Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-09-15
The Result and its Causes.

| all others, OF ] ! 900 or more, and we do not
| look for any great difference in the vote for
Fletcher and Bates. The voice of Vermont is
unmistakable at home or abroad 1t will
| have its influence in other States whose cleo
tions are yet to be held, and it will not be
soon forgotten by those in her midst, who
have been willing to sell their birthright of
freedom for such pottagc as the most corrupt
and dangerous Administration which this
| country has ever seen, deals out to it's I'M
derlings, as a reward for their own treachery
and as means to cajole and deceive their
supplemented followers
a, for the Democratic leaders in the CAIN
paign just ended, we give them very little
credit for sincerity. Their steady repetition
of the deceptive phrases of their chiefs at
Washington, and the ohstinacy with which
they have stunned all discussion of the real
point, OF the case before the people, prove
that they knew better. Their sin was not
one of ignorance, but of will Among their
| followers, few are az knowing and as cor
| rupt as the leaders themselves, and willingly
co-operated in all their tricks and misrepresen
tations There are many others who have
| great faith in the democratic party" as
such, and as they read but little except their
own party newspapers, the film is yet on their
| eyes. They voted honestly on the wrong
| side. In time they will see their mistake,
and work for freedom and justice as they now
worked against them.
There were Othcrs-in some places not n
few-who, like the major part of those who
voted the Democratic ticket in this town, are
innocent of all political knowledge whatever.
Differences i'll National or State questions they
know no more of than they do Of the writ
ings Of Coniucius. Accustomed to praise
democracy in Europe, they call themselves
democrats here, and vote accordingly, even
against their own interest. and real .enti-
mcnts. Their leaders speak the word, and
they obey. To the number made up from
these groups, must he added such members
of the Frce-soil or Free democratic party as
have at all times really sympathized with the
party now holding the power of the nation in
their hands. If they could not have inhu-
ence and power in party of their own, they
would naturally return to the tribe from
which they sprung From these three sources
came the minority vote for Clark, Mattocks
and Pagr-greatcr thanit ought to have been,
and greater than it would have been, had the
election came n month or two later.
The vote for Royce, Fletcher and Bates de-
serves a scrutiny both because of its unrre-
cedentcd majority, and because it comes too,
with lcss entire vote for Governor than has
been polled once or twice before, by about
$4,000. Last year even, the entire vote wa.
about 5000 greater than it was this year
The majority uote of this year is made up from
three sources, If we look to the party organi-
cations Tor some years past, but really from
one, II we look to the deepest and broadcast
stream Of sentiment which run. through the
hearts Of the American people, viz, their love
of justice and freedom for all men.
The Nebraska bill WAS passed into law by
the force OF II Democratic Administration.
aiding to its utmost the Slayeholding inter-
ests of the South. From that moment line |
OF political division which for some wears had
existed in this State, was substantially broken |
down. There remained no good reason why |
the Wing, and the Free Sellers should stand |
in position of contention. There was moth
ing in the shape Of principle left that wa.
worth contcn1ing about, if regarded in
practical sense. Both felt that an inmen.ur-
able wrong had been donc-both said n fear
ful danger was over the nution-not a danger
for year or for one Administration, but for
generations probably for centuries, to come.
10 avert this ii possible-to rctrace every
step winch had led to it, as lar as rightlully
could DO done, was felt to be the greatest of
all duties. Little good could there be in any
iault-hndings for the past Earnest and hear
ty concurrence for the future was the great
duty of all
In this state Of thing, the Wing State Con
vention met in large numbers at Rutland. To
take firm step forward, and to show by their
acts that they would call every man brother
who would work heartily for the cause was be-
lttlnS those who had for so many years held the
point power, and even then far outnum-
1ered any other party, in the State. The res
buttons which they passed and the ticket
which they put in nomination, showed their
and sincerity What they did.
hey did freely, asking for nothing, stipula-
ing for nothing leaving il for every mans
wn Judgement and conscience to tell him how
vote when the proper time should como. 1t ,
ouid not he fairly charged upon them that I
heywere AFRAID defeat unless hy some means q
hey could secure important aid from their t
primer opponents No intelligent man in the ' :.
tate thought such course needful 10 sue ,,
ess, and the result has shown that success a
'as in their power if they had set up Z" a clean i
Ing ticket Some few indeed, insisted ON a
lat us the true course, but the mass of the n
emhers said no, If We are strong, that is J.
20 very reason why we should be generous. q
great work 10 before US. There must he no G
aste OF energy ; lot tncro bo no divisions y,
here irankncss and kindness can prevent
rem. y,
a Ike spirit was shown by most oc those 7
the tree-soil party. la some form or an ~
her a corresponding action took place in the h.
untics and in the towns. These who be- a.
'ved alike and felt alike, worked to the same +
d. as 'he result shows, with good faith and N.
good will, Ii
But that is not all Though the Democra- pc
party, through its organs in Vermont, de- u
lded the outrage committed by Congress, n,
Il pointed to future acts to he dnne i'm ngr.n al