Now, as a means to effect a revolution, for the first time, have a few designing men endeavored to excite alarm-- they have indeed excited alarm--sober men of their own party are alarmed--honest men, who are not misguided, see the whole…
David Daggett
The Public Record
David Daggett was a U.S. senator, mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, Judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors, and a founder of the Yale Law School. He helped block plans for the first college for African Americans in the United States and presided over the conviction of a woman running a boarding school for African Americans in violation of Connecticut's recently passed Black Law. He judged African Americans not to be citizens and supported their colonization to Africa.
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Never till this year have we heard, or even suspected that our state was governed by lawless mobs.
It is a fact as well authenticated as the settlement of the state, that a Constitution was formed by the people of the then colony of Connecticut, before the Charter of King Charles.
It was to our fathers like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land--it has enabled them to transmit to us a fair and glorious inheritance--if we suffer revolutionists to rob us of this birth right "then we are bastards and not sons.
We have a Constitution--a free and happy Constitution.
Could you see them approach their dust with such language on their tongues, you would see them retreat with horrible confusion from these relicks of departed worth.
Let Judd and Bishop approach the sepulchures of these venerable men--let them lift the covering from these venerable ashes and in the face of heaven pronounce them TYRANTS!!
At that time his language was, The Constitution of Connecticut is the best in the world--it has grown up with the people, and is fitted to their condition.--Now this consistent man who is endeavoring to gull the people that he may…
Let such remember, that when the Ethiopian shall change his skin, when the Leopard shall change his spots, and when bitter fountains shall send forth sweet water, then will those who flatter the people with their tongues, and deceive them…
Thus a people enjoying the height of political prosperity are cajoled into a belief that men without virtue, without the restraints of the gospel, without a particle of real regard for their fellow men, are their best friends, and are…
At one time men destitute of property are seduced by the alluring doctrine of universal suffrage--then the farmer is told that taxes are too high on land, and, with the same breath, the mechanic is sagely informed, that the poll tax should…
Such meanness, such baseness, such hypocrisy in office seekers, exhibit in strong colors the depravity of human nature and teach us what dependence may justly be placed on pretensions and professions.
Yes, men who urged the people of Connecticut almost to rebellion on this account, stept into the places and, without a blush, took more from the people than their predecessors.
These calumnies were kept in circulation by their authors till impudence itself was abashed, and the object in view obtained--not a tittle of proof was ever adduced, and investigation always shewed that the charges were not only false, but…
Men of the most unsuspected integrity, were openly attacked by anonymous publications, or dispoiled of their good name by secret insinuations.
Even the illustrious Saviour of his Country was accused of embezzling public money, and his followers could not expect a less happy fate.
To create disaffection and hatred towards those who formerly administered the general Government, it was boldly asserted that the treasury had been plundered.
This party always address the passions and never the understanding.--Review their measures for a few years, and you will distinctly perceive their motives and aims.
The object is, by false assertions, to induce a belief that no Constitution exists and that tyranny prevails.
This project originates entirely in a spirit of Jacobinism--it is a new theme on which to descant to effect a revolution in Connecticut.
A still more mischievous and alarming project is, that of making a new Constitution for Connecticut.
It will not here be forgotten that the attempt is, to reject men long known and respected, and to fill their places with those who are without a witness in their favor.
Do we see in a single individual an assemblage of talents united with virtue sufficient to qualify him for the seat of justice?
An appeal may be made to every man not bewildered in this new and destructive madness--he may be asked who among these men stand-forth with fair claims to public confidence?
If we are directed to turn our eyes to those who for years past have been held up in the unsuccessful nominations, and are told that these are to be substituted for the men who now guide our Councils, what are we to expect?
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