Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-04-21
TIE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION PARTY

The delegates to the democratic national
convention have all been elected, and they have
oil probably arrived at that hospitable, chivalrc
southern city where the convention is to be
held, and where they are to suffer and bleed in
the cause of democracy to the tune of ten to
twenty dollars per day. In less than a month
the national republican convention will be held
at Chicago; and one of these two conventions
is to name the "coming man." and to determine
which of the two great political parties is to
WELD the power and patronage Of the general
government for the next quadrennial period, if
not, indeed, for many years to follow. To the
results of these conv entions the attention of
the great mass Of the American people is anx-
iously directed.
1t should be borne in mind, however, that
there will be other nominations for the presi-
dency, and other tickets in the field. The Sab
otionists' will not so far depart from former
usage as to neglect making nomination; the
disunionists or "Fire-eaters" of the South have
proclaimed their intention of taking the field
as distinct organization under certain contin-
gencies which seem not unlikely to arise, and
then there is the constitutional Union Party"
with cali signed by nearly all its members,
and whose convention, both in time and space,
is to be held midway between Charleston and
Chicago.
The "Abolitionists" and "Fire-eaters" are too
well known to need particular description. They
are two distinct, repellant forces, located in DIFF
ferent zones and hating each other with cor
dial enmity. Rather than not succeed in their
wishes they would gladly see the union Of these
States rent asunder and confusion take the place
of the general government. Fortunately these
two parties are and ever will be too weak to eff
feet any considerable change in our national
polity. Their political actions is a matter of
more curiosity than interest.
The Constitutional Union Party" is the most
singular organization known in the history Of
politics. 1t is chiefly composed of an ndepen-
dent corps of gentlemen, each one of whom is
field officer, who pays heavy taxes, is slightly
rheumatic, eminently conservative, votes the
democratic ticket occasionally, takes his wine
regularly, has most profound regard for wealth
and social position, occupies the best seat in
fashionable churches on Sunday, and during
the remainder Of the week bends the knee alone
to King Cotton. In convention and at the polls
its appearance is not like that of other parties,
but it more nearly resembles council of war,
where all are officers and there are no priyates.
Their party speeches are neat, grammatical and
constructed according to the known rules of
rhetoric, although they usually fail in logic
Their resolutions are drawn with elegance and
precision, however tame and meaningless they
may be- Their appearance indicates precisely
their status-a parlor party unprepared and un.
fit for the duties and details of active every day
business.
1t was these very gentlemen, of whom the
Unconstitutional Union Party" is composed, who
were chiefly instrumental in the death ant
burial OF the old Wing party. Affecting lead
ership in politics by hereditary right rather
than by their service in the ranks, they have al
ways held themselves above the masses, ant
aimed to rule after the manner of autocrat
rather than as chosen leaders. In the surgint
of politics which followed the humiliation o
the Wing party these gentlemen found them
selves completely adrift. Since then, like
flock of wild geese thrown out of their cours
by violent storm, they have been moving frs
in one direction and then in another, all tn
while uttering all manner of discordant sound
which some timid souls have been weak enoug
to construe into dire forebodngs of politics
anarchy and dissolution, but which, in fact ar
nothing more nor nothing less than their ow
wailings at being lost in the fog Of politics, OF
of sight of the commonest landmarks and il
capable of making any useful observation.
This constitutional Union Party" woul
long ago have gone over to the democracy ha
il not been for the fears its members entcrtaine
of soiling their "white kids"by being compellc
to shake hands with the ''great unwashed."-
They have several times looked their willin,
ness to join the republicans if they could do
the naval officers Of IoAas proposed when tn
State was admitted into the Union, take the
rank into the United States navy,-rather thu
be reduced to the condition of privates. Sin
neither of these ends could be attained tn
have concluded to $50 it alone" In Massach
sets they have appointed delegates to the BE-
timore convention, and have ramed Mr.. Eve
EFT and Mr. Crittenden as two gentlemen eth
of whom they are willing to support for t
presidency. In Indiana John Mclean is nam
by this party for president, and John Bell
vice president.
Co for &c tho rasult IF tho national alonti
is concerned we apprehend it is a matter of c
tire indifference who act with this "Constit
tionai Union Party" or who are its candidat
1t is not Of sufficient Importance to be dignif
by the name of the "Third Party"
TILE CHIRL ESTON NO NM TLON