Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-05-24
G5e Utrmont pbanif.
BRATTLEBoRo, VT.
SATURDAY, MAY "a, 1850.
UNION.

new aud important era in the history Of our
government, and IN that Of the parties by
which il has from time to time been admins
tered. Those questions Of finance, currency,
tariff, internal improvements, and annexation
OF foreign territory, heretofore constituting
the elements upon which national campaigns
have been won or lost, no longer present
themselves with Sufficient forco 10 divide the
attention of our statesmen. Even the present
immnence of war with foreign powers Is
nearly lost sight of in the still greater inmi-
nence in which Freedom and Free institutions
arc now placed. The subject Of Slavery
now absorbs all oihefs, and its extension or
limitation is the only practical issue pre-.
senting itself for our consideration in connec-
ton with the selection Of proper candidate
for the Presidency.
II IS needless to consider at this lime all the
causes by which this state Of affairs has been
induced, or inquire into the precise amount of
responsibility TINT each party should bear. 1t
is sufficient for our purpose to know that the
present national Democratic party, represent
ed by the existing national administration, has
made. acquiesccnce in the principles Of the
Nebruska-Kansas bill, including, of course,
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, the
test Of political orthodoxy with It's adhcrents;
and that the Kansas yillanies are but the le-
climate result Of such action. The issue be-
tween Slavery and Freedom therefore has
been forced upon the opponents Of the adj
ministraiion In manner aud to an extent for
which they are in no way responsible. This
issue, we are happy TO say, has been very
generally accepted by the North, and will be
acted upon 10y its freemtn at the ensuing Pres
ideniinl election.
With the subsistence Of the old party meas
ures ihenames 10y which these parties were
distinguished, have lost their chief significance
The divisions heretofore separating Wings,
Freesoilcrs and such Democrats as are hos
tile to the policy Of the administration have
now ceased TO exist. Upon minor matters of
national policy their difference of opinion is
not Of sufficient moment to prevent concert Of
action; while they are united to man in re-
sisting the eIcroachments Of Slavery.
Ia the present crisis, when the Slasc power,
the administration, aud the oiiice-holders are
all linked together, il appears to US to be the
duty Of the frerncn Of the North to lay aside
all partisan names having tendency to pro-
ducc division, and to unite firmly in the sup
port of men and measures which shall
make freedom national and Slavery sectional.
II is only by union that we can make our in
fiuence felt. Ia this we may gather nm in
structive lesson from the conduct of our OPP
ponents. Let not their example be lost on us.
In this Stale especially, there is not mate
rial difference enough between the American
and Republican parties To prevent a complete
and cordial union. The platforms of both
these parties, adopted last year at their re-
speetive conventions, recognized the usurpa-
tons Of Slavery, as manifested in the repeal
OF the Missouri Compromise and in the con-
duct Of the administration in reference to Kan
sas, as the paramount object Of opposition.
Whichever party shall now attempt TO place
obstacles in the way of such union will de-
monsirate the insinceriiy of its Professions
But we apprehcnd 10 division. IL is appar-
ent that with little concert of uction between
the two parties Of this State, who are thus
identical in their views, on the issue of the
day, concert OF action can he effected which
will result in an unprecedented unanimity of
the vote Of Vermont in the Presidential con-
test.
To complete such union it is important
that all the delegates to the several conven-
tons, and oil who act for and in any manner
represent the people, should be men of wide
views and moderate craftsmanship; men who,
while they are ready to stand firmly upon
principle, will at the same time be prepared
to make such concessions to each other, as
may be necessary for thesuccess of their com
mon cause. At 10 time has the exercise of
wisdom, discretion, and sound common sense
been more apparent than nj the present time.
We want men to conduct our affairs who are
best adapted to the present emergency, men
around whom the masses will cheerfilly rally,
but nor because Of their previous partisan ser.
vices. With such councils and such action
we think success is within our reach.