Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31

18th instant. Mr. Hickman has always, we be-
lieVe, since he entered public life acted with the
democrats down to the time President Buchan-
an made the Lecompton bill test of party
fealty, lie could not be an actor in such per-
fdious scheme, and hence he was ostracsed and
branded as a traitor. In his speech above re-
fcrrcd to he explained the test of democratic
orthodoxy as now applied so that all can UNI
derstand it. Here it is in nutshell:
81 have been in this House long enough to learn
many things which / never could have learned at
home, and think it has perfected my education upon
one point; have learned that man may support ev
cry measure Of Democratic Administration and vet
If he shall vote against single interest of Slavery, he
ceases ipso frcto to be Democrat; but Il he vote
against every measure Of the Administration, and will
sustain the interests of Slavery, he so fato good
Democrat | put that n Gods naked truth before
this House aud before the country, ana intend to
stand upon 1t as Il solemn conviction"
There is the why and wherefore of "all this
fuss about Slavery" Believing that it is an in
stitution both impotic and unjust, and that il is
but mildew and blight to any territory over
which its dark shadow rests; and believing,
moreover, that its preservation and perpetuity
is already made to unduly influence the ordina-
ry and legitimate functions of government, the
Republicans have made opposition to the cx-
tension of Slavery the primal article in their
political creed. While conceding to the South
ern States the right to enjoy Slavery to the full
est extent to which they are capable under their
own local laws, they hold the doctrine, old-fash-
Toned though it be, that the Constitution was
framed to promote tie blessings of freedom,
lbertyand equality, AMI that it cannot rightfuly
be made, nor should It be prostituted TO. an in
strument of personal, political and moral deg
radiation.
Opposition to the extension of Slavery is
living practical issue 1t has not expended it.
self in securing the freedom of Kansas. 1t has
yet foes TO encounter, battles to fight and new
victories to win. SO long as the dicto of the
Supreme Cont that the Constitution carries
Slavery into all the territory OF the United
States whore it is not excluded by positive local
law-thus making Slavery n national institution
and Freedom a sectional exception-is accepted
by the democrats and made not only dogma
of their party, but the tombstone by which the
fealty of their adherents is to be gagged just
SO long will opposition TO the extension Of Star
cry form an inseparabe portion of every Re
publcan's textbook.
Among those who are opposed to the pro-
Slavery character and tendencies of the demo-
cratic party there is no diversity of opinion as
to the propriety or policy of this principle; but
there is more or less diversity of sentiment as
1, tho host ,,opuar of mol inn, ,1i,,t,.1 III.
point is very wisely left in allegiance by the Com
mittee in their call. AS each new case shall
arise some practicable mode of solving the
problem will be presented that will be undoubi-
eddy satisfactory. "Where there is a will there
is way"
With the Tribune "we especially rejoice at
the decision with which this call takes up the
insolent challenge which the Disunonist Dem
ocrats have flung down before the country. 1t
shows that if, as seems now not unlikely to be
the case, the Presidential election is to turn on
the question whether the majority of the coun-
try shall govern it under the Constitution. or
whether the democratic party shall be allowed
in the even, OF its defeat at the polls, TO over
throw the Constitution, disrupt the Union, and
plunge the States into civil war. the Republican
party will be found firmly planted on the i'm
movable ground of the Integrity Of the Nation
and the supremacy Of the laws. Thus, bearing
at once the banner of the Union and Freedom
the advent of the Republicans to power will
bring with it the restoration to the Republic of
peace and prosperity at home and of dignity
and respect abroad