Channels, Fall 2019

Channels • 2019 • Volume 4 • Number 1 Page 37 thoroughly partisan in Vermont. Haynes studied and concluded that men ought to assume the political office by consensus of the people rather than solicitation or control. Moreover, Haynes feared anything to do with France because of their infringements on the rights of their own people. George Washington exemplified the ideal kind of leader, a man who contested for the rights of his country. In Civil Government Haynes made it clear Washington was his personal hero. Haynes portrays two details in Civil Government that give clues about life in Vermont during the time it was written. First, the general attitude towards the Federalist Presidency of John Adams had fallen into question for various political crises on a national level. Second, the citizens of Vermont had grown “bitter” against the national Federalist government mainly for infringing on the longstanding sovereignty of Vermont. Haynes delivered Civil Government as an attempt to stem that tide and to promote the erection of a national federalist system of government. “THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF TRUE REPUBLICANISM” 1801 Amid the changing political climate, Haynes accepted an invitation to speak three years later at the celebration in Rutland on July 4, 1801. In True Republicanism Haynes listed five qualities for an effective government: “wholesome laws faithfully executed, neutrality of the states, free and independent, held sacred, education and diffusion of knowledge, secure the natural rights of man, and religion. A republican government has its basis in this.” Haynes spoke passionately, saying “this is the day, fatal to tyrants; its influence will extend to the remotest corners of the globe, and tell the groaning sons of despots that they may be free.” 24 On that Independence Day celebration Haynes hailed the inherent virtue of American society, denounced tyranny, and praised life, liberty, and property. Haynes implored the good citizens present to work for what he called, “True Republicanism.” Haynes lobbied because he felt it was his duty as a Congregational minister to defend Christian orthodoxy, uphold order in society, and support a return to the system of government in place under Washington and Adams. By 1801, Haynes expresses in True Republicanism how he clearly feared a marriage between the French nationalists and the American Congress. The clear cause of this fear lay not just in the election of the first Republican president, Thomas Jefferson. The power struggle happening between Britain and France was trending towards a French empire. A prominent general named Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to gain land for France in Europe and North America by land and sea. 25 France still held massive tracts of land west of Appalachia. Haynes blessed God for preserving America to this point from monarchal 24 Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, “The Nature and Importance of True Republicanism” 83-85. 25 In True Republicanism Haynes warns against a society dominated by individuals given titles or increased status by wealth or primogeniture. This revulsion to status is part of the reason Haynes held such great respect for Adams and Washington. Both men rejected the benefits of having large estates and slaves at their disposal in order to serve and establish the American republic. Washington wielded control of the military but rejected unnecessary power while pursuing political harmony. Haynes felt a National Federalist coalition would end slavery in New England and eventually all thirteen colonies. “Palm upon an aspiring mortal the flattering titles of King, Prince, Lord, etc. merely because he was born under a more splendid roof or lay in a softer cradle, than his neighbor, has more gold in his chest, and his farm is wider at both ends, or what thro’ mistake has a higher parentage, he will at once forget the only test of true greatness, and only value himself on his being able to tyrannize over others, and can look down on his own species with contempt. This at once throws the balance of power into the wrong scale and enervates (weakens) the bands of society.” Haynes and Newman, Black Preacher to White America, 81.