The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-09-21
johnson and DisuniOn.


johnson and Disunion.
In another article We have shown Oh the
authority Of a native Georgian" how far and
on what conditions II. V. Johnson, the Doug
las candidate for Vice President is an ayow-
ed dlsunionist. He abides by the Georgia
resolutions 1850, which are likely to become
as celebrated as the Virginia resolutions of
'9S, which contained the germ of notification
One of the conditions on which Mr.. John
son stands ready "to disrupt every tie" which
binds the confederacy together, is the repeal
or material modification of the fugitive slave
law. This matter is too serious one to be
passed over lightly. If there are any north
ern democrats SO debased, so lost to every
manly sentiment Of independence, as to ex-
press their approval of such doctrine, why,
we have no word to say them. What We de-
sire to do is to disabuse those who are inca
pable of entertaining such views, and vet are
disposed to support the Douglas ticket nom-
mated at Baltimore. We are aware that it
is not Johnson they think or care about
it is Douglas they look up to and wish to
support.
Now we are not going to contend that
Douglas entertains the same disorganizing
sentiments. Perhaps he does not. At any
rate We have evidence that he does. But
gentlemen, you cannot separate Douglas AMI
Johnson. They are to be elected or defeated
together. In every state where Douglas is
strong enough to justify the running of a
ticket for him, Johnson will accompany him
in the race. A Douglas ticket is everywhere
a johnson ticket, and rics re,sa. You can.
not then vote for your favorite candidate,
without at the same time voting for an avow-
ed disunionist upon certain contingencies.
Further, it should be considered that the
Vice President is not mere nominal officer
without important duties to perform, and
therefore whose opinions are of little or no
Importance. He presides in the Senate, the
highest branch of the Legislature, and in that
body has casting vote, which has often de-
cided, and may often decide, the fate of mea-
sures Of the greatest importance to the coun-
/ try.
In another point of view, that post has a
greatly enhanced significance In case of the
death or disqualification of the President du-
ring his term, the Vice President becomes a,
once the first instead of the second officer in
the government, invested with all power, pat
ronase and responsibility attached to the frs,
Officer. Twice in our short history has this
contingency happened, if We may without ir
reverence use that phrase. Once when John
Tyler, and again when Mllard Fillmore wa.
elevated from the second to the first Office b,
the Providential removal by death, first of
Gen. Harrison and last of Gen. Taylor. Wha
has occurred may occur again.
You see it is impossible therefore to screcr
yourselves from the act of deliberately sane
tioning what we are willing to do you the
justice Of supposing you would not willingly
sanction, under the plea that the mischief i.
only contingent.
Is there single democrat in this region
that is SO bigotedly devoted to a law which
carries on its face gross insult to the com
mon humanity of our natures, and is beside.
in the judgment Of many of our profoundes
jurists, Gov. Seward among the number, un
constitutional, that he is willing, rather thai
see any material alterations made in such
law, to have burst assunder the ties tina
bind US together as nation, and introduc,
all the horrors of civil war and bloodshed
If there is an! such he can consistently vot
, for H. Y. Johnson for Vice President.