The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-21
Letter from Boston.
BosTON, Dec. II, 1860.

BosToS, Dec. II, 1860.
To the Editor of The Caiedon,an.
The city has just elected new mayor, and
some may infer that the democratic element
here is at premium, but when it is recollect-
ed that SO large proportion of the voters
who are interested in the business and vel
fare of Boston reside in the suburban cities
and towns, thus leaving the Irish population
to control its government, the result is in
great measure explained. The elections are
not conducted upon straight party principles,
though many may suppose this to be the
case.
The anniversary of the John Brown affair,
which came off after its fashion in its season,
has occasioned considerable discussion out
side of our limits, and vas important chiefly
as furnishing specimen Of suppression Of
free speech, which will not soon be forgotten.
The Rev DR. Eddy, who is Baptist clergy
man of very conservative views, and who has
declined hitherto to take any part in the IN
cendia,y meetings connected with this event,
was present and protested earnestly against
this attempt to cut off discussion. 1t would
have been better, perhaps, to have allowed
the meeting to be holden, without Interrupt
ton, and the result might have been like the
enc in New York, which was attended by on
ly "a persons.
Among the interesting circumstances at
tending the meeting of the electoral college
ofthis state, was an address by the Hon Geo.
Morey, its president, and a gentleman lorS
and !avorably known in the literary, political
and legal circles of the city and state He
>aid-"One feature of this campaign, which
marked the proceedings at the polls, when
The presidential electors of the several states
were chosen, is Of most gratifying charac-
ter. Perfect order ard decorum seem to have
prevailed everywhere. This was in remarks
bic contrast with what has sometimes occur
REQ in former elections. No disorders were
witnessed, even in any of the large cities
No distractions were thrown in the way of
voters, and all qualified citizens were able to
reach the ballot box, and cast their votes
without molestation. All attempts at fraud
appear to have been everywhere dscountc.
uarced. and very few, ard those of trivia
nature, were perpetrated." The occasion was
one of great interest-the members writing
The name of the candidate for whom they
voted, rising and reading it aloud. and then
depositing it in the box. When the poet
Whittier, who was one of the electors, de-
posted his VOTE there was considerable ap
plause.
The course pursued by the Union party,''s sc
called, has doubtless done but Little to con
c:liate the South while it has been but li,tl.
ess than downright treason to the North,-
though the strict definition of the word in
this country, happily,is confined to overt act.
alone, and does not attach to opinions. Th.
conduct Of Caleb Gushing has been peculiar
~ inopportune and unreasonable. An &C
quaintance, writing from Newburyport, thu
residence Of this distinguished man, says
Mr. Gushing looks to war as inevitable. liz
regards it as the only mode of subvertin8
bad manners, and overthrowing bad men,
tie takes sombre and almost Gesperat,
view of political matters, but We must make
allow ances for disappointed ambition. W.
must bend to the blast and hope for som,
great Pacifcator, as Clay, or Webster t(
stand up before the nation, and wave thu
white flag. But where shall We find the ma,
# character and influence to command tn,
respect and claim the confidence of all par
ties ~
1t seems that the grand jury Of Montgom
cry, Ala, "has presented the Federal Gov
eminent as worthless and impotent nui
>ance," and worse still. We are informed tina
forty thousand dollars has been raised in
Southern city to procure the assassination O
the president and vice president elect as wa
publicly stated.
If those who claim SO much in the way of
refinement. conduct in this manner, cur Nor
rhern hot heads will soon be thrown into tn
:, shade. The correspondent of the Star, VIII
wrote so much about the offensive clause il
the Vermont fugitive slave law, would hav
made himself understood better, had h
named the subject of discussion, and also tn
article from the Patriot which called out hi
remarks.
The weather is exceedingly cod here, AM
in spite of the reports ofthe telegraph moth
ing in the country equals it. H.k.