and will have its full and proper influence. Such we believe to be a large majority of the freemen of Connecticut, and hence our confidence that the splenetic effusions of the Hartford Jacksonians will excite their disgust rather than their approbation.