The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-11-01
THE GREAT CRIME.

mont approach the ballot box 20 exercise the
right Of all citizens in a republic, the utmost
order will prevail. The sancjiry of the law.
guaranteed by :he Constitution. and environ.
eel Fy icsl! enactncnts, will be sacred,v
maintained. Each freeman will feel the mo.
n"n'ous Obligations which resi- upon him to
exercise his elective fran ,hise As in the SIGHT
ri heaven: and Lv a. much as he values that
privilege and Understands the true relation
he holds ~ The State, bv so much will he be
.'eaions OF the slightest infringement Of the
very least right secured to him by the Con-
stituton under which he lives
As the treemen 81 this State approach the
ba!lot-box in such spirit. let them reflect
that, sacred as is the right of suffrage to
them. and dear as are the liberties which il
alone has the power to maintain. no less sa.
cred. and in no wise less dear is the very
same right 10 the citizens of Kansas. entitled
. to its exercise by virtue of the same Consti.
tuition whose protecting n.s covers the whole
land. Let them remember how frecmen there
were driven from the polls how tyranny,en-
forced by DO Sie-knfe, revolver and rifle, u
surped the ballot boxes in that whole Terri
tory; how peaceablc men, for daring to ex-
ercise the rights for which our Revolutionary
Patriots fought, were DISTINGUISHED by force
and arms; and how rampant ruiani>m, ile-
gally and tnmutuousIy. like an Eruption OF
Cloths and Eandals poured from the border
States to overpowcr by numbers and strength
the aetna! legal voters of Kansas. The re-
membrane OF this cEIME-this impous OUT
RAGE upon free born .1merican ciitieens, should
stir all hearts that day. 1t is the giiant crime
the blacklist in our national history, for
which the administration of Franklin Pierce
stands now arraicned. From its magnitude
1t admits of no classification. 1t is blow
struck at our dearest ri.hts-an assault upon
the very altar of Liberty. As a centre piece.
although surrounded by minor crimes of al
most Incredible enormity--bv larcenics. rapes
burhlnHs. and murders, - it nevertheless
transrends them all in power to work ruin to
the country, As much as the welfare of the
nation is OF more importance than the safety
OF single man. Ii crimes like this IAN be
PerPetrated in Kansas without punishment
what guaranty, citizens Of Vermont, have
YOU that similar attemp: might not be made
upon your rights if the same motive existed:
Were you the victims. would the enorm,v Of
the crime be in any degree increased? From
Your hearts we hear you answer. no. The
men Of Kansas are our brothers. TLev have
gone out iron. us to extend the boundaries of
our ben. iirtnt institutions Like us, they
reverence law, revere the Constitution. and
submit to all legally appointed officers. But.
Ike us, the rights OF American citizens are
sacred to them, and no, to be tamclv snrrcn-
dcred. And row that the time has arrived
when the frteEen OF the whole c0un'rv are
called upon to sanction or denounce til" out
RACES Inflicted upon chem. and to brand with
inltmv. or encourage to more dangerous cx.
resseS, the perI'ctra:ors-- we saw. is the
time TO utter our determined protest a.ain>,
the repetition OF such crimes
Freemcn of Vermont. such is one i>su.
presented for vour decision next Tuesday
The case is plainly arprehenicd by YOU all.
In few words it reads thus :-The administra
ton of Franklin Pierce, Supported by the
sham democracy Of the North. at the demand
of the South. and for the express purpose of
extending the area o! human slavery. repeal
ed the Missouri Compromise of 1920, and
then by repeated acts of wanton cruelty, O.
pen and systematic oppression, usurpation
and wrong, have endenvoled to fa,ten the
curse of slavery upon the virgin soil of Kan
sas. In this unholy crusade against equal
rights, and the Heaven born liberty which is
the hlrthright Of every man, this a,lminstra-
ton has caused to be committed, and this de-
generate democracy defended, crimes against
the purity Of the ballot box that only sure
ty Of the liberty of the people. This charge
has been clearly proved. You well know ev-
cry clause in the Impeachment, and by your
vote on the Fourth of November will show
how YOU value the bequeathed rights Of your
fathers. In the clear light of conscience, and
by the solemn dictates of duty. let your votes
be recorded. 1t is your country that calls,
and may God defend the right.