Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-04-23
DISSATISFACTION or the DEMOCRACY

DISSATISFACTION or the DEWG CRACE
II any additional proof of increasing subscr-
viency of the national administration To the
pro-slavery power and sentiment were wanting,
that deficiency is fully Supplied by the speech
of Hon. John Hickman, of Pennsylvania, OK
tracts from which VIC psel,sh in another column.
Mr. Hickmaa voted and laborcd earnestly for
the election of Mr. Buchanan. In common with
other lesdirs democrats, both north and south,
including Gov. Wise of Virginia. he understood
that with the advent of the new administration,
new leaf was to be turned in the regulation of
the domestic affairs of Kansas Territory that
the plan OF introducing slavery there by cxccu-
tive dicta,ion and executive patronage was to
be abandoned, and that the people of Kansas
were TO be left free to elect their own form of
government. Under this general understand
ing Of the views of the administration, Robert
j. Walker was appointed Governor, and +. p.
Stanton Secretary. Matters went on smoothly
until the President in an evil hour listened to
the demands of the ultra advocates of slavery,
and, reversing his policy, gave such new instruc-
tons as compelled Gov. Walker, who was a
man Of too much character to be bob to the
Presidential kite, to resign his commission Mr.
Hickman with other influential democrats sus-
tanned the course pursued by the governor, and
when the President endeavored to force. by
brides and threats, the Iecompton constitution
upon Kansas, he refused to be a party to the
transaction.
Mr. IIickman's speech is interesting as fur
nishing at least an indication of the course that
will be pursued by the anti Lecompton demo-
Gratis in the future. That they will support Mr.
Buchanan it is idle to believe; and it is equally
certain that they will not desire to be represent
ed in the Charleston convention upon any basis
which the administration democracy are likely
to propose or accept The difference between
the two sections is too radical to be bridged
over by political platforms.
On the most important questions of public
policy there is but little perccptible difference
between such ant-Lecompton democrats as
Hickman, Haskin, Adrian, Davis of Indiana,
and others that might be named, and the great
mass of the opposition to the present admins
tration. Both sections are equally hostile to
the encroachments and increasing demands of
the slave power to executive dictation and in
reference i'll elections, to the stealing of Cuba
and to the free trade notions of the democratic
party. Upon these questions a union can be
effected which will result in change of admin
istrations and in a corresponding change in the
policy of the government
A short time since several Of the administra-
ton papers published series of calculations
tending to show that the democrats would be
able to organize the next House of Representa-
tives. To make out sufficient number of
democrats Hickman, Adrian, Haskin. and other
anti-Lecompton democrats were reckoned in
with the supporters of the administration. If
any democrats are inclined to look to these
men for aid and comfort they will do well to
read what Mr. Hickman has seen fit to say of
the Buchanan democracy. If after such pc
rusal, they find any grounds for claiming for
their support they are fit subjects for the most
laundering confidence men to operate upon.
The fact is eyeryindication points to the sue
Cess of the opposition in the next Presidential
campaign With prudence and conciationthe
result is as certain as any future political event
can be. The democracy are disorganized in the
North, and united on slavery only in the South.
The only band of union among them is the
spols of Office, and even this will not be strong
enough to hold together the opposing sections
much longer.