The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-08-12
Letter from VIM. SIade.

LcIleT IT0IIl w Ill, Dlduc.
The following letter from Hon. VIM. SLADE,
Wing Candidate for Governor in Vermont, was nd-
dressed to the Muss Convention at Sheldon. 1t is
commanding expression of lofty sentiments and inn
portant truths:
MrDDLEBURY, July 10, 1874.
Geo, Frederick Houghton, Esq.
Dear Sir: Your letter in behalf Of the Wing Com.
mttee of Franklin County, inviting me to attend a
Mass Convention at Sheldon on the 9th inst. has
been received. have delayed from my
strong desire to render it affirmative, ir could ind
it possible to dispense with other engagements long
enough to allow the pleasure of meeting my
friends at the contemplated gathering But find my
self compelled decline your invitation, the duties
ofmy office being ut present, too urgent to admit Of
any relaxation.
! shall long remember the pleasure I enjoyed in
my visit TO Sheldon in 1910, and should be exceed
ngly happy again TO minge with my fellow citizens
Of franklin County, and commune ~h them con-
corning the grent matters of national interest which
now occupy the public attention. The contest Of
this year, need not say, exceeds, in importance, the
contest Of lS40 for there superadded TO the ques
tons Of that year Others Of great and absorbing inter-
est. The question Of Protection to our Industry Then
little discussed, has come TO assume importance
which makes the Protective policy leading theme in
contest severe, protracted and hazardous than
any Tariff contest, pei haps, which the country
witnessed, the Wings of the XXVIlth Congress sue
ceeded in establishing Tariff, whose adequacy for
Protection, and whose beneficial influence upon the
exhausted Treasury and the deranged exchanges Of
the country, the lapse fless than years has a.
buudantly attested. That Tariff, need not say, is
in danger OF destfuctionat lens, iaSo much danger
there is danger that opponents shall triumph in
the pending contest. The undeniable hostility of
their Presidential candidate TO the Tariff Of 1912
brings the question Of its destruction TO issue
which cannot be avoided Shall that Tariff stand,
with changes but such its cautious friends
may find, experience, tho equalization Of Protec-
ton to all interests demands? or shall it be swept
from the statute book, was attempted AT the late
session Of Congress are questions which suspen
ded upon the discussions aud decisions of this very
year. know there not wanting efforts to make
it appear otherwise to the people of VermonteiIors,
in fact to show that the very father Of the Protective
policy hus become indifferent TO its support while his
rival for the Presidency whose whole public career
has been marked with undsgused hostility TO il, has
become its friend. The discussions of this year will
dispe this delusion; and while they demonstrate, iC
demonstration now be needed, the adequacy Of
the existing Tariff, will show who are and who are
not the true and reliable friends Of this great interest
am glad TO the people awake to this subject,
and iOiced to witness their disposition 10 gather in
mass meetings to discuss it. When they come thor
oughIy to understand this great question they will de-
eide it rights and they will determine that il is safer
TO commit this interest TO its old and tried friends,
than to trust to professions made for special oc-
casion.
But there is a and fearfuly important question
which has been suddenly thrown before the country,
to be decided in the present contest. | mean the
question Of annexng foreign nation conleder-
acy-a question involving, as il to me- nothing
less than the very existence Of this Union. The
summation Of this project, which awaits the triumph
of our opponents in this years contest will be tantu
mount 10 an act declaring the Union dissolved; and if
actual dissolution does not follow, it will not be
ing to any cohesive power in the Constitution after
the confederacy shall have lost its identity in the
and monstrous connexon with foreign state.
There is aspec; in which this measure be
viewed, in which it does not portend evil and yet
there thousands who suddenly going for il,
with as much confidence as though they had made
this great questionable greatest, in fact that ag
ated this nation-the study of their whole lives In
the facility change thus exhibited upon question Of
the greatest conceivable moment to the country there
is ground Of alarm, extending far beyond the limits Of
the question itself What may not the power Of par
~ accomplish, If it work the wonder of suddenly
raising up, as by magic friends to such measure us
this What is to become Of our country, II its high
est interests thus TO be made the sport of pary
If men be thus moved in masses and moved in
to line, at the bidding party leaders, do not ask
this question in the spirit of party. No!-no! This
is matter which rises far above all party considera-
tons, and appeals TO a higher sentiment than ever
found place in the bosom Of mere partizan. Oppo-
sition to this gigantic scheme is not among the things
which may be given up for the sake of securing some
good which party may aim to accomplish, and which
only be accomplished by party union. To hold
on to party union, with such sacrifice, would not
be "unon for the sake of the Union, but union with
the certainty of its destruction.
need not say that the Of our opponents
in this Presidential election would be the success of
this measure. Their candidate has been selected for
the very purpose Of carrying it. He is committed to
it irrevocaby. And where is HENRY CLAY !-op-
posed 10 it; and opposed for reasons of perpetual
force The act of taking stand in opposition to this
measure, has given him claim 10 the conf
dence of the nation. He has in effect said let us
strengthen and consolidate our present Unlon rather
than hazard its existence to extend and perpetuate
the institution of Slavery. Mr. Clay does not wish