Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-07-13
Democratic State Convention.

SIT at the same board.
Democratic State Convention.
This Convention came off formally on Tues.
day; but the battle began at preliminary meet
ing on Monday EVENING" second edition in
of the Baltimore Convention, border
ing very nearly at times upon general row In
short, for the first time in Vermont, there was a
public demonstration of division in the demo
cratic ranks-a recognition of t,co democracies,
called in New York by the euphonious names
of Old Hunkers and Barnburnrs. Stephen S.
Brown of st. Albans E. d. Barber of Middlebu.
ry Lucius E. Chttenden Of Burlington, and a
gentleman from Milton, whose name we do not
know, took strong grounds for the Wilmot pro-
viso and denounced GrN CAss. We did not hear
Mr.. Browns opening, which was said to be very
strong. Mr.. Barber argued the matter well: he
regarded the question to be simply this --wheth-
er the democracy must support CAss ard sacr-
flee all their principles in reference to the ex-
tension of Slavery-or abandon Cass and stick
to their principles. This was the issue forced
upon them by the South, and by Gen. Cass him
self in the Nicholson letter. The Baltimore
Convention might have avoided il might and in
his judgment ought, to have presented candi-
date unshackled and left the question to Con-
gress-just as the Wings have DONE thought we
but they had forced a choice between Cass and
principle -and he was for sticking to principle.
Mr. B. was interrupted, in no friendly way but
it only stirred up the fire within him, and elicit.
ed fine peroration which carried the house by
Storm and brought out grand burst of applause,
even against the prevailing under current of
feeling. Mr. Chittenden spoke very handsome
", and argued the Wilmot proviso with good
deal OF ability effectively quoting and con,rus-
ting the opinions of men learned in constitution
al law with the positions of the Nicholson let
ter. The founders Of the Constitution, nearly
all our Presidents, and jurists such as MARSHALL
KENT and STORY, all had affirmed the power OF
Congress to the fullest extent federal terri
tory; and it had remained for Le,uis Cuss to
swallow his own speeches and announce the en-
tirely new discovery that Congress had no con.
stitutional power 10 act at ALL Then, said he
emn sanctions of his official oaih-Lewis Cass
as President would be bound to veto any act
prohibiting slavery in territory now free and
is the very man Of whom Mr.. Dillingham; in Oc-
tober last said, and solemnly invoked God to
witness the declaration, that no Northern Demo-
crat could ever support him.
On the Hunker side, Judge Villas of Chelsea,
Judge Cobb of Stafford, and Judge Moves of
Morrstown, were conspicuous. They contenled
themselves with advocating the necessity of ad-
herring to the party, and endeavorcd as well as
they could to dodge the Slavery question, by
such stuff as is to be found in any late number
of the Patriot: but the spiders webs were deuol-
lshed without mercy. The speakers endeavored
to be courteous; and the Ci1irman Mr. Kidder
of Orange Coy tried TO keep order; but the
Barnburners were grossly insuted, particularly
by Judge Cobb, who denied their right to sit in
the Convention and advized them to join the
Wings These and like insults only provoked
still stronger declaration of resistance to Cass
from the other side. Finally, one of the Hun.
kers rose for third time, to support the g hero
of llull's surrender" and the audience by CON.
mon consent quit the house.
Thus ended the first chapter.
The second chapter was like unto the first, and
so on until the end Tuesday morning the Con.
vention opened in form, and evidently by a pre-.
concerted movement,) Hon. Levi b. Villas (old
liunker) was put into the chair. We pass over
| tl,a formal 40 a.
Of the matter
Hon. Paul Dillingham; Jr took the floor, ant
in brief speech declined running as a candid
ate Tor Governor, it would interfere with his bu
siness; but besides that he didn't agree witt
the Democracy on certain important points. Il
he main he accorded with the sentiments O
MARTIN VAN buren,.
Sundry Of the old Hunkers deprecated this
movement of Pauls if he didn't exactly site
to all the notions of the party, they would site
to him.
s. II. Price Esq. of Windsor spoke ably 70
an hour and half The Wimot proviso wa
the great question of the day, alb sorbing all 9th
ers; and if Gen. Cass and the Democratic part
are fathless to the country in tn is emergency h
must and would quit both
Hon. Stephen S. Brown of St Adams, was
Barnburner too, and stood on the same grount
He warned the Democracy that if the Rubico
, is passed now there would be no return. II
said that Gen. Cass could not get forty votes
the town of St Adams
In the afternoon long and bitter fight ensu
t ed about delegates from Swanton. There wer
two sets, Barnburners and Old Hunkers 1t ha
been whispered by the Old bunker leaders, an
especially by the Patriot Junto, that every Barr
, burner was TO be ousted-"we'll put our foe
upon their necks," said they But it was awl
J ward ousting men who had regular credential |,