The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-02-03
The Platforms of 1860.
The Republican PlatiOrm--The Demo.
cratic PlatiOrm.-The st. Johns.
bury Platform.

ADDRESS TO TIE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES. BY A UNION SAVER
We find the following in Detroit paper j
This is an age Of Platforms, in Politics, in
Religion, and in business. All the talent
and genius Of politicians is being exhausted
III the formation of a platform that shall be
acceptable to The various political elements
OF our country--one which the majority of
the people will endorse in the great political
battle that is to bt fought during the present
year.
The two belhgerent parties are soon to
meet in National Councils to examine. repair,
alter and reconstruct their old platforms,
and make ready for the approaching con-
tilct.
-Four years since the majority in ill.,
terest in the ancient, time-tri.d and time
honored Wing party gave notice of a final
dissolution. and closing up Of its political
affairs. A Cuu,e ,enlion was called by ma
jori,y of Stockholders, at Philadelphia IL
thorough examination was made Of the toun-
da;ion and ,imbers Of that platform, once
halowed by The presence of Webster, and
Clay, and hosts genial spirits, who stood
by their common country iii its brightest and
darkest days. Ever! timber was sound, its
! foundation mistaken. l, had been scarret. a
little Ey the grape and canister Of the Demo
cratic party, yet it was not worthy of being
condemned Oh accouu: of decay, or any 9TH
er impcrlec,ion.
1t was, however, considered too large anc
unwieidly to be of service to the new party
now TO be built upon its sacred ruins. Ii
was resolved to divide it, and with saw and
axe III the sac,ilegious hands of Commit
tee, it was divided in the centre, the southern
portion torn into pieces, and its pieces CON-
mitted to the flames Of southern indignation.
The remaining one half, or northern half
wos newly braced, some alterations made in
the planks, a few extra bolts and keyes in.
serted, then chris,ened the Republican Par
ty. On this narrow, one-half platform raj
lied all the political remnants, odds, ends
and scraps of every political party that had
ever existed Broken-backed, tender-footed
sors-headed, superannuated Democrats, one.
eyed AboIitionists, and old line Wings. Min.
listers of the Gospel, women and children
negroes aud aliens, all rushed OH to this flag
less platform, until every timber bent, and
every bolt cracked and fairly groaned under
the mighty load.
The Democratic party met at Cincinnati,
and overhauled their platform, found some
leaky places and decayed planks. Consider
ing its age, it was in good state of preser
vation, and with a few screws and planks tn,
Convention erected new National Flag,pro
; nounced the platform 10 be all oak, and lie
her slide"
The Democratic party selected Bucharal
and Breckenridge to lead the Democratic ar
my, and the Republicans, Fremont and Day
ton to lead The Republican hosts, aud at tn
, sound of the political bugle the fight com
menced. "Ahd such "a" battle! This one
half northern Republican platform let sli
the dogs Of war : Republican orators noun,
r ed the rostrum IN every city, town, by-wa,
J monk a, d corner. They Numbered on III
Democratic Empire everywhere. Out OF thri
i. mouths poured melted stream Of Republ