The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-11-15
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

The late Presidential campaign was enter
ed into by the Republican party for no tenn
porary purpose: and hence their defeat,
which Id, in it many OF the elements Of VIC
tory. is b, 10 means disheartening. 1t would
have been miracle had 20 great work as
redrrrning the country from the control Of
the slave holding oIiSarchy been accomplish
ed in the short space of two years Great
truths ever advance slowly immense masses
OF mind are not spontaneously set in motion.
The advance OF the anti slavery sentiment
in this country is as good an illustration Of
thi, as can BE- found. Compare the vote cast
for James G. Birney in 1910 with that given
to John L. Fremont in 1856, and the im.
mense progress Of the cause will be seen. -
The question is not quite the same now as
then. but in all the history Of the intervening
years. the relation Of cause and effect is clear
Iy to be shown. With every new demand
Of the South with every new attempt to
strengthen the institution Of slavery with
every measure designed to augment the al
ready prepondera'ing influence of the South
in the Federal government, masses Of intel E.
lisent men have been driven to join the ranks
OF those who, while they cherish no illiberal
sentiments towards the South, nor desire
to infringe single constitutional right
which tshe enjoys. still claim the right and
feel the dury Of preventing the further ex
tension Of slavery and Of resisting the con-
rnual Entertainments of the slave power. -
From few thous ,nds in number, the friends
Of Freedom have increased till they comprise
a majority of the voters of the country, and
were only defeated in the late election by
the rea'hery of the Fillmore faction.
Under these circumstances, defeat is very
nearly victory. To have carried the six
New England States, tn. State of New i ork /,
and almost the entire North West, - States
comprising the wealth, population, intelli-
sence, tand the benevolent and educational
institutions of the Cnion,-i. a triumph Of
no small magnitude. Against the fearful odds
in opposi'ion-the popular rallying cries, the
government patronage, the thoroughly drill
ed and obscquious officials, the prestige of
former success and the total humiliation of
the party in case Of defeat,-in the face Of
all this, the Republicans almost achieved .
victory. They went into the contest without
organization they come out Of it majority
Of the popular strength of the country. They
have demonstrated that the North can be n
nited. They have almost cxtinguished the
race of doughaces. And, what is of more
value than all the rest, they are now prepar-
cd to stand fast by their principles till they
shall see them carried into effect in the actu.
al administration of the government Had the
Republicans succeeded in this election, the
man question at issue would have been de-
cil,i at once and forever. The agitation on
the subject of slavery would have speedily
subsidized. \ strong conservative party would
have sprung mp at the South, and the chains
whlch completely enslave the poor whites in
the slave States would have been gradually
loosened. The despotic rule OF the slave oil
garchy would have been broken, and the
masses in those States. relieved from their
thraldom, would have inaugurated system
of education and enlightened institution:
which would have paved the way for bette1
things hereafter. The Territories would have
expanded into great and thriving States. PEG
pied by an industrious population Of thrift.
frecmcp. The furious demands Of the Soutl
for the re-opening OF the Slave Trade, tn
seizure of Cuba, Central America, ard ever,
other desirable Slave territory, would bav'
been silenced. The country, in peace a
home and abroad, would have been free L
pursue its great mission for the development
of its ilimltabe resources in commerce, man
ufactures, and agriculture.
The election has been decided otherwise
and the struggle must still 60 on. What shap
it will assume during the next four years, W
know not. The destiny Of the nation is i
the hands of Mr. Buchanan and his adviser.
From his known character, and the doctrine
to which he is pied ged, we confess there
little to hope. Of his administration "
wish to Judge in no partisan spirit. II b
shall /" act justly and do that which is right,
. even those who opposed him will find n
fault. But convinced as we are that the right
of the North, hitherto disregarded, must {
ventuaIIy be respected that the freedom o.
debate, the purity of the ballot-box, and tn
security Of life and liberty, must not be IL
fringed with IMMUNITY, the independent mas
8 es ofthe country will hold him and his part
to strict responsibility for every Gepartur
: from the >trictest rule of impartial justice.
!: We anticipate no rest tor the country vi
der The administration Of Mr. Buchanan. =
The battle has got to be fought out. Th
North, t>'d hand and foot though she be-
the Executi We, the Judiciary. the Senate, an
the House, all against ber,-has no though
Of surrender. T.u,h never dies. lis lisl
is no metcoric flash, but like the sun in b
MONDAY bri ghtness and woe to him VII
mistakes an eclipse for to, al observation.
the light Of truth and reason this grave que
. ton mast he decided. and that at no dlstau