Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-06-07
Ggt Dermont 45enir.
BRATTLEBoRo, VT.
SATURDAY, JUNE Z, 1866.
THE Spirit OF THE PEOPLE.


The recent political conventions in this
State, the meetings in this village Of Saturday
and "Wednesday evenings, and the conversa-
tons Of our citizens, all betoken breadth
and depth of feeling in relation to the present
crisis Of public affairs, which, so far as our
experience goes, is heretofore unparalleled
At some previous periods We have seen far
greater demonstrations of enthusiasm; very
often have exhibitions of banners, shouts and
huzzas been more frequent aud loud. Il has
not been unfrequent at such conventions and
meetings to speak Of the chances Of success,
and to canvass the comparative merits of those
who are named in connection with the highest
office within the gift Of free nation.
All this is changed. Men come together Mt
this iuncture to express their Indignation at
violated laws and outraged rights, and to con-
denim those whose misdeeds have effected
these direiul results. Women, even, assemble
to learn the story Of the wrongs their brothers,
sisters and sous, have suffered from those high
IN office, and TO rebuke the authors of such
calanities. Freedom from slavery, and free
power, are the themes which fire their breasts
with adherence, mud animate their hearts TO
avenge these wrongs.
Al our conventions the cause was every
thing aud men, so far as personal preferences
were concerned, comparatively nothing. The
man who is right on the great subject Of the
day, and the only question upon which the
Presidential canvass hinges, aud who will be
likely to concentrate the most strength, is the
man our people will desire to see nominated.
They are not looking out for the loaves and
fishes of office. Such things will not weigh
one feather in their selection. They are ami
mated by one common principle, aud that is
TO redress, if possible the wrongs and outrages
which have been Of late perpetrated by the
Slave power, and TO prevent their recurrence
in the future. Like Crornwell's soldiers they
are serious and collected on the eve of battle;
like them they will ''irust in God and keep
their powder dry"
The meetings in this village were Of an I'M
usual character-unusual in their object and
as unusual in the character aud department of
those who attended, 1t was the hrst time
s'nce tho days oil the Revolution mat c'''zens
were called upon TO devise why's and means
to defend their brethren against domestic Ices
II was the first time that their ears ever lis
tened to the tidings that United States Sen
ator had been cowardly assailed and beaten
near unto death IN his seat int the Senate Cham
Der, by satellite oil Slavery, representing IN
part one OF the sovereign States In Congress,
and that the act was applauded by nearly all
oil his party IL was the hrst time That their
ears had been PANIED ny the reports oil the
outrnges OF inc "Dorder ruiians'" 20 destroy
ing hour'sh'ng ciiy IN one oil the Territories
oil tue United States because us 'nh"o,-
'an's 'o'eu irceuoni oe"er Una" slavery. u
was 'be hrSt time they hah heard 'hat those
VINO had opposed these assaults were now
lingering I'D prison unuer inc ena'ge 81 n'g"
''eas'n' "unPeu up "y 'nos' VINO 90 'ne u''-
mo'N VI ''e P'e's"' "u'','"'s""'.o"'