Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-18


The Baltimore Union Convention had somt
brief talk on platlorms-o''as, declaration.
Of principles
FgED. ". GRAYsoN, of Pa. thought when he
came here they had moro important work than
tno Presidency. They had to organize a great na
tioutl party, ami when il tTiumphcd he wanted
II TO do SO upon principles. He could lot agree
take any man, 10 matter what his aniocodents, ,wh,
did not stand fairly on the platform OF recognized
principles The Interpretation and meaning Of the
Constitution were involved in the contest between
tie two existing parties. They differed as [
whether Congress Lad power to logisla;e Ia regard
TO slavery in the Territories. (Hisses) He was
not going into tuls subJ.c.. (Laughter) hat
he meant was that this [ Uulca party should Ignore
that aisturl in. issue. Therefore before they
nominate, they should pla B., themselves ou Piat-
f Inn If constitutional principles. (Applause.)
Mr.. Co0Nus WAS 50 thoroughly impressed with
tie imp rt4uce ct pa.t1rm that be hal prep red
three tor tue Democratic, Republican, AMI Consti-
tu ional Union PARTIES Fur the harmonious G.
uOcracy be would present the Virginia resolutions
OF l7YS-99, with two iutiuuS on Savvry-ono
TO keep II out OF the Territories and one 10 force
slavery into tEem-tO be adopted under the e.
yious question, and no questions asked afterwards.
Second for tle 'Irrepre.s conflict pliauthro-
piss, be pr posed the blue laws Of ConuecticIt
with two notifications, In regard to kissing wives
on sunday and burning witches-it being under
stood that all the pretty wives might be kiss d.
and only the old witches burned. (GTeat Taught
er) For the Constitutional Union patty he pro-
posed the Constitution II Is, and the Uni nov
and forever (Great aPplause)
The surerla,!vc wItot Hon LESLIE CooMEs,
considering the occasion, cannot fail to be
appreciated by every man # common sens
and good ste. Mr. SWAN Of Maryland said
if the subject of platforms was to be entered
upon, there was much to be said He should
r,pudiate all platforms but the Constitution
Tney were here to repudilte ultraism Of both
tie North and the South. When we disre-
gard that, and when we repui'ate the dscis-
ions Of the Snpreme Court, then it was time
to break up and g home.
Mr.. SwlrzLtR Of Miss. sand his State want
ed no rlatform-wouli be satisfied with a
proper candidate. ERAsrUs Brooks Of y Y
did not wish to discuss the merits of either
candidates or platforms. Experience showed
be said that party platforms were invented tc
deceive the people-to wear one face at tbs
North and another at the South The true
platform was the Constitution as interpre-
ted by its Judicial authoritj9s The people o.
the country are heart-sick and headslck at
what are called party platforms, At Charles
ton tie Democracy literally denounced then
own forgery. In New York the Republican
had two classes-one conservative, who IA
yorcd the Fugitive Slave Law, AMI addressed
themselves to merchants and the manui'c-
turing classes, and another class who preach
ed the higher law in the rural districts.
Ar. Erastus Brooks is so well known as
perfectly guileless, truthful unselfsh an'
simple hearted man in everything that re
latcs to politics. that his remarks must have
had weight on the Convention. and canno
fail of an appreciation at their trae value b,
the country at large.