"Voice of a Patriot of the Revolution!"

Letter from Elder Seba Norton to Elder John Leland, Oct. 13, 1832.

Apr 26, 2024

This letter from Elder Seba Norton to Elder John Leland, which was dated for October 13, 1832, was published in The New Hampshire Gazette on November 20, 1832.

Dear Sir—Although I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, yet I have known your public character for years. And I trust that I have been laboring in the same good cause with you, both politically and morally, from the year ‘76 to the present period.
Having observed, in the public journal, the remarks which you made in a political meeting, in the town of Cheshire, and State of Massachusetts, I take this method to express my approval of the sentiments you there advanced.
I, sir, was a Whig in the year seventy-six; and for several long years, I carried my musket by my side, and fought many hard battles, with my companions in arms, in that eventful struggle, THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. We endured much fatigue and hardship, and suffered many severe privations. Many frosty nights, we lay down to rest upon mother earth for our bed, and with a cloudy or starry heaven for our covering; and although our trials were great, yet our hearts were alert, being cheered with the idea that we were FIGHTING FOR LIBERTY!
During all this struggle, the Americans were divided into two parties; the one denominated WHIGS, who contended against British tyranny and oppression; and the other TORIES, who fought for King George and Monarchy. The Whigs triumphed over the “coalition,” composed of Lord North, the Indians and Tories. They hove off the British yoke of bondage—they achieved our INDEPENDENCE, and established the free institutions of our land. From that period to the present day, I have endeavored to adhere to the same principles which actuated the Whigs of the Revolution, and to sustain the republican institutions which they planted.—I supported, of course, the administrations of Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.
I have rejoiced to see the prosperity of the country, under a government formed by the PEOPLE, and administrated by wise heads and patriotic hearts—a government, which it was supposed would guarantee to the people the perpetual enjoyment of CIVIL and RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, the natural rights of man, by a written constitution.
But at the present time our political horizon seems to be obscured. A party has recently sprung up in the South, and another in the North, novel in their names, and seductive in their principles. I allude to the “Nullifiers of the South, and the “Anti-Mason” of the North. These parties assumed a political shape about the same time, and I fear with a perfect understanding among their leaders for political effect.
I am opposed to secret combinations: and I did believe that the object of anti-masonry was to put down secret societies. With that object in view I wished the cause to succeed. And I still believe that a great majority of the anti-mason are HONEST MEN, but are politically deceived by their leaders. Hence, I shall not aid them any further in the course which they are now pursuing, but shall give my support to ANDREW JACKSON and MARTIN VAN BUREN.
I have been led more firmly to this conclusion, by observing the course which the different political parties have pursued for the year past. The first act which made a strong impression on my mind, was the rejection of Marin Van Buren’s nomination, as Minister to England. Henry Clay, the leader of the ultra tariff party, John C. Calhoun, the leader of the nullifiers, and Daniel Webster, the leader of the old federal party, all knew the fair character, aimiable manners and splendid talents of Martin Van Buren. They saw his career going on, with increasing lustre to himself, and usefullness to his country. These political aspirants, leaders of parties as opposite in views and feelings as the antipodes, and as discordant as fire and water, formed a combination to destroy and honest political rival, whom they alike envied, hated and feared.—To accomplish this, they aimed a deadly blow, as they supposed, at the reputation of Van Buren, in rejecting his nomination. By this act, they not only disgraced themselves and their country, but wholly failed in their object.
The course which has been pursued, in relation to the United States Bank, goes to satisfy my mind, that GENERAL JACKSON OUGHT TO BE RE-ELECTED. It is well known that a large proportion of the stock of that institution is owned by the subjects of Great Britain. And when I see a combination of distinguished politicians, who are leaders of political parties in this country, advocating the interests of British Dukes and British Lords, in opposition to the interests of own citizens, it reminds me of the combination formed between Lord North, the Indians, and the Tories in the Revolutionary War. IN SEVENTY-SIX, I FOUGHT THE COMBINED POWERS OF THE ONE; IN ‘THERT-TWO, I WILL OPPOSE THE OTHER.
The coalition between the friends of Mr. Clay and the Anti-masons, also admonishes me that I ought not support either of those parties. I formerly believed that the great object of anti-masonry was to put down secret combinations and societies, and to coerce our political men to act openly and without disguise, so that every person could know and see what was going on among our politicians and statemen. But how different is their conduct! The course which they are now pursuing contradicts all their former professions. They are acting in the dark, and in secret concert with Mr. Clay, one of the adhering and highest masons in the Union. The anti-masons have nominated in this State, Presidential Electors, some of whom were known to be the friends of Clay men. The Nationals, or Clay men, have nominated the same men! This shows conclusively, a secret concert between the friends of Mr. Clay and Anti-masons. The gentlemen who compose the “coalition ticket, have been called upon by some of the honest anti-masons, to name the men for whom they would vote, if elected. But they decline. They keep the people in the dark. Is this Anti-masonry? Is this opposing secret combinations? and why do they act in the dark? Is it because their deeds are evil? They know that if they name Wirt as their favorite candidate many of the honest Nationals will support Jackson; if they say Clay, the honest anti-masons will do the same. They therefore act in the dark for the express purpose of deceiving the people, to make them vote for a man whom they do not wish to see in the Presidential chair. Hence, I say, the course which the Anti-masons are pursuing, contradicts all their former professions. I am Anti-mason, and will oppose all such secret combinations. The Jackson party act openly, and I believe honestly; the whole world can see their course, and understand their object. I will support the day-light party, and not a secret coalition, who act in the dark conclave.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
SEBA NORTON.1

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