Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-04-19
Gbe UtrmOnt 9banit.
BRATTbEBoRo, VT.
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1856.
SYMPTOMS or A REFORMATION.

The Democratic papers Of the Northern
States have so generally defended the admin.
istraiiou in its crusade against the Free State
settlers of Kansas, and in the support il has
given to the interests of Slavery elsewhere,
that we had long since given up all hopes of
witnessing any exhibition of principle and
freedom in the expression of indi1 idual opinion
in any case where party interests are at stake.
The discipline of the Democratic party is so
perfect that il admits of no independence of
action, and scarcely of thought, in its indiyid-
ual members. 1t toltraies no appeal from
the cdicts Of caucus majcritics; but seeks to
stiile every true aud manly sentiment that oc-
casionally hints doubt ns to the Instability
Of its DEGREES. As leader of this party tyr
amy the chief Of the present administration
is one Of the most conspicuous. When john
P. Hale would not become a seryilc tool in
the hands of the New Hampshire Democracy,
and with them assist the slave power Of the
country in the annexation of Texas, be was
thrown overheard without ceremony, and
Franklin Pierce was one of the advisers to
John Atwood, the then nominee of the Dem
ocra,s of the same State for the Office Of Gov
ernor, expressed his dissent from the lustness
Of the principle involved in the Fugitive
Slave law, Franklin Pierce summoned him to
Concord aud then made him sign recanta-
ton Of his convictions; but this rccantation
not being adhered to, he too was decnpitated
and another man put in nomination. Since
that time until the present day but few indi-
vidual members Of that political communion
have had the courage TO express any doubts
of the orthodoxy Of oil the articles of its po-
liiieal creed, for the time being, however Of
ten It may have been revised or changed.
Amid all this suhser,ieney Of men. and Of prin-
cple, to party aud its interests, it is refreshing to
witness at the present time an occasional protest
however icebly uttered il may be- Two weeks
since We published an article from the Worcester,
Mass, Pailiism Zone Of the ahlest Democratic
papers in Massachusetts, which did not hesitate
to uphold and defend sentiments that the leaders
Of the party pronounce reasonable Ia another
column is an article from the Chicago Democrat
WYNN nlNNh' ioA A7'AAih AVhc1 hot 10 bt hl.AAkeu.
The Detroit Free. Press also, the organ Of the
Michigan Democracy, after saying that ''ifhe (ihe
Presdenr could not find the best legal authority
to protect the people Of Ranlas in their guaran-
teed rights, there was no necessity ofaaording aid
and comfort to the Missouri invaders, who de-
stroyed those rights by arguing in special mes
sage to Congress. the legitimacy Of The invaders
legislature concluded is article as follows =;
"But the President should pause long before
treating as Unreasonable instruction" the action
Of those inhabitants d Kansas who deny and re-
pudate the binding authority Of the laws Of the
Missouri Kansas Legislature. For, in our AEm-
Die opinion, psopie that irouh not be iNcfiEed 10
resei against The acts Of iegiilaiire 6oly forced
upon then by frdui aud Vioieace troulibe Haioor-
ny ne name Of .fmerieua. u there erer ras
Juafabh cause for popular reroIuiioa against
usuTPing aud 0bnoriogs gorern neaf, MAT cause
has existed IN KdHsas.
Even the Philadelphia Pennsyiraniaa, edited
as it is by john W. Porney, late the chief cook in
Pieree's Kitchen Cabinet" says -
Gan the democratic presses in the land, with
sea Of tnk to back them, would not be able sue
eessfally to defend Franklin Pierce from some Of
his outrageous acts, not yet made public