Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-07-14
REPUBLICAN, NOMINATIONS.
PRESENT CONDITION OF POLITICAL
PARTIES

PRESENT CONDITION OF POLITICAL
PARTIES.
Since the subsistence of the turmoil and tran
sition consequent upon national conventions, the
political elements arc rapidly clutering around
their respective centers of attraction, and the
canvass is taking on the forms and assuming
the shape which indicate the final result. The
issues which divide the several political parties
are fast crystaizing into that distinctness which
will enable every one to select Understandings
the candidate and the principles which shall
command his support and his vote.
The republican party, the controlling organ
ization of the North, is united and harmonious,
and its ranks are fast filling up with fresh re-
cruits from the other political organizations
Every paper that supported Fremont in 1856,
supports cordially and enthusiastically Lincoln
and Hamlin in 1860. Besides these nearly all
the Fillmore organs of the last campaign and a
fair sprinkling of democratic newspapers of that
period are now actively engaged in the dissent
nation of republican principles. Among them
all not discordant note is heard, but. they are
jealous, earnest, hopeful, and even confident of
victory. Four years since our party was doubt
full of success. Republican papers were con-
stantly filed with calculations of the result in
certain important States, and were as often en-
gagged in figuring how we could possibly get
along and lose this or that local election with
out entirely hazarding the result. Now all this
is changed With a reasonably certain prospect
of victory before us our chief object is to seek
how best we can give practical effect to our
principles, and secure for them permanent as
tendency in our national councils.
Our opponents, the once proud, boastful, de-
FAINT democratic party, are now hopelessly di
vided, and instead of directing their energies
against the republicans, are seeking the most
effectua manner in which to destroy each other.
They present the condition of two great fac
tons each contending for the spoils of Office,
rather than of two political parties anxious for
the maintenance of sound political principles
The Douglas wing embraces the larger portion
of the democrats in the northern States, and it
has the prestige of being the regular organiza-
ton. 1t unfortunately for itself controls the
party only in those States which are sure to
cast their electoral votes fof the republican
didate. In nearly every one of these States ont
of New England measures are being taken for
the organization of Breckenridge electoral tick
cts, and those engaged in the business are coun-
tenanced and aided by the ADMINISTRATION
mlt,) OF the ability OF Abraham Lincoln to carry
every northern State except California against
the combined united democratic party, the run
ming of two democratic electoral tickets renders
his success beyond a reasonable contingency.
The southern, and of course democratic
States will support Breckenridge and give him
their votes, with the exception of two or three
in which the Beleverett ticket may possibly
have plurality. The men who were counted
on for Douglas at the time Of the last Balti-
more convention, such men as Andrew Johnson
of Tennessee, Clingman of North Carolina,
Fitzpatrick of Alabama and Pryor Of Virginia,
have given in their adhesion to Breckenridge;
and from present indications there will not be
enough Douglas men South by the second Tues
day in November to cast as many votes as he
Will get IN the New England States. The fact
cannot be concealed that the southern is the
orthodox wing of the democracy. 1t controls
the democratic States, and will control hereafter
the honors and emoluments that shall fall into
the hands Of the party. Democracy and slave
code are to be made synonyms.
We have lately seen an estimate, made by
well informed politician, of the probable result
in November; il strikes us as not being far
amiss In this estimate all the free States, ex-
cept California, are given to Lincoln; all the
slave States except Maryland, Tennessee and
Missouri, and including California, are given to
breckenridge; Maryland and Tennessee are set
down to the Belleverett ticket while Missouri
alone is doubtful with the chances in favor of
its going for breckenridge. Not single State
is allowed to Douglas; and for the life of us
we do not see where he is tolerably certain of
an electoral vote.
Such is the appearance of the canvas as it
presents itself at this time, and of the condition
and prospects of the political parties of the
country.